Fantasy matches : Holyfield (1996) vs. present day HWs ?

[ValMar]

Considering his pryme in 1996 (the first fight vs. Tyson), what do you think about ? Would Holyfield be sucessful against the best current HWs ?
Would the size of Klitschko, Joshua, Ortiz or Wilder be deciding factor, or Holyfield's skillset ? What do you think about Haye's or Povetkin's chances ? "Healthy Fury" ??

[Bard of Boxrec]

Considering his pryme in 1996 (the first fight vs. Tyson), what do you think about ? Would Holyfield be sucessful against the best current HWs ?
Would the size of Klitschko, Joshua, Ortiz or Wilder be deciding factor, or Holyfield's skillset ? What do you think about Haye's or Povetkin's chances ? "Healthy Fury" ??

Holy beats all of them. Wlad and Fury by KO, Vitali by decision, Joshua maybe by KO, Ortiz maybe decision. He would stop Haye and Pov too

[Syntax Error]

Considering his pryme in 1996 (the first fight vs. Tyson), what do you think about ? Would Holyfield be sucessful against the best current HWs ?
Would the size of Klitschko, Joshua, Ortiz or Wilder be deciding factor, or Holyfield's skillset ? What do you think about Haye's or Povetkin's chances ? "Healthy Fury" ??

Holyfield was long past his prime in 1996.

He certainly had the skills to beat the current crop HWs, but his lack of size & his propensity to brawl would see him have some struggles along the way, if you're talking the 1996 version.

When he was in his absolute pomp in about 1990, I think he beats them all fairly comfortably.

[ValMar]

Considering his pryme in 1996 (the first fight vs. Tyson), what do you think about ? Would Holyfield be sucessful against the best current HWs ?
Would the size of Klitschko, Joshua, Ortiz or Wilder be deciding factor, or Holyfield's skillset ? What do you think about Haye's or Povetkin's chances ? "Healthy Fury" ??

Holyfield was long past his prime in 1996.

He certainly had the skills to beat the current crop HWs, but his lack of size & his propensity to brawl would see him have some struggles along the way, if you're talking the 1996 version.

When he was in his absolute pomp in about 1990, I think he beats them all fairly comfortably.

Holyfield's prime could be a very interesting topic. God Almighty knows. But, I think that first victory over Tyson is the most important event in Holyfield's career, because of that I put 1996 as a year of his prime.

[Syntax Error]

Considering his pryme in 1996 (the first fight vs. Tyson), what do you think about ? Would Holyfield be sucessful against the best current HWs ?
Would the size of Klitschko, Joshua, Ortiz or Wilder be deciding factor, or Holyfield's skillset ? What do you think about Haye's or Povetkin's chances ? "Healthy Fury" ??

Holyfield was long past his prime in 1996.

He certainly had the skills to beat the current crop HWs, but his lack of size & his propensity to brawl would see him have some struggles along the way, if you're talking the 1996 version.

When he was in his absolute pomp in about 1990, I think he beats them all fairly comfortably.

Holyfield's prime could be a very interesting topic. God Almighty knows. But, I think that first victory over Tyson is the most important event in Holyfield's career, because of that I put 1996 as a year of his prime.

Very true.

He was admittedly inspired the night he fought Tyson & it was as if he was able to turn back the clock for that one night.

[Boxing Writer]

Considering his pryme in 1996 (the first fight vs. Tyson), what do you think about ? Would Holyfield be sucessful against the best current HWs ?
Would the size of Klitschko, Joshua, Ortiz or Wilder be deciding factor, or Holyfield's skillset ? What do you think about Haye's or Povetkin's chances ? "Healthy Fury" ??

Holyfeild was already past his prime when he fought Tyson. Both Holy and Mike were still very good but clearly past their respective primes in 1996 (equally, in my opinion).The last time when we saw prime Holyfield was his rematch with Bowe. But even 1996 version of Holyfield would beat all from your list. I would favor him against Wlad prime for prime, so 35 y.o. past prime Holyfield vs 40 y.o. past prime Wlad is no brainer IMO. Joshua it still untested on the highest level, Wilder's balance and overall skill level is too poor to beat somebody like Holyfield. Povetkin is tailor-made for Holyfield, he would get countered all night long and eventually gets stopped. Haye would just come for a paycheck. Ortiz would have had a pretty good chance against that version of Holyfield IF he has a good chin.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Considering his pryme in 1996 (the first fight vs. Tyson), what do you think about ? Would Holyfield be sucessful against the best current HWs ?
Would the size of Klitschko, Joshua, Ortiz or Wilder be deciding factor, or Holyfield's skillset ? What do you think about Haye's or Povetkin's chances ? "Healthy Fury" ??

