Evander Holyfield vs Larry Holmes primes

I would be surprised (not stunned) if Holyfield won one personally, but you make a good point that he is far & away the best challenger Holmes would have met in his putrid reign, & it’s not as if Holmes pitched nothing but shutouts between 1978 & 1985.

 

Not poor head state but Holyfield was expecting to face Damiani and Cooper was a late replacement, I think Holyfield underestimated Cooper and thought he could blow him away with ease.

You have to remember Cooper had quit in a few fights vs Gross, Foreman, and people wern't really sure if Cooper's heart was fully in boxing.

Cooper had a bright start at Cruiserweight being trained by Joe Frazier and had a bit of hype, but coming into Holyfield fight Cooper was considered journeyman/fringe contender. And it was supposed to be a showcase fight for Holyfield for an upcoming fight against Tyson.

As I said I think Holyfield underestimated him or maybe he tried to impress too much trying to finish Cooper early to look impressive for the upcoming Tyson right that didn't pan out for obvious reasons.

 

This is a fight I’d have steered Evander Holyfield away from he was a real jab magnet.

 

Whilst that is a point Evander Holyfield would be the most esteemed of all Larry’s Holmes opponents historically it doesn’t account for what goes on in a fight there would be fighters who’d beat Muhammad Ali and lose to Bonecrusher Smith out there.

 

How would you break that down?

 

Holmes by decision ... 42 year old Larry gave him a tough fight , far more competitive than Foreman did ...

 

Holyfield decision.. but..

I'm not sure why he looked so slow all of the sudden against slow Holmes. Like he thought old Holmes was really no challenge- and couldn't snap out of it.

 

Larry Holmes, unanimous 15 round decision. The left jab and movement by Holmes will be too much for The "Real Deal" Evander Holyfield.

 

What names would you throw up as potentially in that bracket?

 

Id suppose Ken Norton and Tim Witherspoon? Depending on which Muhammad Ali or James Smith they fought however. But it was mostly not meant to be taken totally seriously just an easy example for what I was trying to say.

 

Well why do you think that will be what Evander Holyfield will aim to do? How will he set it up in your opinion?

 

Ok all good. Personally i can't see anyone beating Ali and losing to Smith but i am talking about peak Ali not post exile. Noway norton beats him pre exile.