BoxRec

DrDuke wrote: ↑29 Dec 2020, 06:30 Yeah, Holy would pressure Ali no less than Smokin' Joe, but Evander also was faster, more diverse and no less tough. Holy by dec.

scorpio83 wrote: ↑29 Dec 2020, 10:32 IMHO: Your opinions would be an unpopular one because you each think Holy would beat the prime Ali, but this is the prime Ali, who would never allow Holyfield to counter him. Holyfield never face an opponent from a different era who is the GOAT and he's quicker than Chris Byrd.

12 Rounds is not enough, but 15 rounds is more interesting as Holyfield has a different style from Frazier and Norton. Holyfield would pressure and give Ali problems early on, but Ali would box and move around Holyfield behind his long range flurry without stopping on his pedal stood. After out-boxing Holyfield in 15 rounds, Ali would win by decision.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑29 Dec 2020, 10:40

scorpio83 wrote: ↑29 Dec 2020, 10:32 IMHO: Your opinions would be an unpopular one because you each think Holy would beat the prime Ali, but this is the prime Ali, who would never allow Holyfield to counter him. Holyfield never face an opponent from a different era who is the GOAT and he's quicker than Chris Byrd.

12 Rounds is not enough, but 15 rounds is more interesting as Holyfield has a different style from Frazier and Norton. Holyfield would pressure and give Ali problems early on, but Ali would box and move around Holyfield behind his long range flurry without stopping on his pedal stood. After out-boxing Holyfield in 15 rounds, Ali would win by decision.

Neither of them ever faced a fighter like each other. It would be a competitive bout no doubt, but Holyfield has all the tools to potentially defeat Ali. Even Prime Ali.

Would he beat every time? Highly doubtful.

Could he beat him once? Certainly.

Also I don't know why you mentioned Chris Byrd here. Holyfield was well past his prime for the Chris Byrd fight.

Seamus wrote: ↑29 Dec 2020, 10:37 Mover version of Ali would be too quick and mobile for Holyfield and would take a clear decision.

elmersalsa wrote: ↑31 Dec 2020, 11:35 The Real Deal was much more of a complete fighter than The Greatest. But, I don't think that Evander has ever fight a guy with the speed of Ali.

DrDuke wrote: ↑31 Dec 2020, 17:10

elmersalsa wrote: ↑31 Dec 2020, 11:35 The Real Deal was much more of a complete fighter than The Greatest. But, I don't think that Evander has ever fight a guy with the speed of Ali.

Ali also fought only once against the guy of about the same level of toughness, workrate and durability in prime. And he lost.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑31 Dec 2020, 17:15

DrDuke wrote: ↑31 Dec 2020, 17:10

elmersalsa wrote: ↑31 Dec 2020, 11:35 The Real Deal was much more of a complete fighter than The Greatest. But, I don't think that Evander has ever fight a guy with the speed of Ali.

Ali also fought only once against the guy of about the same level of toughness, workrate and durability in prime. And he lost.

You're referring to Frazier, and honestly I would consider Holyfield to be a more complete fighter than Frazier.

I think Holyfield has most of the strengths that Frazier and Norton brought to the table, and then some.

He doesn't have as great of a Left Hook as Frazier, but a more complete arsenal overall, and I don't think there's really anything Norton does that Holyfield doesn't do better, and those were the 2 guys who beat the best versions of Ali who ever took a loss.

Onetimeonly wrote: ↑31 Dec 2020, 21:33 He would have to try, but not his preferred style. He was a bit past it, but he struggled mightily to get Lewis to engage.

elmersalsa wrote: ↑31 Dec 2020, 22:06

Onetimeonly wrote: ↑31 Dec 2020, 21:33 He would have to try, but not his preferred style. He was a bit past it, but he struggled mightily to get Lewis to engage.

Holy was ringworn when he fought Lennox. The fight with Vaughn Bean was the writing on the wall.