Prime Pinklon Thomas vs Evander Holyfield

I think that Holyfield takes this one.

 

I would favor Evander but in fairness, a 1984 Pinklon Thomas was a very different man from the one who fought Holy in 1988. Pinklon was an exceptionally good boxer with an excellent left jab, good power and solid chin. He looked dreadful in 1988 presumably from the lifestyle he had been living and the inactivity. Of all the unfulfilled potential from the 1980’s heavyweight list I think Thomas was the most waisted. Could have been better than all of them

 

Very good post. The fight would have been far more competitive. I see Holyfield winning on points during a close battle, but Thomas could have easily taken the decision too.

 

Agreed.

 

Yes, Thomas' ceiling was higher than what we actually saw. He had many tools to become an ATG, but was an underachiever due to drugs and a poor mindset.

A prime focused Thomas would have more than a fair chance of beating Holyfield and would be quite the handful. I could even see Thomas out jabbing Holyfield from mid range controlling the pace and forcing Holyfield to get close and make it a close range battle. Holyfield probably wouldn't be able to KO such a durable, skilled fighter and he'd need to fight hard every round to convince the judges.

 

It certainly isn’t impossible that Thomas could have stollen a decision from Holyfield. Not sure id bet on it but it’s possible. He fought a near perfect fight against a prime Tim Witherspoon in 1984

 

Yeah, that was a very nice one. And he was practically a novice in terms of total experience. As you say, one of the worst cases of wasted potential, not only of the 80's but in general.

 

Holyfield sometimes had issues vs fighters with good jabs and Thomas had a very hard left jab that was almost like a straight left.

I think a prime Thomas who was a totally different fighter than the one who did actually fight Holyfield in real time. Would give Holyfield alot of problems with his jab, but I see Holyfield as the better all round fighter better movement, better combinations, and he would find a way to win IMO.

Thomas like Holyfield had a very good chin in his prime so I see this fight going the distance with Holyfield winning by close decision.

 

I could see Pinklon edging Evander in a good fight.

 

I like Holyfield by close decision. He's a touch better and more industrious than Witherspoon and can box himself when he wants to.

 

The Holy of the 1st Bowe fight stops him in 11.

Thomas seemed to be at his best with guys who weren't right on him all the time. He liked fighters who laid back enough for him to land the jab and stretch out.

That wasn't Holy. I could be wrong, but Pinky never fought a top level fighter in his prime that pressured him the way prime Holy wouid. Holy's darting style and good tie up skills would make Thomas become reserved, with less punch output. And I think most of us know, Thomas without his jab was kind of meh.

Ref stops the fight when Holy's battering him all around the ring.

 

Holyfield by decision but it's not a whitewash, in his prime Thomas was a decent fighter.

 

I don't think Holyfield stops a prime a Thomas.

Thomas had an iron chin in his prime it took a prime Tyson 20 unanswered flush punches to finally put Thomas down.

I can't see Holyfield stopping a peak Thomas personally.

 

The what-if's of a division where Thomas and Douglas avoided problems and stayed serious are interesting.