Prime Holyfield could edge a decision over Lewis but it's a close call. I really liked Lennox 96-98 and would say that was his prime. He could fight well in the clinches (as he showed against a very tough Mercer) and, like Ray, Holyfield didn't have one-punch pop. Plus, Lennox boxed very well from the outside and used that great jab. Even an ancient Larry Holmes gave Evander problems with his length and jab. If I had to choose, I'd say Lennox does enough of both to earn a hard-fought win on the cards.
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Holmes was craftier and quicker than Lewis. I think Holyfield had underrated punching power as well.Originally posted by IMDAZED View PostComment
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It's arguable whether Lewis was at his peak when he fought Holyfield as well, though he was certainly closer than Evander at that point. I'd personally take Lennox, he raised his game for the big fights, and his size plus ability to use that size would have gotten him the decision. He would not have been intimidated by Evander, and he would have been able to handle him inside when he had to, which is why he would win.Comment
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Lewis' physical dimensions and style would have given Holyfield trouble at any time of Holyfield's career, Holmes and Foreman were 6'3, Lewis was 6'5, Holmes and Foreman had 81 and 82 inch reaches respectively, Lewis had 84. Lewis at his technical best would've given Holyfield lots of trouble, and Holyfield at his best would have given Lewis a lot of trouble as well. Close decision IMO but I'd give the edge to Lewis.Comment
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what a load of bull****.....not in prime?? he just came off beating a Prime Mike Tyson....holyfield was in his prime when he fighted lewis....only reason holyfield retired earlier on is because after the bowe fight he was having some problems with his body organs and a doctor report said "it could be due to a use of HGH" ..Comment
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So, when did Holyfield's prime end, exactly?Comment
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around 1994 he started to decline.. his two victories over Mike Tyson was mainly down to Tyson having slipped far more than Holyfield had slipped.. Tyson got out of prison and beat McNeeley, Mathis Jr. Bruno & Seldon, he could still beat those 4 tomato cans today..Tyson was a shell of the fighter he was 10yrs previously which is why Holyfield was able to defeat him, Holyfield had looked terrible in his last 4 fights before he fought Tyson which showed to everyone that he was on the slide and past his best.. Holyfield had lost his title to Moorer struggled with Mercer got KOd by Bowe and looked `Shot` against Bobby Czyz.. He then beat Tyson in 2 fights managed to beat a badly faded and overweight Michael Moorer and look completely `Shot` against one Vaughn Bean... Holyfield then fought a draw with Lennox Lewis with Lewis seemingly robbed then lose a points decision to Lewis with Holyfield seemingly robbed... Evander Holyfield was finished in 1994 and Mike Tyson finished back in 1990.Originally posted by Pirao View PostComment
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Yeah, he was also 200 years old when he fought Evander. And not even close to being as quick as Lewis.Originally posted by them_apples View PostComment
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I'd agree with Sonnyboyx's assessment too, Holyfield did look post prime against Moorer in what 1993.
The Tyson victories look good on paper for Holyfield, but he was holding alot and fighting in spurts, particularly in fight 1.
The sluggishness in Holyfield's first Moorer fight and the third Bowe fight were given all sorts of excuses.......heart complaints, flu. He was post prime at that point for me, not as fast or as sharp and his endurance wasn't what it once was.
Prime Holyfield is 1990-1992, Buster Douglas, Foreman, Holmes and the first two Bowe fights showed some of the best of Evander.Comment
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