stylistically I don't think anything would have changed and so neither would the result. In the first fight most scored it 9-3 and in the second fight it was at best 7-5 (I had it 8-4), so that's about a 16-8 score over the two fights. But had they fought earlier, when Holyfield was busier, it would have been closer than the first fight and similar to the second fight.
No it wouldn't have been any different in 96 because Holy can't out box LL, and the latter isn't going into the trenches to suit Holy.
I think LL was always a bad match up for Holy. That said, Holy was so good he would make it a battle even in defeat. When Holy went to Heavyweight he became a monster. So much stronger. Plus he really didn't loose too much overall quickness for the first few years, he was still quick. What he gained is overall power in his punches and his ability to push guys around in the ring. Without that I think LL has a easier time. Either way LL was a bad match up for Holy. LL's range was so good. He could hit you relatively easy with real powerful blows. Not blows that would knock you out flat most times. Blows that were accurate, from long range and very fast. Blows that will damage you to keep simply walking past to find a way to score against him. That sucks when trying to fight. Every time or most that you come in your going to take damage and most times you come in you will not be accurate delivering your damage before your held up and separated. So no, I think LL would of beat him in 96. Maybe not ever by knock out. Maybe not ever by totally shutting Holy down. But by decision after great effort by Holy.
Yeah, I don't think much would've changed. I'd like to add that Holyfield's confidence, or even cawkiness, was at an all time high when they met in '99. Didn't God tell him he'd KO Lennox in 3? But he was definitely up for the rematch.
Now put the Holyfield of 92 in there and I think Holyfield would have a great chance of getting Lewis out of there. Lewis could only dream about fighting with the same intensity as a Holyfield firing on all cylinders.
Great matchup. Lennox would use his height and reach to win a decision just like he did a few years later.
The Holyfield of the late 90's might have had a few stylistic changes which made him slightly better suited to be competitive with Lewis. But I'm not sure that it was a replacement for the kind of youth and tenacity that he possessed from 1988 - 1992. Evander had precision, high work rate, stamina and was hungry for every opponent he faced during that time frame. It would have been an interesting night to say the least
Lennox has caught Holy with THAT right hand numerous times in both matches. Uppercuts, hooks, straight rights, series. He just didn't have the power to stop Holyfield. Fact. Lewis is great puncher, but he's not Earnie Shavers.