Evander Holyfield vs. Ron Lyle

[Woldemar]

15 rounds.

[Vlad]

Holyfield TKO 11.

[Joson]

Great fight, but Commander Vander was simply a higher caliber fighter than Lyle. No disrespect to Lyle, though, as he would have been a top contender in any era of heavyweight history.

My guess is that it goes the distance, with Holyfield winning by margins of (maybe) 9-3, 8-4, or 7-5. It would be competitive enough that different judges could see the spread differently. But Holyfield gets the UD.

Another possibility, although less likely, is that Holyfield scores a later round stoppage over Ron. Vander could really bang, and I remember sometimes Lyle seemed winded in the later rounds of some of his fights.

One final thought: don't discount the possibility that, in the early and mid rounds, Lyle might hurt and floor Holyfield. Ron had Grade A punching power, and could coldcock anyone. But even if Holyfield gets knocked down, he get up and win.

[goose 5]

Holyfield by stoppage late for me.

[elmersalsa]

The great Evander Holyfield wins in a slugfest a la Dwight Muhammad Qawi fight.

Ron Lyle will wilt in the later rounds.

[Nile4000]

Lyle by upset split decision. He had more than enough to hang with Evander, and it is 15. But it will be close.

[gilgamesh]

I'd take Holyfield by a decision. I don't think it's out of the question we could be looking at a split decision here. I can easily see Lyle rocking Holyfield and possibly knocking him down over the course of a 15 round fight, but I also see Holyfield's superior skill winning him the majority of the rounds.

The slugfest rounds could go either way. The more measured, breather rounds are probably always gonna favor Holyfield.