Evander Holyfield V

[ThatOne]

Larry Holmes (Prime)

Muhammad Ali

George Foreman (Prime)

Joe Frazier

Jimmy Ellis

Sonny Liston

Floyd Patterson

Rocky Marciano

Joe Louis

James Braddock

Max Baer

[Goodnight, Irene]

Larry Holmes (Prime)

Muhammad Ali

George Foreman (Prime)

Joe Frazier

Jimmy Ellis

Sonny Liston

Floyd Patterson

Rocky Marciano

Joe Louis

James Braddock

Max Baer

Holmes UD15 Holyfield

Holmes showed me enough in their 1992 meeting to suggest, had the reflexes & fitness been there, he'd have proven more than a match for a peaking Holyfield. Holmes sets his traps, doubles-up on the jab, & moves fluidly, safe in the knowledge Holyfield probably cannot seriously wound him. Too quick & too precise, with too few errors in his game to exploit.

Ali UD15 Holyfield

As above, but more convincing, on account of Ali's superior speed & unorthodox, less predictable offense.

Foreman TKO4 Holyfield

Going toe-to-toe with Bowe proved detrimental to Holyfield's chances of victory, but he just couldn't help himself against a guy who could rock his world. Bowe hurt him --- Foreman annihilates him. With Holyfield's chin, (lack of) defense, & competitive streak, it'd get cringe-worthy. It isn't as though he can land a hail-mary shot to save himself here, either.

Frazier TKO13 Holyfield

The most enthralling of all these matchings, & it's simply epic. Near-even scorecards at the time Holyfield's corner pull their beleaguered warrior from the battlefield. Frazier's bodyassault, as was the case for Bowe, proves pivotal. Having Futch in the corner, given his experience against Holyfield, wouldn't hurt either. It's downright brutal in stages.

Holyfield UD15 Ellis

"In all the fights I ever knocked somebody out, they were tryin' to knock me out," Holyfield once said, & this, to me, rings as important for this fight. Ellis just doesn't ring his bell hard enough to awaken the beast. Competitive fight for the first eight or nine rounds, but Ellis fades against the bigger, physically stronger, harder-hitting man.

Liston TKO8 Holyfield

This is absolutely down-to-the-wire, 50-50 pick 'em stuff for me. I really cannot make more than a 50-50 case, here. I'm going with Liston on th strength of his jab (consistently beating Holyfield to the punch & busting him up pay off down the line), & the fact his chin is rock-solid. His endurance was also under-rated. Still, if Holyfield out-muscles him early, gets inside Liston's head by showing no fear, & employs his filthiest firty tactics, he can wear Liston down. Very tight fight.

Holyfield TKO10 Patterson

Unlike Ellis, a snappy left from Patterson (an under-rated puncher) can get Holyfield's attention, & I think he goes after the more fragile Patterson at around the 8th-stanza mark, finishing it with a knockdown & a series of unanswered blows in the tenth.

Marciano MD15 Holyfield

Simply sensational, with both men claiming to have won in the aftermath. Why Marciano? Unlike Holyfield, he never faded at Heavyweight in high-output affairs, & his higher work-rate, coupled with harder punching throughout, see him edge Holyfield.

Louis TKO7 Holyfield

I'm probably alone here, but I don't see this as the most competitive affair. Louis is faster, sharper, heavier-handed, & more accurate. I think he really hurts the defense-deficient Holyfield with hooks & uppercuts off the jab, scoring a knockdown in the third. He stops him in seven. Not all that competitive.

Holyfield UD15 Braddock

A dull fight, but Holyfield has the edge in most categories, & I expect it to show come fight-night.

Holyfield UD15 Baer

A close UD, mind, in an at-times exciting stoush. Baer does better in my mind than many will imagine. He was a busy fighter with a pesky jab & a right hand which could certainly dent anyone, Holyfield included (Baer was at least the equal of Bowe, in terms of raw hitting power). There'd be some comical moments, given Baer's clown persona & Holyfield's steadfast seriousness, when the fouls hit home from both men. One guy wants it more, though --- we all know who that man is.

