Re: Evander Holyfield blames Klitschko brothers for heavyweight debacle
Posted: 06 Nov 2017, 16:11
Bowe and Lewis were much better than the Klitschkos.
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.
Behave, Mercer was so gone when Wlad fought him. That’s the worst logic ever.Loki wrote: ↑06 Nov 2017, 15:46Didn’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.Ossyrules wrote: ↑04 Nov 2017, 12:36The 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 himRuthless-RKO wrote: ↑04 Nov 2017, 11:56 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..
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.Ossyrules wrote: ↑06 Nov 2017, 16:44Behave, Mercer was so gone when Wlad fought him. That’s the worst logic ever.Loki wrote: ↑06 Nov 2017, 15:46Didn’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.Ossyrules wrote: ↑04 Nov 2017, 12:36
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
You actually prove my point by naming 3 of the best champions recent times not named Klitschko and compare them against perennial 90s contenders
Lewis, probably. Bowe, no IMO.
Holyfield is full of CRAP!!! ... He has been ever since his Evan Fields days... Maybe all those PED's went to his brain.Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑04 Nov 2017, 06:21 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.
“I don’t care if they were champions”Loki wrote: ↑06 Nov 2017, 20:20I 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.