Evander Holyfield vs Jack Johnson

Can’t see it myself. Holyfield even if he can’t get him out of them will be far too busy to lose a decision.

 

You may be right but that's a juiced up Evander .. that's why so hard to fairly rate him .. it's like how would Johnson do if he loaded his gloves ..

 

Johnson's clinching and mauling ability stood out vs shorter men or older men. It did not translate to men his size or larger in their primes. Or vs mobile boxers. We can see the films. Johnson didn't push Moran around and didn't even try to clinch/wrestle with Willard.

Holyfield at 215 pounds would be the best Johnson ever fought.

Was Johnson a defensive master? Not vs a skilled Jack O'Brien who out jabbed him. O'brien's footwork made Johnson's clinching a near nonfactor in their match. Johnson made a crude Ketchel and Flynn miss on film but you don't need that much defense to avoid those wide and telegraphed punches.

I do agree he was smart and crafty. A rule bender, and fast. But he has to throw and land to win here, and I think Holy would be the best-skilled opponent he faced, and one of the better punchers too.

Holyfield was better off without the juice vs men his size. I do agree, the PED issue clouds his achievements somewhat.

 

Is Holyfield used to fighting 40 odd rounds though?

 

45 rounds in Havana in 1908 or 12 rounds in Vegas in 1990?

I can see this going a few ways. It could go a bit like the Holyfield-Holmes fight, as someone else mentioned. Holyfield wouldn't enjoy fighting Johnson. Jack wouldn't let him counterpunch and he definitely wouldn't brawl with him. Maybe Holy's aggression and punch output wins the day, as Jack did have a tendency to coast in fights which could cost him.

 

Johnson never went past 26 rounds and he lost that fight. 15 or 20 rounds, I'd still pick Holyfield.