Holyfield vs Louis.

My guess is neither. I can see two or three outstanding fights between these two with both men coming away with a win. Joe Louis's elite inside combination punching ability and huge heart vs Holyfield's boxer-puncher style, solid chin, conditioning and heart that equalled Louis's. These guys would be at each other all night on the inside. Joe might accidentally get head butted a few times. Both guys could kiss the canvas. Probably one of the better heavyweight fantasy fights we can think of from an action and chemistry standpoint.

 

Holyfield would join the bum of the month club.

 

But does anyone think Holyfield has a chance if he *never* used any PEDs? I do not.

 

Why though?

Holyfield's lesser power, offsets his advantage in durability.

Sure Holyfield can stop anybody, but he is going to need to outbox Louis, and is this going to happen?

 

I don't see a major size difference between Louis and Holyfield. Naturally, they're about the same size. Holyfield is a manufactured heavyweight who benefitted from today's better nutrition. If he and Louis were of the same era, there would likely be fewer than 10 lbs. difference between them.

I don't see anyone knocking out prime Holyfield. He's been stopped but he has always taken a good punch and was never stopped during his prime.

The thing I meant about "manufactured" heavyweight is that, for all his might and body beautiful, Holyfield has never been an A-class Stamina fighter. He slows down drastically as the rounds mount. He's not as bad as Tyson, in that regard, but he does have his out-put problems in the later rounds.

Louis is certainly no guarenteed victor. If you compare Evander to all of Louis' opponents, you'd be hard pressed to fine one who would beat him. Holyfield certainly faced better competition. Also, he could move, which is something that has always given Louis fits. Holyfield is also a busier fighter than Louis and he has a slightly better chin.

Holyfield matches Louis in one other category, and that's accuracy. He sets his punches up well and delivers only when necessary, just like Louis.

The one thing that tips it in Louis' favor is that he has greater power. That much is clear. It's true that Holyfield was punching bigger guys but it's also true that he never knocked anyone dead, in the sense that Louis did.

It's not likey that Louis could stop Holyfield but, when you fight someone with Louis' blend of power and accuracy, it's hard to do what you do best. That is among Louis' greatest abilities. He can stop you from being you.

I could see Holyfield taking a points win. More likely, Louis would make a difference in a few decisive rounds, shaking Holyfield but never putting him away.

Louis W15 UD

 

He could do it, if he can do a Schmeling on him.

If it turns into a fairly even exchange, then he is going to loose.

 

Put them in the same era, and Louis is bigger, if not by much.

 

Holyfield at some point will turn the fight into an all out brawl, that's how he usually worked during his prime, Dokes, Bowe, Cooper, etc, and Holyfields superior punch resistence will be the deciding factor...

Not exactly an ideal fight to bet the Mortgage on, but It's Holy for me, by close decision, Joe hits the floor at least once...

 

If it were possible to make this fight via time travel when both were prime, it would probably be one of the most sought after fights ever, and certainly one of the most exciting.

 

I like Louis great counter ability and body head variables. I see an action fight but a Louis stoppage

 

Yep.

Evander can take shots to the head. What he doesn't handle is bodyshots. And Blackburn isn't going to miss something like that. Body work pays dividends and Joe comes up over the top after those hands drop with a punch Evander doesn't see coming. And the ref stops the bout around the 10th.