Wladimir Klitschko vs. Evander Holyfield

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Hookie, Aug 20, 2015.


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  1. Hookie

    Hookie Affeldt... Referee, Judge, and Timekeeper Full Member

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    Klitschko is 6'6" with an 81" and was a solid 241 Lbs. for his rematch vs. Chris Byrd in 2006... a good example of a prime W. Klitschko.

    Holyfield is 6'2 1/2" with a 77 1/2" reach and was a solid 217 Lbs. for his rematch vs. R. Bowe in 1993... a good example of a well prepared and determined Holyfield who despite being toward the end of his prime, rose to the occasion and fought one of the best fights of his life.

    Klitschko obviously has a height advantage of 3 1/2" and a reach advantage of 3 1/2" as well. Holyfield faced tall guys with long reaches in his career. He fought R. Bowe, Lennox Lewis, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Hasim Rahman (same height as Holyfield but an 82" reach), Lou Savarese, Brian Nielsen, and even Nikolay Valuev among others.

    Klitschko would be 24 Lbs. heavier. Valuev was 7' with an 85" reach and 310 3/4 Lbs. Valuev outweighed Holyfield 96 Lbs. when he fought Holyfield. Foreman outweighed Holyfield by 49 Lbs. Holmes outweighed Holyfield by 23 Lbs. Bowe outweighed Holyfield by 30 Lbs., 29 Lbs., and 27 Lbs. Lewis outweighed Holyfield by 30 Lbs. and 25 Lbs.

    Ok, my point is that size isn't going to be the main factor in this fight.

    Klitschko was stopped before winning a world title fight by Ross Puritty, LKOby11 in 1998. He lost a world title fight to Corrie Sanders, LKOby2 in 2003, and he lost a world title fight to Lamon Brewster, LKOby5 in 2004. He did stop Brewster in a rematch, KO6 in 2007. At age 28 he had 3 KO losses and was 6-2 (5) in WBO HW world title fights. He was 42-3 (38byKO) overall at this point. He hasn't lost in over 11 years though.

    At age 30 Holyfield was 28-0 (22) overall, 10-0 (7) in World title fights, and 5-0 (2) vs. Hall of Famers. He had been the Undisputed CW Champ and was the reigning HW Champ. He would fight in 16 more HW world title fights (18 if you count the WBF) and he was 46 years old when he got robbed vs. Valuev for the WBA belt.

    Enough of all that... who wins this fight?
     
    Hookie, Aug 20, 2015
    Hookie, Aug 20, 2015
    #1
  2. andrewa1

    andrewa1 Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Wlad easy. Prime Wlad is way too disciplined. Holyfield preyed on people being surprised by his recovery powers, other unusual abilities. Wlad is too disciplined, he picks Holyfield apart slowly, using the size advanatage he can use much more adeptly than did the fighters Holyfield had (marginally) more success with.
     
    andrewa1, Aug 20, 2015
    andrewa1, Aug 20, 2015
    #2
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  3. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Nobody beats peak Holyfield easily. This fight comes down to how much the ref lets Wlad hold and lean on Holyfield and whether Holyfield can free himself enough to land hard power punches inside.
     
    mrkoolkevin, Aug 20, 2015
    mrkoolkevin, Aug 20, 2015
    #3
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  4. SILVER SKULL 66

    SILVER SKULL 66 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Prime for prime 1991 Holyfield wins this on points he was quicker, more proven against solid opposition, more athletic, and better under pressure, and more confident, and in my opinion despite being a much smaller man had a BETTER CHIN, Wlad was down 3x against Peter and hanging on for dear life...

    Klitchko wouldn't get away with that holding Bull**** in the states:-(

    The younger Klitchko HAS MORE HEART THAN HIS BROTHER, but not Holyfield no way dude..

    Watch Holy coming into the ring in his prime, and against Tyson he had ice water in his veins, like Joe Montana, or Ken Stabler in a Super Bowl, Klitchko looked like he was gonna face a firing squad..:deal
     
    SILVER SKULL 66, Aug 20, 2015
    SILVER SKULL 66, Aug 20, 2015
    #4
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  5. uncletermite

    uncletermite Boxing Addict banned

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    If Holyfield struggled with a 43 year old tall jabber,guess whos going to really struggle here? Holyfields kryprtonite was a long jab and forced him to reset all the time,Wlad has the best jab...Wlad wins anyway he wants either stoppage or comfortable decision,in a fight he will have total control.Holyfield was a very fast defensive counterpuncher,Wlads fast one two at his reach advantage will almost always not be there to do that.
     
    uncletermite, Aug 20, 2015
    uncletermite, Aug 20, 2015
    #5
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  6. Phil_Ivey_76

    Phil_Ivey_76 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Wladimir Klitschko KO around the 10th... It could go points also it would be a tough fight regardless. I think EH would win 3 outta 10 and would probably be by stoppage.
     
    Phil_Ivey_76, Aug 20, 2015
    Phil_Ivey_76, Aug 20, 2015
    #6
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  7. Hookie

    Hookie Affeldt... Referee, Judge, and Timekeeper Full Member

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    Holyfield definitely had the better chin.

    It's a tough pick in my opinion.