His record rolls out at 4-7.

[BoxBuzz]

I'd pick Holyfield in that 50/50 pick em if it goes to a decision. Holly could not be psyched or bullied, so if he didn't get KO'd I think Sonny would be frustrated and fold a bit under Holyfield's relentlessly strong mental game.

[Goodnight, Irene]

What about the rest?

[yancey]

Holyfield would beat Marciano.

[yancey]

I'd pick Holyfield in that 50/50 pick em if it goes to a decision. Holly could not be psyched or bullied, so if he didn't get KO'd I think Sonny would be frustrated and fold a bit under Holyfield's relentlessly strong mental game.

Agreed.

[Goodnight, Irene]

How do you see the other fights playing out?

[jezzamundo]

Larry Holmes UD15 Holyfield

Muhammad Ali UD15 Holyfield

George Foreman TKO5 Holyfield

Joe Frazier UD15 Holyfield

Holyfield UD15 Jimmy Ellis

Holyfield SD15 Sonny Liston

Holyfield TKO8 Floyd Patterson

Holyfield UD15 Rocky Marciano

Joe Louis UD15 Holyfield

Holyfield UD15 James Braddock

Holyfield UD15 Max Baer

[The Great John L]

Larry Holmes wins a comfortable hard fought UD

Muhammad Ali wins a lopsided UD.

George Foreman controls the early rounds, and rocks Holyfield several times, but Evander takes charge about the 6th or 7th and stops a tiring Foreman around the 10th.

Joe Frazier finds his face getting puffy from Evander’s counter shots, but comes on strong late to take a close UD.

Jimmy Ellis fights a competitive fight for the first half of the fight, but fades late to lose a UD.

Sonny Liston’s jab takes charge early and he controls a competitive fight for 6-7 rounds before dropping Holyfield for a mid rounds TKO.

Floyd Patterson’s speed presents a lot of problems for Holyfield, who scores two KDs in the early rounds which provide just enough edge on the cards. Holy by SD.

Rocky Marciano gets hammered and cut early, but rallies to stop Holyfield sometime past the 10th.

Joe Louis proves too much and the ref rescues a wavering Holyfield in the mid rounds after a competitive fight controlled by Louis.

James Braddock stuns Evander early but is otherwise out-classed. Holyfield by UD.

Max Baer is able to hurt Holyfield a few times, but is out classed in losing a wide UD.

[hhaehre]

Larry Holmes wins a close decision.

Muhammad Ali wins a clear cut decision.

George Foreman beats down Holyfield for a tko.

Joe Frazier beats down Holyfield for a tko.

Jimmy Ellis is stopped late after being competitive early on.

Sonny Liston beats down Holyfield for a tko.

Floyd Patterson outscores Holyfield for a ud.

Rocky Marciano beats down Holyfield for a tko.

Joe Louis ko in 3.

James Braddock looses wide decision.

Max Baer looses wide decision.

[Counter-puncher]

can't really depart from the logic on any of your picks there, GI

[Goodnight, Irene]

can't really depart from the logic on any of your picks there, GI

Thanks, mate

[Grimm]

Larry Holmes (Prime) would simply outbox him

Muhammad Ali same as Holmes

George Foreman (Prime) I say Holyfield takes him out late in the fight like around 10 - 12

Joe Frazier Don't see a Frazier Ko but I do believe Frazier would outwork him in a very entertaining fight.

Jimmy Ellis who I believe had very good boxing skills puts up an ok fight before being stopped mid to late rounds.


Sonny Liston I think they both take each others best shots and it is very competitive. Liston discovers Evander aint goin' down and quits on his stool.

Floyd Patterson entertaining fight with both men tasting the canvas Patterson's chin fails him in this one and is eventually knocked out.

Rocky Marciano It begins with Holyfield outboxing Marciano. Marciano catches Holyfield with that suzie Q and it turns into a war. Holyfield escapes with a close decision.

