Holyfield vs Klitschkos in the early 2000s

[DrDuke]

What if Evander faced any of the brothers in the period of 2000-2002, when he went 1-1-1 against John Ruiz, won Hasim Rahman and lost to Chis Byrd, before he was completely shot against James Toney?

[margaret thatcher]

probably loses both by this time but is still a live opponent, a few years later than this he wouldnt be

[gilgamesh]

Obviously 2000 is the best time for this to happen where the Klitschko's are still just now reaching world level, and Holyfield is probably as good as he would've been at any point in the 2000's.

A fight between he and Vitali in 2000 would've been a barnburner I'll bet. I'd pick Vitali to win a close one.

I think Wlad would've won more convincingly. As the years go on in the 2000's it gets easier, and easier for the Klitschko's, although that period of 2003-2004 was a rough time for Wlad, and his confidence seemed to be badly shaken during those years, but he regrouped.

[DrDuke]

Obviously 2000 is the best time for this to happen where the Klitschko's are still just now reaching world level, and Holyfield is probably as good as he would've been at any point in the 2000's.

A fight between he and Vitali in 2000 would've been a barnburner I'll bet. I'd pick Vitali to win a close one.

I think Wlad would've won more convincingly. As the years go on in the 2000's it gets easier, and easier for the Klitschko's, although that period of 2003-2004 was a rough time for Wlad, and his confidence seemed to be badly shaken during those years, but he regrouped.

Actually, eventhough Wlad had troubles in the 03-04 period, Holyfield would be an easy victim at that point. If Wlad faced him a couple of years earlier, his Wlad's problems could begin at that point. It's tough to pick Wlad of the Brewster/Sanders model against the more or less living Holy.

Vitali would probably be a harder opponent for Evander at that point. Most likely Vit the Klit would outpoint the ageing Holy.

[EdwardRevolver1993]

I always wondered why their paths never crossed. Potentially, Wladimir could've fought Evander as early as 1998. Just did some research - Wlad was the WBA International champ at the time and was ranked in the top-5 within that rankings. Holyfield was the WBA/IBF champion.

Evander did a homecoming defense against Vaughn Bean that year. But he had a formal right to choose Wlad from the rankings.

But to answer the topic question - I would've picked both brothers over Evander in the early 2000's.

[DrDuke]

I always wondered why their paths never crossed. Potentially, Wladimir could've fought Evander as early as 1998. Just did some research - Wlad was the WBA International champ at the time and was ranked in the top-5 within that rankings. Holyfield was the WBA/IBF champion.

Evander did a homecoming defense against Vaughn Bean that year. But he had a formal right to choose Wlad from the rankings.

But to answer the topic question - I would've picked both brothers over Evander in the early 2000's.

Talking about 1998, Wlad was too raw then, Holy would kayo him. His bro would lose in that year as well.

[EdwardRevolver1993]

I always wondered why their paths never crossed. Potentially, Wladimir could've fought Evander as early as 1998. Just did some research - Wlad was the WBA International champ at the time and was ranked in the top-5 within that rankings. Holyfield was the WBA/IBF champion.

Evander did a homecoming defense against Vaughn Bean that year. But he had a formal right to choose Wlad from the rankings.

But to answer the topic question - I would've picked both brothers over Evander in the early 2000's.

Talking about 1998, Wlad was too raw then, Holy would kayo him. His bro would lose in that year as well.

Perhaps. But Holyfield was kinda inconsistent in his performances at the time. In particular, he didn't look bright in that mentioned Bean fight.

[dempseyfire]

I always wondered why their paths never crossed. Potentially, Wladimir could've fought Evander as early as 1998. Just did some research - Wlad was the WBA International champ at the time and was ranked in the top-5 within that rankings. Holyfield was the WBA/IBF champion.

Evander did a homecoming defense against Vaughn Bean that year. But he had a formal right to choose Wlad from the rankings.

But to answer the topic question - I would've picked both brothers over Evander in the early 2000's.

Talking about 1998, Wlad was too raw then, Holy would kayo him. His bro would lose in that year as well.

Perhaps. But Holyfield was kinda inconsistent in his performances at the time. In particular, he didn't look bright in that mentioned Bean fight.

This is true. The Tyson wins got Evander SO much mileage that people forgot it was common knowledge Evander was past his best BEFORE the Tyson fights. I think his "prime" was 88-93, and he took another dip around 1998 . .the guy who fought Bean, Lewis, Ruiz was far from the combination puncher he'd been in his first title run and he had issues pulling the trigger when seeing openings which just got worse with the passing years. With good style matchups (like Rahman) he could rewind the clock but otherwise he struggled.

So I think both Klitschkos easily beat any Evander in the early 2000s. The Evander who fought Lewis the second time stops Wlad. Vitali probably beats even that version, although Vitali's overall comp was so poor (and although up on the cards, he found a way to lose vs the two best fighters he faced) I struggle to rate him historically.