Evander Holyfield blames Klitschko brothers for heavyweight debacle

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Bowe and Lewis were much better than the Klitschkos.

[gregor]

Mercer vs wlad, all wrong for him

Didn’t Wlad KO Mercer.

I guess he meant prime Mercer, not the 40+ version Wlad fought. I agree Mercer was pretty inconsistent even around his prime, but judging from the fight with Lewis (where he nullified Lennox jab & reach advantage) he would be pretty tough opponent for Wlad.

[Ossyrules]

I think the Klits were simply too good.. There was some decent HW's around that had a crack, but failed.. but these 'decent' HW's also existed in the 90's and some even captured a world title. Guys like Akinwade, Seldon, Bennt, Morrison.. Just some names that held a world title in the 90's..

Would you have rather seen the likes of Tony Thompson, Eddie Chambers, Mariusz Wach, Kevin Johnson, Chris Arreola, Albert Sosnowski as HW world champions..

Don't think so, There is nothing wrong with having a dominant HW division.. We saw more or less every fight we could see during the Klit era.. Just off my head, the only fights we didn't see was Vitali vs. Haye, Vitali vs. Wlad (was never going to happen), Valuev vs. the Klits..

The difference is I think they decent 90s guys like Morrison, Bruno, mercer, ruddock, were absolutely miles better than today's arreola, Thompson etc, the the comparison doesn't really fit for me. In fact them 4 guys I mentioned would probably give the kiltschkos hell. Mercer vs wlad, all wrong for him

Didn’t Wlad KO Mercer. And how are Bruno, Morrison, Ruddock miles better than Haye, Chagaev or Povetkin prime for prime? I’d probably give the more recent the edge TBH.

Behave, Mercer was so gone when Wlad fought him. That’s the worst logic ever.

You actually prove my point by naming 3 of the best champions recent times not named Klitschko and compare them against perennial 90s contenders

[Loki]

The difference is I think they decent 90s guys like Morrison, Bruno, mercer, ruddock, were absolutely miles better than today's arreola, Thompson etc, the the comparison doesn't really fit for me. In fact them 4 guys I mentioned would probably give the kiltschkos hell. Mercer vs wlad, all wrong for him

Didn’t Wlad KO Mercer. And how are Bruno, Morrison, Ruddock miles better than Haye, Chagaev or Povetkin prime for prime? I’d probably give the more recent the edge TBH.

Behave, Mercer was so gone when Wlad fought him. That’s the worst logic ever.

You actually prove my point by naming 3 of the best champions recent times not named Klitschko and compare them against perennial 90s contenders

I don’t care if they were champions, just a direct comparison of boxers. Besides, they were all better than Herbie Hide, Michael Bentt, Michael Moorer (who beat Holyfield) and Henry Akinwande.

[Loki]

Bowe and Lewis were much better than the Klitschkos.

Lewis, probably. Bowe, no IMO.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Bowe and Lewis were much better than the Klitschkos.

Lewis, probably. Bowe, no IMO.

Vitali is clearly the least accomplished of them all. You can argue wlad over bowe. Talent wise it isn't close.

[Kalan]

Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield has finally spoken, addressing the major issue of the decline of interest among the boxing faithful in the heavyweight division.

The heavyweight category has failed to be the main attraction in recent years, which has led to viewers and spectators focusing their attention on the lower weight divisions.

But, Holyfield believes despite the lower categories gaining prominence lately, the heavyweight scene can still be regarded as a major draw.

However, the four-time champion points out that the plummet has been caused due to two individuals, Klitschko brothers Vitali and Wladimir.

He asserted that the division has become less engaging for fans as the Ukrainian duo made it unattractive to watch.

The 55-year-old told BS.com: “The heavyweight division changed because of the Klitschkos.

“The judges had to score hugging sessions instead of fights. You go in there to throw punches, but at one point the fights were just hugs.

“When I faced Mike Tyson you knew that you were going to throw punches, but you also knew that you were going receive, and when I threw punches at you, you knew what you had to do - to avoid that punch and respond, you took advantage of those opportunities.”

Holyfield specifically mentioned the Klitshcko brothers to have damaged the style of boxing in the heavyweights over the years, up until both retired.

Yet, the American icon is optimistic of the future as he is of the opinion that the current and upcoming boxers have the talent and potential to raise the level of heavyweight in the global map.

According to Holyfield, fighters like Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua, David Haye, Joseph Parker, Luis Ortiz, Dillian Whyte, Joe Joyce, Tony Bellew, and Daniel Dubois are some of the elite names who are the future of the sport.

He concluded by adding: “I do not understand how those fighters who used to tie up their opponents won the fights, they won without throwing punches, because you had to use your skills more often. This division has lost interest because of the lack of action, but good things are coming.”

It remains to be seen if the Klitschko’s care to answer back to the legend in the coming days in regard to his claims.

Holyfield is full of CRAP!!! ... He has been ever since his Evan Fields days... Maybe all those PED's went to his brain.

Vitali Klitschko has NEVER been noted for clinching... He was an all action fighter.. In fact both Klitschko Bros drew better than Holyfield and Tyson did against the same opponents except for Lewis.. Vitali probably would have broken records if Lewis didn't duck out of the rematch and Holyfield and Tyson didn't duck both Klitschko's.. The ticket sales increased when Kirk Johnson dropped out vs Lewis and Vitali substituted -- but with less than 2 weeks to promote the blockbuster match-up there wasn't any time to promote it.

In Wladimir Klitschko's last fight there was less clinching than either Tyson-Holyfield Fight...and it was an ATG Fight... It drew MORE FANS and better overall TV ratings than any recent Heavyweight Fight, even though it was in the afternoon and hard to find.. The replay drew a lot as well.

WHEN has Holyfield drawn 90,000 fans to any of his fights??? He put fans asleep when he fought Vaughan Bean and there was plenty of clinching. Vitali was the only man in 50 career fights who stopped Vaughan Bean. He also is the only man to ever stop Larry Donald, who boxed the shiit out of Holyfield a couple years later. The only reason Holyfield and Tyson wouldn't fight the Klitschko's is they didn't want to get knocked out.. There was a massive amount of money to be made -- compared to what Holy and Mike were picking up against 2nd raters who were kicking their asses.

[Ossyrules]

Didn’t Wlad KO Mercer. And how are Bruno, Morrison, Ruddock miles better than Haye, Chagaev or Povetkin prime for prime? I’d probably give the more recent the edge TBH.

Behave, Mercer was so gone when Wlad fought him. That’s the worst logic ever.

You actually prove my point by naming 3 of the best champions recent times not named Klitschko and compare them against perennial 90s contenders

I don’t care if they were champions, just a direct comparison of boxers. Besides, they were all better than Herbie Hide, Michael Bentt, Michael Moorer (who beat Holyfield) and Henry Akinwande.

“I don’t care if they were champions”

You should if you’re making comparisons.

Again you’ve picked the absolute worst champions bar Moorer and the best not named Klitschko.

Come back when you have a balanced opinion