How would prime Holyfield do against today's top Heavyweights

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by BrutalForeman, Aug 13, 2019.


  1. BrutalForeman

    BrutalForeman Active Member Full Member

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    Fury, Wilder, Ruiz and Joshua

    Would be interesting to throw Evander into that mix
     
  2. The Undefeated Lachbuster

    The Undefeated Lachbuster On the Italian agenda Full Member

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    And the NEW unified heavyweight champion of the world....

    The real deal...........
     
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  3. Flash24

    Flash24 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The only one who would be a problem would be Fury. His sheer size and awkwardness would be difficult for most Heavys in history. (Certainly not his skill level, which is basic) But prime Holyfield would be able to win a dec against Fury. Both Wilder and Joshua Holyfield would stop if he's at or close to prime.
     
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  4. GOAT Primo Carnera

    GOAT Primo Carnera Member of the PC Fan Club Full Member

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    Because of his limited power, he´d have his hands full. What Holyfield had over this guys was speed, coordination, temper (might fire back) and grit.
    He didn´t have the punch qualities of a Ruiz or Wilder, which made AJ a hard fight for him.
    He´d have to work hard to win against all of them.
     
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  5. THE BLADE 2

    THE BLADE 2 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I only see him having problems with Fury. Beats the rest for sure. He would also beat Fury when at his best.
     
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  6. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

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    He'd beat AJ and Wilder by KO and beat Ruiz and Fury on points
     
  7. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    Fail drug tests.

    I think he looked to have the ability to neat any of the current crop, but I thinl he was using more than you could get away with now, and it borders on impossible to say how big a difference it'd make.

    Worth noting he lost to worse guys than some of the top ones now, so I don't think he'd end up as some unbeaten force.

    I think he gets overrated for being exciting fights too. I mean could we really invision none of the current fighters beating a past it Tyson and 1 out.of 3 with Bowe?
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2019
  8. ironchamp

    ironchamp Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I don't think the current crop was capable of beating the versions of Riddick Bowe that Evander Holyfield faced nor are they capable of beating the version of Mike Tyson that Holyfield faced.

    Evander would be champion. Anything can happen in boxing but as of now I'd favor a prime Holyfield over anyone on the current heavyweight landscape.
     
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  9. channy

    channy 4.7.33 banned Full Member

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    The current crop would struggle with the Bert Cooper RIP who faced Holyfield...
     
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  10. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Holyfield was great fighter who is a joy to watch, but he's overrated. He's quite inconsistent and I don't think he'd clear out the division in any era.
     
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  11. Webbiano

    Webbiano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I guess it depends what sort of age we are talking. His longevity would bode well for him, but I still think he’d split fights with the best fighters of the era
     
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  12. Cecil

    Cecil Boxing Addict Full Member

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    At his belligerent best he beats them all.
    The biggest problem would be Fury.
     
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  13. ironchamp

    ironchamp Boxing Addict Full Member

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    On one hand one can say that in 1990 Holyfield was the undisputed Champion. And in 1999 Holyfield was unified champion and in between those years he beat Bowe, Tyson, Mercer, Moorer while picking up some losses along the way.

    Was he inconsistent? Yes.
    Did he fight up or down to his level of competition? Yes.

    But was he a stellar fighter? Absolutely, and short of being an all time great, it's awfully hard to beat him.

    I just don't see anyone in the current crop that would remain with their belt after they face Holyfield.
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2019
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