Evander Holyfield, he was the man in the heavyweight division of the 1990s. He fought 19 times during the decade or almost an average of two fights per year despite a semi-retirement stretch due to suspected heart problem, winning 14, losing 4 and drawing once. He defeated Seamus McDonaugh,(KO) Buster Douglas (KO),George Foreman (UD), Bert Cooper (KO), Larry Holmes (KO), Alex Stewart (KO), Riddick Bowe ( UD,title rematch ),Ray Mercer (UD), Bobby Czyz (KO), Mike Tyson (twice by KO, DQ), Michael Moorer ( TKO, title rematch) and Vaugh Bean (UD). He lost to Bowe twice ( 1st fight UD, 3rd fight TKO), Moorer (UD, 1st fight) and Lennox Lewis (UD, 2nd fight ) and drew with Lewis in their first title fight. He faced best of the heavyweight division in this period, beating most of them.
Lennox Lewis really just came strongly in the 2nd half of the 1990s though he lost just one fight in that stretch by upset KO to Oliver McCall whom he beat in rematch. The biggest name in his resume was just Holyfield as he feasted on aging Mike Weaver and Frank Bruno and former Tyson victim Razor Ruddock . He also beat David Tua, Tommy Morrison, Andrew Golota and Shannon Briggs. On the overall, however, his opposition paled in comparison to that of Holyfield who had seven former, reigning or future world champs in his list during the period.
I would say Holyfield with Lennox being a close second even though Holyfield lost to Lennox. Holyfield fought just about every big name HW in the 90's. He fought Bowe 3x, Moorer 2x, Tyson 2x, Lewis 2x, Ray Mercer, and so on. It's close, but I give the edge to Evander.
Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield were the two dominant Heavyweights of the pre-Klitschko era. It is a matter of opinion as to which of the two were the more historically significant, but generally speaking Holyfield rates higher in most discussions.
It's got to be Evander Holyfield. Who can forget the trilogy with Riddick Bowe, his upset win over Tyson and the "ear-biting" rematch and the two fights with Moorer, among others, which were all classic. The 90's really belonged to The Real Deal.
Iron Mike
dude mike tyson hands down. his skill and power was amazing. and his defense and speed was still incredible. and all that in a enormously built man. he moved like a lightweight and hits like a train.
i go with holyfield as well.
FRANK BRUNO ...........
but really i would go with holyfield
I gotta go with Lennox Lewis. He won the title twice and was still strong going into the new century.
