Holyfield (1988) vs. Usyk (2018) at CW ?

[candyslim]

Jeez ... Holyfield, Spinks, Qawi, Saad Muhammad were all shite as far as this joker's concerned. At least he doesn't spray the forum with his diarrhea on a more regular basis. What a dick.

[jewboypgh]

Holyfield crushes Usyk like a grape.

[HeavyHitters]

I want to see Holyfield in the next Hangover movie, alongside Tyson.

[DrDuke]

I guess, now is the best time to think about this matchup, cause Usyk is finally in Holyfield's leage. Usyk was suberb in Gassiev fight, he has performed in excellent "basic" style, breaking Gassiev's gameplan and sending Murat back to school. I believe, Usyk can be the same against anybody, who has ever competed in this division, except Holyfield. Evander was no less skilled and he was unstoppable, he would have made Usyk fight. Holyfield would have broken through Usyk's jab and unleashed his variable combinations. Usyk has good chin and could take that, he could fight back also, no doubt his skills and speed would have been enough to give him his moments, but that still would have been Holyfield's game and Evander was the best in it.

[Luis Fernando12]

Usyk > Holyfield.

[Best Coast]

At Crusierweight, I've got Holyfield > Usyk by competitive but clearcut decision. A knockdown or two would seal the deal for Evander.

At 190 pounds, Evander had much better ring movement as he was much lighter on his feet. But his power was still phenomenal...



I wont make my prediction for Holyfield-Usyk at HW until AFTER I've seen Usyk fight 2-3 quality heavyweight .

[Mexi-Box]

At Crusierweight, I've got Holyfield > Usyk by competitive but clearcut decision. A knockdown or two would seal the deal for Evander.

At 190 pounds, Evander had much better ring movement as he was much lighter on his feet. But his power was still phenomenal...



I wont make my prediction for Holyfield-Usyk at HW until AFTER I've seen Usyk fight 2-3 quality heavyweight .

You saw him fight Briedis and Huck already.

[jamamb]

usyks an excellent boxer and #2 all time cruiser, but holy was a total monster at cw. hed beat any cruiser ever

all that heart and ferocity and beatiful combo punching but with serious power and good size thst he didnt have at hw

[Enlightened-One]

The heavyweight version of Evander Holyfield could have easily made the 200lbs cruiserweight limit, so people shouldn't restrict themselves by only comparing Oleksandr Usyk to the 1988 190lbs version of 'The Real Deal'... And arguably, Holy's prime years continued through until 1993, but I guess he was pretty decent also during 1996/1997.

[DrDuke]

The heavyweight version of Evander Holyfield could have easily made the 200lbs cruiserweight limit, so people shouldn't restrict themselves by only comparing Oleksandr Usyk to the 1988 190lbs version of 'The Real Deal'... And arguably, Holy's prime years continued through until 1993, but I guess he was pretty decent also during 1996/1997.

I'd say, he remained decent until Lewis fights. After those he was done.

[Boxing Writer]

The heavyweight version of Evander Holyfield could have easily made the 200lbs cruiserweight limit, so people shouldn't restrict themselves by only comparing Oleksandr Usyk to the 1988 190lbs version of 'The Real Deal'... And arguably, Holy's prime years continued through until 1993, but I guess he was pretty decent also during 1996/1997.

I'd say, he remained decent until Lewis fights. After those he was done.

He looked completely washed up against Vaughn Beane. He lost 4 rounds to him and couldn't finish him off after knocking him down really hard just because he was deadly tired. His speed, work rate and stamina were clearly diminished in 1998. His last hurrah was Michael Moorer rematch. Out of 6 fights in 1998-2001 period Holyfield looked good only in one fight - the rematch with Lennox Lewis. But that just shows how great he was, if he gave much bigger and harder hitting prime ATG all he could handle.

[DrDuke]

The heavyweight version of Evander Holyfield could have easily made the 200lbs cruiserweight limit, so people shouldn't restrict themselves by only comparing Oleksandr Usyk to the 1988 190lbs version of 'The Real Deal'... And arguably, Holy's prime years continued through until 1993, but I guess he was pretty decent also during 1996/1997.

I'd say, he remained decent until Lewis fights. After those he was done.

He looked completely washed up against Vaughn Beane. He lost 4 rounds to him and couldn't finish him off after knocking him down really hard just because he was deadly tired. His speed, work rate and stamina were clearly diminished in 1998. His last hurrah was Michael Moorer rematch. Out of 6 fights in 1998-2001 period Holyfield looked good only in one fight - the rematch with Lennox Lewis. But that just shows how great he was, if he gave much bigger and harder hitting prime ATG all he could handle.