Joe Louis I believe Louis would outbox Holyfield and at times hurt him and win a clear UD.

James Braddock Clear Holyfield UD

Max Baer Holyfield takes him out around the 5th or 6th rounds.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Holmes UD
Ali UD
Holyfield late TKO Foreman
Evander/Frazier is too close to call for me, unbelievably violent.
Evander early Ko over Ellis
Liston late TKO or UD
Holyfield early to mid KO over patterson
Holyfield TKO around 10 over Marciano
Holyfield UD over Louis
Holyfield boring UD over Braddock, closer than it should be. his style would lull Evander. Could be an upset
Holyfield stops max


Frazier & Louis are the hardest to predict for me.

[yancey]

How do you see the other fights playing out?

Pretty much agree with how you have the rest of them, except I don't see Ellis going the distance. I see Dundee keeping Ellis on his stool sometime around the 12th.

On Foreman and Holyfield, I think this is another case of George better get Holyfield out fairly early, or stamina issues could come into play.

[danieljenkins]

Holyfield would beat Marciano.

x2

[Crease]

I reckon Liston and Marciano would beat Hollyfield...

But I shan't get into the whole Holyfield VS Marciano tirade again...

And Patterson would givce Hoylfield a comeptitive bout.

[hhaehre]

I can't believe all the people predicting a Holyfield ko over Foreman. Guys, they did fight you know and a prime Holyfield got all he could handle against the ancient, fat and sloooooow Foreman but a young Foreman he knocks out?

[The Great John L]

I can't believe all the people predicting a Holyfield ko over Foreman. Guys, they did fight you know and a prime Holyfield got all he could handle against the ancient, fat and sloooooow Foreman but a young Foreman he knocks out?

You're right, it is a little surprising. Mine was a sarcastic predicition (see the Quarry thread) and I was just waiting to use 8) but no one has called me on it yet. Well, until now. I didn't expect so much company.

In reality I think a prime Foreman, i.e., post Zaire first career George, stops Holyfield around the 5th or 6th after a pretty spirited fight.

[Jaywheel]

I can't believe all the people predicting a Holyfield ko over Foreman. Guys, they did fight you know and a prime Holyfield got all he could handle against the ancient, fat and sloooooow Foreman but a young Foreman he knocks out?

Fight takes place in Zaire, didn't get the memo?


Holmes UD 15
Ali TKO 9
Foreman KO 5
Frazier SD 15
Holyfield TKO14 (over Ellis)
Liston KO 4
Holyfield KO 12 (over Patterson)
Marciano SD 15
Louis UD 15
Holyfield TKO 11 (over Braddock)
Holyfield SD 15 (over Baer)

[Grimm]

I can't believe all the people predicting a Holyfield ko over Foreman. Guys, they did fight you know and a prime Holyfield got all he could handle against the ancient, fat and sloooooow Foreman but a young Foreman he knocks out?

It was almost like two different Foremans.

The young one didn't know how to reserve his energy and I feel would fade down the stretch of the fight.

He would whack Holyfield with some good shots and Holyfield would come back with shots of his own and Foreman would eventually tire out.

[hhaehre]

I can't believe all the people predicting a Holyfield ko over Foreman. Guys, they did fight you know and a prime Holyfield got all he could handle against the ancient, fat and sloooooow Foreman but a young Foreman he knocks out?

It was almost like two different Foremans.

The young one didn't know how to reserve his energy and I feel would fade down the stretch of the fight.

He would whack Holyfield with some good shots and Holyfield would come back with shots of his own and Foreman would eventually tire out.

Young Foremans stamina problems, much like Holyfields heavy weight resume, is blown way out of propotion.

[Goodnight, Irene]

I can't believe all the people predicting a Holyfield ko over Foreman. Guys, they did fight you know and a prime Holyfield got all he could handle against the ancient, fat and sloooooow Foreman but a young Foreman he knocks out?

Fight takes place in Zaire, didn't get the memo?


