Holyfield's accomplishments

The posts on this thread prove the point that Holyfield's career can only really be criticized by referring to losses and performances that came some time after his prime, after tough fights against bigger men, and after he'd already achieved undisputed championship status in boxing's two biggest divisions.

 

Easily as under rated as Tyson is over rated. A guy who owes boxing nothing. A true warrior.

 

That's all you should know about Holyfield's accomplishments:

Undisputed CW and HW Champion
4 times HW beltholder

20 wins over former/current (at the time of the fight) CW or HW world champions

8 wins over 7 different lineal HW champions - Douglas, Foreman, Holmes, Bowe, Tyson1,2, Moorer, Rahman.

Has 7 wins over current HOF's - Qawi 1-2, Foreman, Holmes, Bowe, Tyson-1-2

At 30 Holyfield was undisputed HW and CW champion with the record of 28-0 (22 KO), and 10-0 (7 KO) in title fights.

The one thing that tarnishes his legacy is that he retired far too late, he should've retired in 2000, after Ruiz 1, that's it.

 

If he had retired in 1997 or 1998 after the Moorer win, when a lot of people expected him to, he'd be able to boast "wins against every man he faced". He was already well past his prime by then.
Also, I think it needs to be noted that the decision loss to Moorer was hotly disputed and is definitely a close fight whatever way you look at it. I think people forget how close and controversial it was because he looked so bad in it, and never really whined about the decision. His eyes were all puffed up too and he seemed to be injured or tired throughout.
On the other hand, the 2nd Bowe fight was just as close.
But then people are too quick to dismiss Bowe's abilities too.

 

It was, but I thought the 2nd fight was too, I thought Holyfield won

 

Headbutting and steroids, quite a legacy for the Real Deal. Butthurt Tyson fan reporting in.

 

Yeah, a lot of folks underrate Holyfield for three reasons: (1) he stuck around way too long; (2) because they grossly underrate Rid**** Bowe head-to-head; and (3) because of the Moorer loss even though his medical issues during the fight are well documented and quite extreme. Far more compelling than most of the excuses that get offered for fighters here (i.e. took opponent lightly, partied too much months before the fight, etc.)

 

You could equally argue that what he did over such a very prolonged period of time was absolutely insane.

 

"He was old"! Not like Jeffries best opponents then?

 

If we add Tyson he's 3-4, Frazier a man who is consistently rated as a top 10 heavyweight managed 1-4 against great heavyweights, just for a bit of perspective.

Arguably achieved more than Foreman and Holmes post 37, around about the age Foreman came back and Holmes came back from his 2 year lay off, without a lay off. Fought a prime Lewis twice, and performed equally as well if not better (second fight) than both men did against himself. Competitive against every man he faced up until James Toney, maybe Byrd, but this was post 40.

Another point, that I don't factor in too much is that Evander is a relatively small HW or atleast was in his era. On a forum where so many of appreciate what a factor size can be, I feel a lot of you guys should maybe give him a little extra credit.

I have him top 10, if not on the very cusp, especially considering his resume, competition and strength of the era he fought in

 

Holyfield was special.

In just his 12th pro fight he beat Hall of Famer Dwight Qawi W15 for his first World title. In their rematch he stopped Qawi in the 4th round, the only other time Qawi was stopped was when he fought George Foreman (LKOby7).

At CW he went 18-0 (14) overall, 6-0 (5) in World title fights, and 3-0 (2) vs. Hall of Famers (Qawi x2 and DeLeon). At CW he beat world title holders Qawi x2, DeLeon, Parkey, Ocasio, and Booze. He also beat Olympic Gold medalist Tillman.

He moved up to HW and quickly became the #1 contender. He beat Tillis, Thomas, Dokes, Rodrigues, and Stewart prior to winning the HW World title.

At age 30 he was 28-0 (22) overall, 10-0 (7) in World Title fights, and 5-0 (3) vs. Hall of Famers. He had been the Undisputed CW Champ and was the Undisputed HW Champ. 16 years later he was robbed vs. Nikolay Valuev for the WBA HW title.

 

He beat more Lineal HW Champs than anyone. He beat 7... Douglas, Foreman, Holmes, Bowe, Moorer, Tyson x2, and Rahman. He also drew with Lewis.

 

Its typically only Americans who are so cautious

 

A TOP 3 ATG Heavyweight in my view. Very strong resume.