Yeah, Bean fight wasn't too impressive, but I also take into consideration a possibility of Holyfield's lack of preparation to it. I mean, based on the lower scale of this fight, he could have kinda underestimated Bean and could have had not the best preparation. It's only my assumption, of course. I just can't call a fighter shot, when he was able to gather all that remained to perform good against Lewis (in the 2nd fight, of course). That's why I consider Holyfield decent until 1999 and call Lewis II his last hurrah despite it being a loss.

[Best Coast]

Who wins in this fantasy match ? How ?

You are obviously obsessed with the notion that Usyk is better than Holyfield. It seems like every few months you go off on this topic.

Get hold of the latest RING magazine (on local newsstands if you dont subscribe) and it has an excellent article about Holyfield vs Usyk at cruiserweight. ALL 3 British writers make an excellent case for why Holy would beat Usyk. Since you obviously dont respect the opinions of those here at BoxRec Current Scene that Evander would win, maybe the RING journalists can get through to you.

[DrDuke]

Usyk is an excellent boxer. His fundamentals are great, his technique is near-flawless. This kind of boxers is supposed to be superior to any other one. But Holyfield was exceptionally special. I like to call him a boxer-brawler. Usually brawlers have technical flaws and are outboxed by superior boxers, but Holyfield was gifted enough to be excellent from the technical side and use it not within a rational style, but within an aggressive one. That's why he was not just outclassing opponents, but destroying almost everyone he faced. That's why I think, his skills would be enough to make Usyk fight and to outfight him.

[jamamb]

ya i agree, holy kinda reminded me of hagler in the way he could overwhelm with agression but also while being a handy boxer

ppl should go watch some of holy at cruiser. as good as usyk is, i think its clear that with holyfield we were looking at a different level of cruiser, a man on his own level. a man who could do everything...box, slug, inside, outside, power, speed, excellent combo punching, high energy..etc. and we know that holy was also a very fine heavyweight, but now imagine him also as even more of a physical beast and not giving up size......that was him at cruiser

if usyk wins his last cruiser match tonight, i think hes fair game to be mentioned as the #2 cruiser, and easily an atg cruiser, but holy imo is just at another class

[tiny_acres]

Holyfield vs Usyk would definitely be a dream fight.

[caldo2025]

Holyfield takes his head off

Watch Holyfield vs. Dwight Muhammad Qawi before anyone answers this question. That’s a champion

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

Get hold of the latest RING magazine (on local newsstands if you dont subscribe) and it has an excellent article about Holyfield vs Usyk at cruiserweight. ALL 3 British writers make an excellent case for why Holy would beat Usyk. Since you obviously dont respect the opinions of those here at BoxRec Current Scene that Evander would win, maybe the RING journalists can get through to you.

- Watching special eds waxing themselves over Mr Special Peds must be the heights of modern metroman muppetry. Over 190 lbs Field went 28-10-2, 15 KO, or alternately after Big George BTFO of him, 20-10-2, 8 KO. Qawi was 22-9, 12 KO after leaving 175. Using the 5-6 tubby Qawi to ‘splain how Field beats Usyk is full Monty!



The poor dear literally almost died after the tubby stump beat him up in 86, A cracked out Dokes on a 5 yr run of journeymen in 89 took him tooth and nail for 10 rds, and somehow the 88 Field beating Ricky Parky, DeLeon and the shot Tillis after his disastrous 3 KO 1987 losses  is ready for a championship heavyweight with the credentials of Usyk?

Is BS's Cliff Rold British? Are you Burnt Toast?

I'd pick Usyk's last 7 opponents over every one of Field's opponents in this time frame, and a couple over Field himself. Too bad resident soft lads haven't been "fielding" the higher order cruisers to demonstrate they could compete with the Eastern Euros and Juan Carlos Gomez, though I suppose Hayes pinky toe might be in the running!

[Onetimeonly]

Cliff isnt. British

[fanman]

Holyfield would waste him. When in doubt, ask yourself how do you see Usyk vs Tyson, Bowe, Foreman, and Lewis. Yes, Holy lost a few of these but I don't see Usyk even lasting the distance with some of the guys Holyfield has been in the ring with.

good post! that brings some perspective.

but remember that is a heavy holy. holy was 190 at cruiser. even at 200, usyk wouldnt roll over.
it would probably go the distance in a close one with usyk tippy tapping and holy chasing.