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I hardly ever hear of this mythical matchup being discuss. So let's say the best version of Holyfield vs the best version of Ali.
This version of Holyfield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLhY96EzkxQ
against this verision of Ali
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFFDe9FQL3s
Who wins? Discuss.
I think Ali would be too fast plus the reach advantage. Holyfield never faced someone like Ali in his prime, with a good jab and good movement. It would be close kind of like a Frazier type fight with Holyfield's awesome countering, but Ali would control the fight with that jab potshotting for most of the fight. Close Ali decision.
Evander has always been easy to hit so Ali would pepper him with shots and his movement would make it difficult for Evander to find a target for his own shots.
Ali by UD maybe late stoppage. Evander was great with pressure but his defense was only good because of how great his chin was. Holyfield is like Hopkins, he liked an ugly dirty style of boxing..ali was too smart and too quick to get involved in that.
Holyfield vs: Frazier, Norton, or Lyle would have been GREAT
I'll take Holyfield. Ali hadn't faced anyone worth a damn except Liston at that point. Terrell, Williams , Cooper ,Chuvalo and an old Patterson and Archie Moore. Most were media hyped and others were just flat out too old. Holyfield's resume was pretty impressive fighting everyone in the heavies except for Tyson at that point. I think it would be a close fight but Holyfield wins with combinations Ali just wouldn't have enough power in that jab to keep Holyfield off of him all night.
Holyfield against Frazier would have been a GREAT fight...Talk about two guys going to war inside the pocket.....As far as the Ali/Evander bout like most IMO Ali just too fast for him but if Ali was hurt or somehow was made to fight inside I favor Evander who had better wiskers in such situations....I think the later Ali who used the rope a dope whould have gotten beaten up by EvanderQuote:
Originally Posted by El Kabong
ALI in a shut out!