Who ranks higher: Evander Holyfield or Erik Morales?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Flo_Raiden, Apr 5, 2019.


Page 1 of 2
  1. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    18,592
    29,153
    Oct 12, 2010
    Two ATGs who were usually involved in entertaining fights. Both knew how to box well but were easily drawn into a war and making fights harder than they should be. They also ended up having wins over the biggest names in boxing (Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao).

    Who do you rate higher in terms of achievements and who do you think was involved in more exciting fights?
     
    Flo_Raiden, Apr 5, 2019
    Flo_Raiden, Apr 5, 2019
    #1
    George Crowcroft, roughdiamond and Jackstraw like this.
  2. emallini

    emallini Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

    11,274
    2,538
    Mar 16, 2008
    Holyfield
     
    emallini, Apr 5, 2019
    emallini, Apr 5, 2019
    #2
  3. PH1882

    PH1882 Member Full Member

    145
    99
    Feb 14, 2019
    Holyfield.
     
    PH1882, Apr 5, 2019
    PH1882, Apr 5, 2019
    #3
  4. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,237
    7,118
    Sep 11, 2018
    Holyfield by far. He’s a certain all-time top 50 pound for pound whereas Morales certainly isn’t top 75. Both are great though and gave so many great moments.
     
    ChrisJS, Apr 5, 2019
    ChrisJS, Apr 5, 2019
    #4
    Grapefruit, George Crowcroft and Smokin Bert like this.
  5. Jackstraw

    Jackstraw Mercy for me, justice for thee! Full Member

    1,822
    2,666
    Jan 28, 2018
    Morales!

    But it’s close and it’s a pretty good question. Holy’s win over Tyson vs Erik’s win over Pac...
    The more I think about it the more I’m sticking with El Terrible. An old, past-his-prime Morales still took Madaina into deep water and was able to mock Danny Garcia a bit.
    Coming out as a southpaw in the 12th round against Pac was epic!
     
    Jackstraw, Apr 5, 2019
    Jackstraw, Apr 5, 2019
    #5
  6. thanosone

    thanosone Love Your Brother Man Full Member

    6,495
    2,435
    Sep 23, 2007
    Hmmm
    One is God.
    The other the dirtiest fighter ever.
     
    thanosone, Apr 5, 2019
    thanosone, Apr 5, 2019
    #6
    George Crowcroft likes this.
  7. Ken Ashcroft

    Ken Ashcroft Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,912
    5,195
    Dec 23, 2008
    As achievements go, it’s hard for Morales to top someone who became the first undisputed cruiserweight champion and then went up in weight and became the undisputed heavyweight champ.
     
    Ken Ashcroft, Apr 5, 2019
    Ken Ashcroft, Apr 5, 2019
    #7
    Smokin Bert likes this.
  8. Oakland Billy Smith

    Oakland Billy Smith Active Member banned Full Member

    1,102
    1,108
    Oct 19, 2018
    I'm a huge Erik Morales fan, but I got to go with Holy on this one..

    Holyfields career spanned more than 3 decades, and he is solidly #2 in his era behind Lennox Lewis

    Morales on the hand had about a 7 or 8 year run between beating Zaragoza for his first title and getting thrashed two times against Pacquiao.

    Morales is also more likely # 3 or 4 for his era behind Barrera, Pacquiao, and Marquez
     
    Oakland Billy Smith, Apr 5, 2019
    Oakland Billy Smith, Apr 5, 2019
    #8
  9. young griffo

    young griffo Boxing Addict Full Member

    6,496
    7,260
    May 18, 2006
    Similar in terms of heart, skill and the warrior mentality.

    But Holyfield is one the most decorated fighters ever in terms of accomplishments. Undisputed Cruiserwight and Heavyweight champion is an epic achievement and trumps Erik's considerable accomplishments.

    Morales does have the Barrera and Pacquiao trilogies in terms of great fights but I'm still not sure that they're better than Holyfield's epics against Qawi, Dokes, Bowe and even the Cooper wars.
     
    young griffo, Apr 6, 2019
    young griffo, Apr 6, 2019
    #9
    George Crowcroft likes this.
  10. Sangria

    Sangria You bleed like Mylee Full Member

    9,019
    3,844
    Nov 13, 2010
    Holyfield. Great comparison, though.
     
    Sangria, Apr 6, 2019
    Sangria, Apr 6, 2019
    #10
  11. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    18,592
    29,153
    Oct 12, 2010
    Bump
     
    Flo_Raiden, Sep 12, 2019
    Flo_Raiden, Sep 12, 2019
    #11
  12. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

    27,131
    44,901
    Mar 3, 2019
    Holyfield by a wide distance. His résumé alone is greater than Morales.
    Then when you factor in him being the only undisputed CW and HW champion and the only 4 time HW champion (although that ones up for debate)
    It really leaves Eric in the dust.

    I do love both fighters (Eric is my favourite of the Trio) but tbh it goes to Holyfield for entertainment value as well imo. His wars with Foreman, Qawi, Bowe, Cooper and Dokes ect trump Morales's vs Barrera and Pacquiao imo
     
    George Crowcroft, Sep 12, 2019
    George Crowcroft, Sep 12, 2019
    #12
    roughdiamond likes this.
  13. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    29,565
    36,126
    Jan 8, 2017
    Holyfield but I like the question
     
    Fergy, Sep 12, 2019
    Fergy, Sep 12, 2019
    #13
  14. roughdiamond

    roughdiamond Ridin' the rails... Full Member

    10,208
    19,485
    Jul 25, 2015
    Holyfield.
     
    roughdiamond, Sep 12, 2019
    roughdiamond, Sep 12, 2019
    #14
    George Crowcroft likes this.
  15. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

    26,625
    17,702
    Apr 3, 2012
    The Qawi and Barrera wins are close in significance.

    The Pac and Bowe wins are also pretty close

    Beating Tyson was better than beating Zaragoza.

    I prefer Morales’ filler like Jesus Chávez and McCullough over Mercer and Douglas.

    The Moorer and Rahim L’s were bad.

    It’s even to me.
     
    NoNeck, Sep 12, 2019
    NoNeck, Sep 12, 2019
    #15
Page 1 of 2