Who is the greatest HW of the last 25 years?

Keep in mind Holmes was already 41-0 and had already won and defended the title a few times over by the time 25 years ago would have started....he is last on this list ONLY because of that.

 

based on what? career or your convoluted opinion?

 

Both ..

 

did you care to finish that sentence off?

 

Look up

 

Exactly. Holyfield was the best of the era. It is a measure of how underrated he is, and how grossly OVERRATED Lewis is that the vote is as lopsided as it is. :yep

 

I mistakenly voted for Larry Holmes because I factored in the entirety of his career. He would be the clear first choice when you factor in his entire career. My choice therefor is Lennox Lewis.

Lewis was under appreciated by American fight fans, but his resume is highly impressive. He defeated more ranked opponents than the other four. He was able to defend his title for a significant stretch of time. Lewis was a major factor on the heavyweight scene for a much longer period of time than the others.

Lewis's victory over Tyson is irrelevant, Mike was shot by that point. Lewis is superior to Tyson because of his longevity. Both were able to unify the division and have a significant reign on top. But Tyson suffered a rapid decline and that is what holds him back

His victories over Holyfield were as impressive as Holyfield's over Tyson. Both defeated somewhat faded versions, but they were far from shot. Holyfield's skills were somewhat eroded by his appearance in numerous wars. Tyson's were eroded by a long stay in prison, and a total decline in training and dedication to the sport. Holyfield fans have no problem claiming that his victories over Tyson proves his superiority over a somewhat faded Iron Mike, will the same logic applies here.

The blemish on his careers are his defeats to McCall and Rahaman. First, neither man is as bad as they are made out to be on this site. Second, the McCall stoppage was garbage, Holyfield looked totally wobbely against Cooper and yet was allowed to continue. Holmes looked worst against Shavers and was allowed to conitune. Lewis deserved the same chance.

Tyson is second for me. A strong case can be made that he had the highest peak out of any of these fighters. Dominance counts, if he had more longevity I would rank him above Lewis.

Holyfield is held back because of his lack of consistency. He was only able to defend his belt three times in a row. He never acheived the dominance of either Tyson or Lewis. His knockout power was far below Tyson or Lewis. Only 11 kos as a heavyweight. As stated before he never had a sustained period of dominance comprable to Tyson/Lewis. His high point as a heavyweight is a trilogy which he lost to a overrated Bowe (who feared and ducked Lewis). Moorer is comparable to Rahman as a heavyweight. Holyfield ranks below Lewis because he had a lower peak and less longevity. Holyfield ranks below Tyson in spite of defeating Tyson because his peak was far inferior. The shortness of Tyson's peak is criticized but he won more championship fights as a heavyweight than Holyfield.

Holmes is greatness is really pre 83 for me. But I would have no problem having him over Holyfield.

 

Evander Holyfield.

His resume is really astounding in retrospect, and his quality of opposition far exceeds his opposition! With victories over Larry Holmes himself (though Holmes had aged), Tyson (both legitimate victories in great fights), and a draw/controversial loss to Lennox Lewis, I would say he beats out Holmes, Tyson, and Lewis, as ...

the Greatest Heavyweight of the Last 25 Years!!!

 

So, Tyson Holy II was simply a "legit victory", but I bet you claim Lennox only beat the best HW of the NEXT generation due to a technicality, right? :yep

And now the Lewis-Holy rematch was "controversial", but the first fight was simply a "draw".





Your opinion is SPINtastic!

 

Bowe is and will always be the MOST OVERRATED HW of that generation. And you yourself admit that Holy's legacy is built on the fights against him..... WHICH HE LOST TWO TIMES OUT OF THREE!




This is toooooooo easy. :yep

 

Lewis.

 

Homles won his title in 1978, and by 1983 he was pushin the edge of his prime. Im not sure that I would put him in that Mix. With taking Larry out of the mix it then becomes a no brainer. Tyson was a brighter star but he was 0-3 vs the other two. Holy was 2-1-1 and Lewis was 2-0-1. You have to go with Lewis. The only setback is he did lose twice in his prime to average guys and that is what really hurts in when talking about all time great Heavies.

 

Was Lewis in his prime against McCall?

Was Rahman any more "average" than Buster Douglas or Michael Moorer (at HW)?
Was Bowe that much better than Rahman? (based on actual achievements, not coulda woulda shoulda)

 

OMM yes he was, he was 29 years old. And what is your point??? did you read my post??? WFT are you talking about???

 

Prime has nothing to do with age, numbnuts.

Was Hopkins prime when he was fighting the likes of Melvin Winn & Lupe Aquino? He was close to 29 when he fought RJJ, but we hear non-stop that he was "green" in that fight.

Was Fernando Vargas Prime when he fought Mayorga? He was 29 after all. :roll: