prime holyfield vs prime Wladimir Klitschko

Holyfield was a great, very fast combination puncher, who in his prime ('90-'93) lost only to Bowe; a Superheavy and top-flight boxer on his day, who brought his A-Game on that partiuclar night. That fight is still listed as a classic heavyweight bout, easily making the top-twenty of all time.

Even as Holyfield's best began to fade, he managed to frusrate a still fairly dangerous Tyson twice and was competitive on two occasions against a Lewis, who was coming into his own at that point. These are great fighters in their own right. Thus, Holyfield is not average and a prime Holyfield would be some light years ahead of any opponents Wlad has ever faced.

One can wishfully and wilfully speculate all they want about what Wlad could do against such a level of opponent but the reality is that he's never come close to facing anything like the challenge Holyfield would present and we have seen how Wlad Klitschko handles a little bit of pressure from even a slightly game opponent, with fairly fast hands and reasonable power - It ain't all that well.

 

What specifically is Holy so much better at than AP?

Povetkin hits as hard as Holy.

He has a very extensive amateur background just like Holy.

The only time AP was dropped was against Wlad. Holy almost got dropped by Bert Cooper.

They are about the same height.

Povetkin throws good combos.

AP has beaten everyone he has faced except Wlad; which is several top 10 fighters including previous titlists.

AP has good stamina.

Don't try to make Holy field some unbeatable legend when he lost 10 times in ~55 fights.

AP is a great fighter and would definitely hang with Holy.

 

Correct!

Peter was a significantly less capable Boxer than Holyfield.

 

Yes, we have. Wlad destroys them (see Haye & Povetkin bouts).

Both were "game opponents, with fairly fast hands and reasonable power".

 

haye was game against Wlad?

AHAHAHAHAHA!

 

So what is Wlad going to do, stand there?

Holy doesn't do well against tall heavies and Wlad has proved he can beat speedy, powerful heavies that are skillful such as Haye and Povetkin.

Oh look...I've destroyed your argument.

 

I like Povetkin and he is definitely one of the better Heavies of today but prime Holy was far more agile; had a broader offensive armoury; was a much greater combination puncher and operated at a superior level to Povetkin. There's no comparison in their styles and ability levels - whatsoever.

 

The HW Champ that hasn't got knocked down in over 10 years?

 

Yeah.

But since they are nothing alike Peters match against Wlad gives us no little indication how the match with Holy vs. Wlad would go

 

Of course there is.

Its not like fighters of past are some unbeatable gods

 

^A genuine 'laugh my t!ts off' moment.

David 'my pinky toe was sore' Haye was as game as a rabbit in the headlights and a prime Holyfield would have annihilated him at both Cruiser and Heavyweight.

If you think bear-hugging/leaning/lying on your opponent for two-thirds of the fight is akin to destroying them then you need to take up watching another sport - like Sumo.

Povetkin, as I have suggested in a prior post, is not comparable to Holyfield - at all.

 

If I recall correctly Peter was bleeding profusely through his mouth and his face was incredibly puffy; it hurt looking at the guy.

I doubt you do that to someone who was "running". Wlad is almost 6'7; he doesn't run.

Was this the best Wlad? Absolutely not, but he beat a very, very good opponent.

Peter > Cooper.

 

It would indicate that a better boxer than Peters would have more success atsch

 

Wlad is pretty much always in the same place. I thought he only does better against big guys?
And those big guys have to be utter bums like Wach and Pianetta and Pulev who that night did everything you don't do against a power puncher.

 

No one has used the words "unbeatable" or "god" to describe Holyfield.

Rather than put words into my posts that aren't there, perhaps you can actually try and present an argument for a comparison between Holyfield and Povetkin.