Where do you think he ends up being rated? When the dust has settled and Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Norton etc, have all moved on, where do you see The Real Deal being placed? I personally see him just below the big 3, slightly above Norton.
I love Norton, his style is so pleasing to me and I love all his fights, even the ones he lost. But Holyfield in terms of greatness is way above his league, Norton never officially won a title by beating the world champion, and lost it to his first title defense in a controversial war with Larry Holmes. In skill I would’ve love to see Norton v Holyfield but to put Holyfield who is the only 4 time heavyweight champion “slightly” above Norton is a disrespectful much. As for the original question, I’ll leave that to the comment section.
He would be the man until he still starts to have physical issues and Holmes steps up. Prime Evander beats a fading Ali and Frazier. I think he absolutely beats Foreman, Norton, Lyle, and Young too. Young and Norton would actually be his hardest challenges. The title is there for the taking.
1970 to FOTC Ali scores a UD in a very good fight. Holy beats Ali past FOTC, by SD 1972-1974, UD after that, perhaps even a kd with the hook. I really don't even see Zaire Ali beating the Bowe I Holy, he was just too good, to active, and too smart. 1970 to Zaire Foreman gets very aggravated and made to look bad by Holy early on (raising serious questions), but draws EH into slugging by the 4th round and wrecks him. " " to FOTC Frazier has a very rough time with Holy, looking terrible in the early rounds, but finally warms up in the middle, has to fight his heart out in the last, and squeaks by with a MD. Norton and Holy are the most entertaining imo, due to their styles. Holy darts, Norton doggedly pursues. Really tough fight to score, but Holy does land more punches (Norton lands some great jabs and the more significant power punches). A razor thin SD for Holy, one that a few folks ringside thought he lost.
Holyfield loses to all 4, he's ko'ed by Foreman and Frazier but he might go the distance with Ali and he won't look good when its over. Evander doesn't have the power to stop a prime Norton so he gets nailed. Norton was as big a puncher as Bowe
Oh I think the faded Ali and Frazier of the 70s are still going to be very hard fights for Evander. When did Evander have an easy fight? Douglas made it easy...that's about it.
