What do you think?
Evander Holyfield was the ultimate athlete. However, he did have a few flaws as a boxer. He was not the greatest late-rounds fighter. Because he bulked up to heavyweight using weights, Holyfield lacked the "twitch muscle movement" that most pure boxers have.
Any athletic activity can only be enhanced by weight training. However, there were times when Holyfield seemed to over do it with the weights. This served him well against less mobile fighters but it would have been a mistake against guys like Larry Holmes or Muhammad Ali.
Holyfield would lose the early boxing match, the "battle of the jab". He would be out-jabbed by Holmes clearly in the first three rounds. Ever the warrior, Holyfield would move inside and turn it into a fight. However, Holmes is cagey and would tie Holyfield up on the inside. He would stop Holyfield's advances then put some distance between them, turning the fight back into a boxing match..................only for Holyfield to renew his advances..............and be schooled again.
This would be the tempo of the fight until Holmes succeeds in convincing Holyfield that he can't win a boxing match. By this time, Holyfield's stamina has been taxed and he's starting to make mistakes. Surprised by Holmes' sudden aggression, Holyfield makes mistakes and misses a number of shots. Leading head first, Holyfield comes inside and runs into an uppercut with Holmes pinned to a corner. Holyfield goes to a knee.
Up at four, Holyfield moves in carefully but is clearly outworked by Holmes down the stretch. At heavyweight, Holyfield is great. However, his stamina was never the greatest. Holmes takes a distance fight but, in another scenario I could see the fight being stopped in round 14. For now, I'll go with a points win.
I could see Holmes stopping the 91 version of Holyfield, probably on cuts or on his stool in the late rounds. I could see Holyfield 96 (as he was against Tyson), going the distance and losing on points.
Since you chose the Holyfield of 1991..........
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Holmes by TKO in 14
Larry Homes at his ultimate best had the greatest jab I've ever seen and maybe even better than Ali's which is saying something. Larry did not get the attention and respect he felt he deserved and was quite outspoken and sullen never exactly being fans with the press. He not only had that great jab of his but was a complete boxer with excellent power as well and coming though in tough fights showing a Championship heart on several occasions. Evander Holyfield at his best was the ultimate warrior showing no fear in the ring. One thing for certain is that you could never count Holyfield out in a fight as he had that knack of coming back from adversity. Holyfield was an excellent boxer and counter puncher and not afraid to go inside and trade punches with anyone so this culd have been a great fight much like the Norton vs Holmes fight was. Yes I brelieve it would have been similar because of their styles and because both men had Championship caliber hearts with no quit in either man. I believe there would have been a lot of close rounds throughout and though there would have been a lot of moments with both men shaking the other with jolting shots, there would be no knockdowns. At the end of 15 rounds there would be a standing ovation for both men. I know you believe it would have been a boring fight but the reason I think it would have been exciting is because Holyfields fights were almost always exciting.
Holmes WSD15
Note: In the rematch Holyfield takes a close decision.
That's an easy one here. I think this fight would be similar to the Holyfield-Lewis fights. Larry however is faster than Lewis and had a superior jab and chin. Evander Holyfield could never beat a prime Holmes by points, since Larry is way the superior fighter(when it comes to style, speed, accuracy and grace). The only heavyweight boxer who could've had a chance in beating a prime Larry Holmes by points is Muhammad Ali. The other problem for Holyfield is Larry's chin. I don't see Holyfield winning by a knockout, because Larry's chin is too hard for Holyfields punches. Larry could take the punches of Earnie Shavers and even Tyson had problems in knocking out an older and out-of-shape and out-of-prime Holmes. Plus Holyfield was never a very hard puncher. Big George Foreman or Earnie Shavers would have had a chance to knock a prime Holmes out, but never a "weaker puncher" like Holyfield. In the cruiserweight division, Holyfield would probably have beaten Holmes, since Holyfield is the greatest cruiserweight boxer ever. But in the heavyweight area Holyfield would be too slow, too weak and immobile for a prime Holmes.
I agree with you on Larry winning with his jab. Holmes' jab is arguably the best among heavyweights. It's long, it's quick and had enough sting to stop opponents on their tracks. If he'd box from the distance using that jab while moving around the ring, he'd outpoint Holyfield. But I don't think it'd be a boring fight. Evander is a very smart fighter. He loves to come in with his head, clinch and push you away and he could do that because of his tremendous strength and conditioning. These tricks of his would piss Larry and might prompt him to mix it up with Holyfield, and going toe-to-toe with Evander is pretty dangerous because he's got quick hands as well and he could hit. Anyway, if Larry maintains his composure, he'd get the UD.
I agree, Holmes jabs Holyfield out of the fight. Nobody else beat 1980 Holmes, so I don't see why Evander would've been any different.
Yep, I think Holmes would dominate with his jab all night long and win a decision.
this one is close, but it's holmes by split decision.
Cant see Evander Knocking out Larry and I think Larry wins with his jab in a boring fight.
What do you think?
