Who'd Have Stood More Of Chance of Beating Prime Ali?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Mar 10, 2023.


  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Evander Holyfield (1990 - 93) or Riddick Bowe (1991 - 92)?

    Could either man have beaten Prime Ali (circ 1966)?
     
  2. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I don’t think either of them would but I’d give Evander Holyfield the better chance. At least he’d dig in closer and had a good left hook. Better defense. More hand speed and was generally better conditioned than Bowe.
     
  3. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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  4. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT banned Full Member

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    Both would present problems that Ali didn’t necessarily encounter as and at the time of his prime - neither beats Ali but I agree the more rounded fighter Holyfield would be the more difficult opponent.
     
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  5. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mauling Mormon’s banned Full Member

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    Riddick probably- though I don’t think either is intelligent enough to win.
     
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  6. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    Possibly either of them could have done it. If Bowe applied his size and nutshots ad lib. Holyfield at his best is just that good.
     
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  7. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Like yourself I feel Holyfield would have given Muhammad a more competitive fight but would ultimately fall short.
     
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  8. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I can't see Bowe doing well against a prime Ali, just look how Bowe struggled against a past it Tubbs who fought him on the outside. Bowe always had issues vs boxers if he couldn't fight his kind of fight on the inside.

    Overall I think style wise the more athletic Holyfield at his best, would be more competitive vs Ali than Bowe would.
     
  9. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    It could have been a great fight, Stevie. I'm with you, the Real Deal gives a fight to remember but loses by close decision for me.
     
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  10. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Not likely, but if I had to bet on anyone matching Ali's sheer will it would be Holyfield. I could see it ending up some near fight to the death like the Thrilla.
     
  11. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    Roided Evander gives Ali a war.
     
  12. RulesMakeItInteresting

    RulesMakeItInteresting Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    The Holy that fought Bowe I. It wouid have been a really good fight to watch, but despite Holy probably giving Ali some shaky moments, I think MA would win a pretty clear UD. Ali was great at improvising, so when confronted with the more idiosyncratic parts of Holy's style I'm sure he would have both adapted and done whatever necessary for victory.
     
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  13. Mark Dunham

    Mark Dunham Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Not sure about beating the 66' version
     
  14. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT banned Full Member

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    It would be more than interesting to see how Ali would react to and deal with Evander's "free range" head -IF Holyfield can get close enough for an 'accidental' Liverpool Kiss.
     
  15. Philly161

    Philly161 "Fundamentals are the crutch of the talentless" banned Full Member

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    Evander. I think holyfields best chance to beat prime Ali would be to catch him complacent. If it's 66 then there's no cruiserweight division. That means holyfield is the silver medal winning light heavy Olympian (theoretically) who then is fighting as a heavyweight.

    So assuming evander is not coming into a challenge against Ali in 66 as a feared contender, but say as a last minute substitute for earnie Terrel, I could see him upsetting the Ali who had just dispatched the husk of Cleveland Williams and was in supreme confidence.

    I also think Ali was more likely to underestimate guys smaller than him than someone bowes size. Every time he fought a really big intimidating guy he really seemed to come in ready to knock someone out.

    So if all those things were in holyfields favor, plus maybe getting some benefit from the judges because Ali was not that popular during his physical prime with a lot of people in boxing, I could see evander win a close upset decision. Evander doesn't have the worst style for Ali either.