Tyson over Holmes was far more impressive. Lewis over Holyfield might get the slight edge in terms of credibility. Holmes had been sitting on the shelf after Jacobs promised him first shot at Tyson's belts. He took a hiatus, maybe a needed one, and wasn't ranked. Holyfield-Lewis was the unification of the belts.
Holyfield was still active and coming off some big wins when he fought Lewis.. He was far more relevant than Holmes was when he met Tyson... Hence the former is the rightful pic.
Tyson over Holmes. On my scorecard, Lewis didn't beat Holyfield in the rematch. The scores in Lewis' favor appeared to be making up for him getting an undeserved draw in the first fight. Tyson decimated Holmes. The same Holmes that gave a close fight to Prime Evander 4 1/2 years later.
The significance of Lewis's win was higher. But, Tyson looked much better. That Tyson likely beats that Lewis.
Slightly, not slightly maybe (didn't mean to type "might"), because Tyson's win over Holmes was far more impressive. That makes it a bit closer in my eyes.
So Tyson beating a 38 year old guy who hadn't been in the ring for 21 months is far more impressive than 2 active guys fighting a unification fight. Sounds about right for ESB.
Holmes was a bigger statement win. Nobody ever did what Tyson did to Holmes before or since. Larry proved he still had some gas left in the tank by being a viable contender many yrs after the Tyson fight. Holy was completely shot by the time he stepped in with Lewis. The last time he showed good speed and combination punching was Moorer 2. He looked terrible against journeyman Vaughn Bean the year before and completely fell off post Lewis. That same Holy would go on to lose 4 of his next 7 fights.