Holyfield was long past his prime in 1996.

He certainly had the skills to beat the current crop HWs, but his lack of size & his propensity to brawl would see him have some struggles along the way, if you're talking the 1996 version.

When he was in his absolute pomp in about 1990, I think he beats them all fairly comfortably.

Holyfield's prime could be a very interesting topic. God Almighty knows. But, I think that first victory over Tyson is the most important event in Holyfield's career, because of that I put 1996 as a year of his prime.

You put the wrong year. Way past his prime in 96. He'd still beat all these guys though. His prime pretty much ended with the bowe rematch.

[asdfjkl]

I've seen the 46 year old Holyfield against Valuev and about a year later the prime David Haye against Valuev and TBH I think the 46 year old Holyfield showed a better performance.


I think Prime Povetkin vs Prime Holyfield would be very close actually.
Tyson Fury, Klitschko brothers and AJ are a level above, but I do think that Holyfield would have won against Wilder for example.

[fanman]

pretty remarkable that a boxer who weighed 210-220 in his prime is considered a favourite over all today's heavyweights. but i think it is fair, considering holyfield's combination of skill, power, strength, speed and chin. of course all the big super heavyweights would be a severe threat to holy, but we've seen him come through and beat or compete with the likes of lewis and bowe.

[Bricks]

Hell the 96 holy even the 99 holy beats all these big bums.

Holyfield is the most underrated fighter of all time.

His lengthy career saw several points where he seemed shot than became rejuvenated.

I thibk 2003-2006 was the worst we saw him....injured ,only able to work 30 seconds a round.

No doubt a 96 holy beats rhem all

[jezzamundo]

A slightly post-prime, 1996 Holyfield beats all of the mentioned fighters.

I couldn't see Wlad beating him under any circumstances, Holyfield might stop him or win a clear decision.
Joshua and Ortiz could beat him if Holy fought stupidly and tried to stand and trade with them, but if he boxes them, he outpoints them.
Holyfield stops Wilder, Haye and Povetkin. Of the three, I give Wilder the best chance of going the distance, but he's got nothing more than a slim (considering Holy's chin) puncher's chance.
I think the Fury fight is possibly the most interesting - I could see a fit and focused Fury taking a close decision, but I think Holyfield more likely stops him or wins a close decision.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

That's what makes mythical fights so fascinating. I can't see fury lasting 5 rounds with evander.

[Loki]

Holyfield is just too small and light to beat any of the modern day dreadnaughts.

[jezzamundo]

Holyfield is just too small and light to beat any of the modern day dreadnaughts.

I hope that's a joke?

He beat a prime Bowe who was 6'5" and 240+ in their second fight. Bowe was more offensively skilled than Joshua and Wlad and a harder puncher than Fury.

Then a well past his prime Holyfield gave a prime 6'5" 240+ Lennox Lewis a close fight in their rematch. Lewis was hardly any smaller than today's giants and more skilful than all of them.

If we're talking about the sick Evander with hepatitis or heart problems, then I agree, but if it's a prime Holy, he beats them all.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Hepatitis holy stops fury, he'd never get up from that hook.

[jezzamundo]

Hepatitis holy stops fury, he'd never get up from that hook.

Considering he has gotten up from both knockdowns in his career so far, I'd say that's a pretty speculative call, although I accept that Evander was a much bigger puncher than Cunningham or Pajkic. I also think that when he's focused, Fury is better defensively than Riddick Bowe, although that's not saying a lot - Bowe's defense was his worst attribute as a fighter.

[Loki]

Holyfield is just too small and light to beat any of the modern day dreadnaughts.

I hope that's a joke?

He beat a prime Bowe who was 6'5" and 240+ in their second fight. Bowe was more offensively skilled than Joshua and Wlad and a harder puncher than Fury.

Then a well past his prime Holyfield gave a prime 6'5" 240+ Lennox Lewis a close fight in their rematch. Lewis was hardly any smaller than today's giants and more skilful than all of them.

If we're talking about the sick Evander with hepatitis or heart problems, then I agree, but if it's a prime Holy, he beats them all.

Not a joke. Let's be practical. Bowe was never as good as the Klitschko brothers or Lennox Lewis in either prime. A good big man also beats a good little man. What I find fascinating is that posters who state past boxers are better than current boxers forget the crucial point that as time goes on humans get better and better. This doesn't hold up every time but 90% it does. Comparing fighters from different era is acinine as, for the majority, it can never argued. It remains to be seen if AJ or Fury develop further.

