Prime Lewis vs Prime Holyfield

might not mean much to some of you but holyfield gave lewis problems in that rematch. it was actually kind of close.

 

I still think the judges in the first fight influenced how Lennox fought in the second.....

When do you consider Lewis at his peak, also - around the Briggs fight or later, Holyfield I?

 

maybe you're right, but it ended making the fight closer

 

Actually, Lewis probably was at his peak when he fought Holyfield. I see Lewis taking around 6 out of 10 fights against the Holyfield of Bowe II.

 

It's hard to pinpoint an exact peak for Lewis, as he never was consistent at any stage of his career. However, I feel he showed his best form against Morrison and Golota in the mid '90s. By the time of his fights with Mavrovic and Holyfield, I feel he was past his peak. As I watched the Lewis-Holyfield fights, I just felt I was watching two old veterans in action. Holyfield was the older and more faded of the two, but given that I felt Lewis clearly won both fights (yes, even the second) I would favor him to beat Holy under any circumstances.

 

What do you think of the Grant fight? He didn't look too old there. How does Lewis' skills at the time he fought Holyfield compare to when he fought Golota and Morrison? Do you think they improved due to experience?

 

Both guys at their optimum, physically and mentally, working on the correct gameplans...well, you know who I'd vote for.

If either is below-par it's going to be a painful night for them though. Can't screw about against opponents of that quality. Holyfield too intense a fighter, Lewis too good a boxer.

 

I can't believe how overrated Lewis is on this board. Really.

 

Holyfield lost 9 or 10 rounds the first time around, and still lost the rematch 7-5 or 8-4, despite fighting better that time (and Lewis fighting worse, giving more openings, perhaps being more aggressive because of the bs decision the first time). People who say prime Holyfield beats prime Lewis always bring up the 2nd fight, but what about the first fight when he got soundly beaten?

A younger Holyfield was quicker and had better workrate but also wasn't as big, strong, or experienced against big guys. He was also more prone to getting into vicious exchanges when it wasn't in his best interest.

Lewis would always give Holyfield all sorts of problems with his jab, power, ring generalship, strength, and size. Prime Lewis beats prime Holyfield the majority of time, especially if Holyfield is suffering from "HGH-itis".

 

Holy was just a strong in early nineties as late, was faster, quicker and had a higher work rate, could slip jabs better and took care of business. 8-4 in the rematch is ridiculous. Lennox jabs and says away, judges give him decision. Dumb.

 

Lewis gave more opportunities in the rematch, fighting more aggressive, and being less of a jabber. He still won 7 or 8 rounds. You don't win rounds merely by doing better than expected and better than the first time. Only a very small minority of people did not score it for Lewis. The topic comes up every few months. The great majority will have it 8-4 or 7-5 (like I had it) for LL.

Holyfield got stronger as time went on. He got bigger, and not merely "fat weight", but muscle. He fought huge heavyweights like Bowe and Foreman which gave him more experience against big heavyweights. He adapted to the age by being smarter in the ring and not as hot-headed.

 

Like I've said before, 7-5 I get, 8-4 is silly. I don't think the second fight was closer b/c of what LL didn't do, but for what Holy did. I respect your scoring opinion, but I think you are wrong.

Holyfield always had good strength. He never had one punch power, but could hurt you and finish with combinations.

While your "Very small majority" maybe correct on this one message board, do any sort of google search and you'll see that it does not hold true elsewhere. The second fight had screwy scoring.

In any event, I'll stick by Prime Holy of Prime Lennox any day. Lewis was a great champion but Holyfield was better. He could fight different fights againsts different opponents, had a great chin and was a busy fighter. LL was a big man that used his jab well and had good power, but he got starched by lesser men and young Holy could hurt him bad.

:bbb

That being said, I'll openly admit my bias in the matter. I wonder if LL fans will do the same?

 

Good post, these are my sentiments as well. It would certainly be a fight for the ages and interesting enough, no one thinks it would end by T(KO) yet against Bowe Holyfield was rocked to his core.