yeah man he would be tottering around bad and get bowled over - sometimes he miss-timed his in-and-out moves and got tagged anytime he walks into one the big whaling shots would start and Holy would be in big trouble fast
I just don't see what you people see in Prime Holyfield that makes you think he gets KOed. He had a granite chin and more heart and balls than just about anyone.
Foreman was a Monster only 1 Man has ever Knocked Him out and that was the Great Man Ali,Foreman by TKO against Holyfield.!!!
Im with you, except I lean more towards to stopped late. I think Holyfield gets ahead and stays ahead on points, period. Faster and more skiller, he'd rain down the combos on any version of George. To me, though its a matter of staying with him just a bit too long too many times. Foreman would try to open up with all barrels the second Holy gave him a target, and if Evander was there for one of those volleys, he'd find trouble. If he fights a disciplined fight, or even a similar fight to the one he fought against Old Foreman, he probably wins. It was George's jab that gave Evander the most trouble, and that wasnt really his favorite weapon in the 70's.
In some aspects George was a better/smarter fighter when he fought Holy than he was during his first reign, but in the way that counts, speed is the key and he monsters Vander. Stops/ko's him in 3. Vander was a tough tough tough fighter but not as cagey as Ali.
The Holyfield of the Douglas fight was a notch above the Holyfield that fought Dokes in many ways. A focused, determined Holyfield (probably an underdog vs Foreman, like he was against Douglas) brought effective combination punching (the key here) at the heavyweight level equal to anybody. Holyfield vs Douglas was swift (he could definitely catch Foreman with a punch he didn't see coming.. left hook?), strong (right cross?), flexible, a will of iron. I believe Holyfield '91, who is underrated, could beat Foreman '72.
He didn't stand in front of Douglas. He was moving left and right all night (three rounds). He had that skill.
Foreman in his prime was great at cutting the ring. No matter how much Holyfield danced and moved, he'd get cornered and KO'd. Evander also had a bad habit of attempting to brawl. Bad move against Big George. Evander gets KO'd no matter what his strategy is. He struggled against old Foreman. That says it all, really.
My father sparred with young, I sparred with Old. Different fighters, really. Young Foreman could throw brutal combinations, had a greater finishing instinct, was a bit faster, and much more aggressive. Old Foreman was actually smart, cagey, had a jab, and could pace himself. I do agree that Evander probably lands in front of Young George enough times to find himself in serious trouble, but struggling with Old George says nothing. Two different fighters, two different men.