Holmes UD 15
Ali TKO 9
Foreman KO 5
Frazier SD 15
Holyfield TKO14 (over Ellis)
Liston KO 4
Holyfield KO 12 (over Patterson)
Marciano SD 15
Louis UD 15
Holyfield TKO 11 (over Braddock)
Holyfield SD 15 (over Baer)

I agree with a lot of that, it's pretty solid backing, but the one stand-out for me is no way in hell Ali stops Holyfield

[Robinson]

Holyfield prime for prime Vs


Larry Holmes
Holmes out points him and gets a good UD, some good
moments, but we see a more active Holmes than we
did in 1992.
Holmes UD
Muhammad Ali
Ali gets the decision, he stays mobile, though Holy does
land well at times, and finds a home for his left hook. Overall
Ali works his movement and clinch nicely to secure the win.
Ali UD

George Foreman
This has good moments, but Holyfields accuracy and combinations
get through. After 6 to 8 rounds of hard shots Foreman goes
down.
Holyfield TKO 8

Joe Frazier
This would be a sensational fight ! I would love to see this, it could
go either way. Lots of toe to toe action and left hooks landing.
Holyfield SD

Jimmy Ellis
Ellis goes after Holy early landing fast right hands and long range jabs,
Holy is able to counter and catch him, both man steady up and trade
shots with Ellis now after 3 rounds working behind his jab and his
footwork. Holy catches him, and puts him down.
Holyfield KO 5

Sonny Liston
Liston finds a home for his jab, but Holyfield also lands his right hand
and some fast combinations. A good fight while it lasts, Holyfield
is able to stop Liston late in the fight.
Holyfield TKo 9

Floyd Patterson
This would be a good fight while it lasts, Patterson is hard to hit
early on. Both men exchange well with Patterson hitting the deck
after a round. Holyfield is able to stop Patterson around the 6th.
A fun fight while it lasts.

Rocky Marciano
This would be another exciting, gruelling fight. Both men go hard,
but Holyfield stays more active and is rangier with his shots. Marciano
begins to bleed hard late in the fight. By the final bell both men are
looking exhausted, but the crowd got its monies worth.
Holyfield UD.

Joe Louis
Holyfield is able to drop Louis, but Louis is able to rock Holy. This is
in some ways a meld between Holy-Mercer and Louis-Charles, except
Louis is able to land the more thudding blows. Come the final bell
the judges award a close decision to...
Louis SD

James Braddock
Braddock looks slick as he tries to box and move, this lasts for most the
first round, when Holyfield who is faster and more powerful lands some
solid shots. The fight slows up as Braddock tries his best to survive
behind long range shots and a clinch. Holyfield hustles and explodes
accurate shots through his guard well. Braddock is dropped by a nice
left hook in the 6th.

Holyfield KO 6

Max Baer
Baer tries to thump his right hand home early. Holy absorbs it most often
with his forearms when he does block it. More accurate shots get through
and put the big Baer on his back foot. Forced into a counter game Baer takes
more blows. When he does land, it is clear he is able to stink Holy.

Holy KO 9

[Jaywheel]

I can't believe all the people predicting a Holyfield ko over Foreman. Guys, they did fight you know and a prime Holyfield got all he could handle against the ancient, fat and sloooooow Foreman but a young Foreman he knocks out?

Fight takes place in Zaire, didn't get the memo?


Holmes UD 15
Ali TKO 9
Foreman KO 5
Frazier SD 15
Holyfield TKO14 (over Ellis)
Liston KO 4
Holyfield KO 12 (over Patterson)
Marciano SD 15
Louis UD 15
Holyfield TKO 11 (over Braddock)
Holyfield SD 15 (over Baer)

I agree with a lot of that, it's pretty solid backing, but the one stand-out for me is no way in hell Ali stops Holyfield

I see the referee stepping in under optimal circumstances favoring an Ali TKO i.e. Ali being able to pull all his antics, and the Real Deal being sermonized by the ref everytime he tries to do so. If they fought three times, I see it happening once at most, Ali taking the other two by decision.