    In Holyfield's first fight with Bowe he was 30 years old. He had been waiting to fight Tyson for over 3 years. Tyson was the main reason for his move to HW and with Tyson in prison, Holyfield was less focused and less determined. He had made Bowe quit in a sparring session and thought very little of Bowe as a fighter. Holyfield underestimated a very determined and well prepared Bowe and lost by decision. The fight was great but Bowe did get away with countless low blows and other rough tactics. They both traded after the bell a few times.

    In his second fight with Bowe, Holyfield was trained by Manny Steward and was very determined (the last time we really got to see a prime Holyfield in my opinion) much like Ray Leonard was in his rematch with Duran. Like Duran (somewhat), Bowe was not at his very best for the rematch and lost. I honestly feel that like Leonard, Holyfield was going to win regardless of how good his opponent was that night.

    Sure, Holyfield went 2-0 (1) vs. Tyson but neither man was at their very best. Holyfield was well prepared and determined but he knew how to beat Tyson. Tyson was shorter in height and had a shorter reach, their weight was similar. Holyfield was used to fighting giants and at this point would struggle with really good big men like Bowe and later on Lewis due to their abilities to utilize their size advantages. Still, at age 36 1/2 and 37 he fought Lewis. The first fight should have gone to Lewis but was scored even. Holyfield had his moments but Lewis did more. The rematch was close and a case can be made that Holyfield won this. I felt the rematch showed that prime vs. prime, Holyfield could have beat Lewis.

    So, Steward will somehow be in both corners and will get the best out of each fighter... it's "mythical match-ups" baby!

    I'll take Holyfield by split-decision. 115-114 and 115-113 for Holyfield, 115-113 for Klitschko.
     
    Hookie, Aug 20, 2015
    Hookie, Aug 20, 2015
    #7
  8. fists of fury

    fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    The problem for Holy is that he is not blessed with fantastic speed or power. He is a beautiful, sharp counterpuncher but against Wlad who is too scared to open up that is a problem since Captain Cautious won't.
    So Holy won't be given too much chance to use that part of his game.

    I think it's a tough fight for Holy but he always rose to the occasion. I don't know who would win. Need to think on it.
     
    fists of fury, Aug 20, 2015
    fists of fury, Aug 20, 2015
    #8
  9. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I never like to count Holyfield out but this is a tough match for him. Holyfield should be 1-4 against the two super heavies he fought and his one win was razor close against a Bowe who ballooned in weight.
    Wlad is never out of shape.
    Two other large heavies both in their 40s gave Evander problems as well Foreman and Holmes.

    Add in the fact Wlad fights tall and behind the jab it won't leave Holyfield many openings.

    I see Holyfield circling from the outside with Wlad being very cautious firing the jab and occasional hook while Holyfield waits to counter. Wlad will tie him up when he Evander tries to lead and Holyfield will eat enough Wlad jabs and big rights to lose a convincing decision. Wlad is every bit the technician Holyfield is but is just a much larger man as well.
     
    The Long Count, Aug 20, 2015
    The Long Count, Aug 20, 2015
    #9
  10. energie

    energie Boxing Addict Full Member

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    holyfield
     
    energie, Aug 20, 2015
    energie, Aug 20, 2015
    #10
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  11. CujoJust8

    CujoJust8 New Member Full Member

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    Exactly. Not one earthly being beats Holyfield easily. I do see Wlad taking advantage with holding but he'd be the one wearing down from Holyfield's work rate, not the other way around.
     
    CujoJust8, Aug 20, 2015
    CujoJust8, Aug 20, 2015
    #11
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  12. Walkout Bouts

    Walkout Bouts Member Full Member

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    This match is pretty interesting because of what Holyfield was able to do in the Lewis rematch. The question for me is whether that's the best holyfield could do against that kind of heavyweight, or whether a younger holyfield would have done better. He was very mercurial so it's hard to say.
     
    Walkout Bouts, Aug 20, 2015
    Walkout Bouts, Aug 20, 2015
    #12
  13. Hookie

    Hookie Affeldt... Referee, Judge, and Timekeeper Full Member

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    That was a prime Lewis (he peaked later in his career) vs. a 37 year old and past prime Holyfield. That fight was close and could have went either way. At age 30 Holyfield was 28-0 (22) overall and 10-0 (7) in World Title Fights. He was 31 when he beat Bowe, he was 33 when he lost to Bowe in 1995.

    I'd say YES... a younger Holyfield does better.
     
    Hookie, Aug 21, 2015
    Hookie, Aug 21, 2015
    #13
  14. CujoJust8

    CujoJust8 New Member Full Member

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    You could say the late 90's Holyfield was better equipped at dealing with the super heavyweights. With the added muscle he was slower but fought at a measured pace and only brawled in spots. But L love watching Holyfield when he first hit the heavyweight scene. Thomas through Foreman was his peak for me.
     
    CujoJust8, Aug 21, 2015
    CujoJust8, Aug 21, 2015
    #14
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  15. uncletermite

    uncletermite Boxing Addict banned

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    A younger Holyfield did not have the defense he acquired in the mid 90's to the late 90's,he was a stand in your face fighter when he fought Bowe with more speed but less power..klitchko would make short work of that Holyfield..the bigger smarter one that was able to make a physical fight with lewis fares much better.
     
    uncletermite, Aug 21, 2015
    uncletermite, Aug 21, 2015
    #15
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