Holyfield prime was when, pre Bowe trilogy? 1991. He weighed 215lbs. IMO, Prime for Prime, both Klitschkos and Lewis would've been far too big and used their reach and distance to beat Holyfield.

[jezzamundo]

Holyfield is just too small and light to beat any of the modern day dreadnaughts.

I hope that's a joke?

He beat a prime Bowe who was 6'5" and 240+ in their second fight. Bowe was more offensively skilled than Joshua and Wlad and a harder puncher than Fury.

Then a well past his prime Holyfield gave a prime 6'5" 240+ Lennox Lewis a close fight in their rematch. Lewis was hardly any smaller than today's giants and more skilful than all of them.

If we're talking about the sick Evander with hepatitis or heart problems, then I agree, but if it's a prime Holy, he beats them all.

Not a joke. Let's be practical. Bowe was never as good as the Klitschko brothers or Lennox Lewis in either prime. A good big man also beats a good little man. What I find fascinating is that posters who state past boxers are better than current boxers forget the crucial point that as time goes on humans get better and better. This doesn't hold up every time but 90% it does. Comparing fighters from different era is acinine as, for the majority, it can never argued. It remains to be seen if AJ or Fury develop further.

Holyfield prime was when, pre Bowe trilogy? 1991. He weighed 215lbs. IMO, Prime for Prime, both Klitschkos and Lewis would've been far too big and used their reach and distance to beat Holyfield.

I agree that a good big man beats a good smaller man, the vast majority of the time, but a good big man will more often than not lose to a great smaller man.

I disagree that Bowe was never as good at the Klitschko brothers - I actually think he was better than both of them and I think there's an argument that at his peak he was better than Lewis as well, although personally I have Lewis ahead due to his superior defense. What I think there's little argument about is that Bowe is the most offensively skilled of the four giants, though he also had the worst defense.

Most here seem to agree that Holyfield's prime ended with the Bowe rematch in 1993, which I think is pretty accurate, though he was superb for the Tyson fight, he was very poor for his fights between.

You say that both Klits and Lewis would have been far too big, but you're forgetting that Lewis and Holyfield DID fight. Lewis was 33-34 years old for their fights and in his prime. Holyfield was 37-38 and clearly past his. Holyfield gave a very poor performance in the first fight and was clearly beaten in the worst robbery I have ever seen at such a high level. The rematch was a much better fight where Holyfield gave the last great performance of his career. Lewis got the nod, but it was closer than the scorecards indicated and the only fighter badly hurt in the fight was Lewis. If a late 30s Holyfield, with slower hands, slower feet, slower reflexes and worse stamina was able to push a prime Lewis to a close decision, who is to say that a prime Holyfield couldn't win a decision or possibly even stop Lewis?

For me, both Klitschkos, in their primes, were a level below Lewis, Bowe and Holyfield. I could see Vitali's size and style posing problems for Holyfield and could see a close decision going either way. On the other hand, I can't envisage Wlad beating a prime, fit Holyfield.

[Loki]

I hope that's a joke?

He beat a prime Bowe who was 6'5" and 240+ in their second fight. Bowe was more offensively skilled than Joshua and Wlad and a harder puncher than Fury.

Then a well past his prime Holyfield gave a prime 6'5" 240+ Lennox Lewis a close fight in their rematch. Lewis was hardly any smaller than today's giants and more skilful than all of them.

If we're talking about the sick Evander with hepatitis or heart problems, then I agree, but if it's a prime Holy, he beats them all.

Not a joke. Let's be practical. Bowe was never as good as the Klitschko brothers or Lennox Lewis in either prime. A good big man also beats a good little man. What I find fascinating is that posters who state past boxers are better than current boxers forget the crucial point that as time goes on humans get better and better. This doesn't hold up every time but 90% it does. Comparing fighters from different era is acinine as, for the majority, it can never argued. It remains to be seen if AJ or Fury develop further.

Holyfield prime was when, pre Bowe trilogy? 1991. He weighed 215lbs. IMO, Prime for Prime, both Klitschkos and Lewis would've been far too big and used their reach and distance to beat Holyfield.

I agree that a good big man beats a good smaller man, the vast majority of the time, but a good big man will more often than not lose to a great smaller man.

I disagree that Bowe was never as good at the Klitschko brothers - I actually think he was better than both of them and I think there's an argument that at his peak he was better than Lewis as well, although personally I have Lewis ahead due to his superior defense. What I think there's little argument about is that Bowe is the most offensively skilled of the four giants, though he also had the worst defense.

Most here seem to agree that Holyfield's prime ended with the Bowe rematch in 1993, which I think is pretty accurate, though he was superb for the Tyson fight, he was very poor for his fights between.

