What if Holyfield decided to take on Lennox Lewis instead of Bert Cooper? Lewis was training for Biggs who he fought on the undercard so he would have been somewhat prepared.
Holy would win the decision, but would be pretty damn swole up in the process, staggered a couple times for sure.
Lewis would give Holyfield trouble but his inexperience would play a factor which is I pick Holyfield by stoppage in the mid rounds.
Lewis had 17 fights at this stage so you'd have to favor Holyfield. His youth and power would cause some hiccups but he's too green IMO. You would need the Steward molded version.
Don't like Lewis s chances in this fight. A little too inexperienced, imo, Holy would get himself a unanimous decision. It would certainly be a learning fight for Lennox and he'd be young enough to recover and come back.
As mentioned Holyfield would probably win by comfortable decision. And as also suggested, there was little value for either fighter in fighting each other at the time. If it had happened, I think Damiani would have given Holyfield fits for half a dozen rounds or so before running out of puff and Evander coming on strong late.
I'll take Lewis. Holyfield was quicker at this time but not quite as strong as he became later. Evander was still fighting like a light heavyweight at this time. He tended to throw some snappy flurries but he punched himself out at times. Lewis right hand is still gonna deter him from getting too frisky. Lennox stops him in the mid to late rounds.
Evander at his absolute peak in 1991 imo. He beat the older wine version of Foreman. His chin was pretty good. He resisted some heavy punches of Big George. Lewis was inexperienced. Evander by UD.
Holyfield wins. Lennox looked sensational vs Ruddock, but very sloppy against Bruno, McCall and (at times) vs Tucker and Jackson. And that was older and more experienced version of Lewis
I like Lewis here. Decision bout all the way. That jab scores the points. And that Lewis mobility. Back then Lewis used a real nice left hook in there. So I think anyway, the Lewis firepower and accuracy keep Evander honest. And Evander is not a risk taker type fighter anyway so I do not think he takes many chances trying to get inside this guy.
Holyfield via comfortable UD. He outworks, outhustles & busts up Lewis for the majority of the bout - potentially scoring a KD and/or Late Stoppage.
