Quote Originally Posted by Master View Post
I agree it was close fight and that means Holyfield may have deserved the decision. It was not a robbery but a close fight. Bowe's jab caused major problems for Evander but when Holyfield got past that jab and landed his combinations he was perceived to be winning the rounds.

Again perception was Bowe should easily win against the smaller and older fighter but did not do enough, even as champion, to dominate the underdog we all love.
I don't think of it as a robbery. I just was surprised that I think it is impossible to give to Holy. I thought he won it 7-5 but going back I just can't see how any of the rounds I keep listing could possibly go to Holy. They seem quite clear. I thought of it as a fight where Holy won the night more than the fight. But upon rewatching I don't think he won the night. He did throw the flashier punches, he was the more exciting fighter, and Bowe did look undertrained and ragged. But if you land more, cleaner and harder you win rounds. I was surprised who I kept giving rounds to and thinking "that wasn't close". I watch fights every day as I shower and shave etcetera. I don't score fights when I do this, it's just a chance to watch more fights. But after the first 3 were so clearly to Bowe because Holy did nothing I wondered. So I kept score. I didn't remember this fight as being even controversial. But it is.