You say that both Klits and Lewis would have been far too big, but you're forgetting that Lewis and Holyfield DID fight. Lewis was 33-34 years old for their fights and in his prime. Holyfield was 37-38 and clearly past his. Holyfield gave a very poor performance in the first fight and was clearly beaten in the worst robbery I have ever seen at such a high level. The rematch was a much better fight where Holyfield gave the last great performance of his career. Lewis got the nod, but it was closer than the scorecards indicated and the only fighter badly hurt in the fight was Lewis. If a late 30s Holyfield, with slower hands, slower feet, slower reflexes and worse stamina was able to push a prime Lewis to a close decision, who is to say that a prime Holyfield couldn't win a decision or possibly even stop Lewis?

For me, both Klitschkos, in their primes, were a level below Lewis, Bowe and Holyfield. I could see Vitali's size and style posing problems for Holyfield and could see a close decision going either way. On the other hand, I can't envisage Wlad beating a prime, fit Holyfield.

Interesting post, let's agree to disagree. I will say this, Bowe was never the same after the Holyfield trilogy.

[jezzamundo]

Not a joke. Let's be practical. Bowe was never as good as the Klitschko brothers or Lennox Lewis in either prime. A good big man also beats a good little man. What I find fascinating is that posters who state past boxers are better than current boxers forget the crucial point that as time goes on humans get better and better. This doesn't hold up every time but 90% it does. Comparing fighters from different era is acinine as, for the majority, it can never argued. It remains to be seen if AJ or Fury develop further.

Holyfield prime was when, pre Bowe trilogy? 1991. He weighed 215lbs. IMO, Prime for Prime, both Klitschkos and Lewis would've been far too big and used their reach and distance to beat Holyfield.

I agree that a good big man beats a good smaller man, the vast majority of the time, but a good big man will more often than not lose to a great smaller man.

I disagree that Bowe was never as good at the Klitschko brothers - I actually think he was better than both of them and I think there's an argument that at his peak he was better than Lewis as well, although personally I have Lewis ahead due to his superior defense. What I think there's little argument about is that Bowe is the most offensively skilled of the four giants, though he also had the worst defense.

Most here seem to agree that Holyfield's prime ended with the Bowe rematch in 1993, which I think is pretty accurate, though he was superb for the Tyson fight, he was very poor for his fights between.

You say that both Klits and Lewis would have been far too big, but you're forgetting that Lewis and Holyfield DID fight. Lewis was 33-34 years old for their fights and in his prime. Holyfield was 37-38 and clearly past his. Holyfield gave a very poor performance in the first fight and was clearly beaten in the worst robbery I have ever seen at such a high level. The rematch was a much better fight where Holyfield gave the last great performance of his career. Lewis got the nod, but it was closer than the scorecards indicated and the only fighter badly hurt in the fight was Lewis. If a late 30s Holyfield, with slower hands, slower feet, slower reflexes and worse stamina was able to push a prime Lewis to a close decision, who is to say that a prime Holyfield couldn't win a decision or possibly even stop Lewis?

For me, both Klitschkos, in their primes, were a level below Lewis, Bowe and Holyfield. I could see Vitali's size and style posing problems for Holyfield and could see a close decision going either way. On the other hand, I can't envisage Wlad beating a prime, fit Holyfield.

Interesting post, let's agree to disagree. I will say this, Bowe was never the same after the Holyfield trilogy.

Absolutely - no argument there.

[ValMar]

It is off topic, but I have to say that Lewis always has been better boxer than Bowe.
LL had a wonderful career, RB is/was "could be" "should be" "would be"....

[zorndeslammes]

Aside from Joshua and Parker (who are simply not tested enough right now), I have an enormously difficult time picking any active heavyweight to beat Evander Holyfield in the form seen of the Lewis rematch.

[Klee Gluckman]

Holyfield would unify the division no problem, he did it twice in the nineties. I think more interesting questing would be Tyson (1996) v present heavyweights.

[lillywhite14]

This is always going to become a 'old Holyfield almost beat a prime Lewis in their rematch' thread! For the record, Lewis, like Holyfield himself, could turn in the odd duffer of a performance now and then, especially when he didn't respect his opponent. For that rematch, Lewis clearly didn't respect Holyfield and took him lightly because of how easy he found the first fight. People never seem to acknowledge this and trot out 'that was Lewis at his best!'
It really wasn't.

Holy of that night in 96 beats every heavyweight out there today. The juice was strong in Evan during that period, no doubt.

[SFW]

I think Ortiz would be the toughest challenge for Holyfield, not sure how that would play out because Ortiz is pretty smart.