Prime Holmes vs. Holyfield?

[Douglas]

Larry Holmes was 42 years old when he fought Evander Holyfield in the early 90's. But had he been in his prime, (Holyfield at same age) how do you think the fight would have turned out?


I believe Holmes would win by KO in the later rounds.

[Master]

Considering the trouble he had with a old Holmes then you would think a prime Larry would win.

Holmes said that Evander was very strong but not the smartest fighter he ever fought. It would not be easy for Holmes but he would have had the boxing skills to win on points. Do not think Larry had the power to stop Evander.

[Dia bando]

Considering the trouble he had with a old Holmes then you would think a prime Larry would win.

Holmes said that Evander was very strong but not the smartest fighter he ever fought. It would not be easy for Holmes but he would have had the boxing skills to win on points. Do not think Larry had the power to stop Evander.

Yes I agree with you spot on Holmes was a very good fighter, far better than Holyfield he was lucky with the judges against Lewis.

[mikeeod]

Full disclosure: Evander is my favorite heavyweight ever and one of my favorite fighters, regardless of weight. I feel like Evander is underappreciated for what he accomplished and how skilled he was, and that what he did at heavyweight is/was the definition of both "pound for pound" and "all time great". That being said, this is the worst style match up for Evander, as he would much rather fight a monster trying to knock his head off than a skilled boxer with a good jab and movement.

Evander's best performances were against guys who came to him like Dokes, Alex Stewart (first fight), Rahman, Mercer, Tyson, and Foreman. His worst performances were against boxers who had good jabs and movement like Chris Byrd, Larry Donald, and Lennox Lewis (thought Evander won the rematch after losing the first fight though). When you think of the style that troubled Evander, you would be hard pressed to find a better fighter than Larry Homes (Ali is his only competition).

I don't see Larry stopping Evander during his prime, since he was able to stand up to Bowe, Lewis, Tyson...etc., in brutal fights (Bowe stopped him in their rubber match, but it's been revealed since that Evander was fighting sick in that one). I can definitely see Larry dominating behind his jab and follow up right, using movement and smarts to frustrate Evander over twelve. Holy was a very tough, proud and skilled warrior, so he would win some rounds and last the distance, but not be able to win or make it a close fight.

[Master]

I wondered why Holyfield did not finish Bowe in that 3rd fight. He just lost the energy.

[brocktonblockbust]

Prime Foreman *****SMOKES***** evander holyfield in 5 rounds. Ron Lyle lasted 5. Holyfield MAY last 4, 5 rounds.

Prime Holmes ****slices and dices******
Evander holyfield and stops him in 13.

Prime Joe Frazier beat Ali, so prime Joe Frazier °°°°°DESTROYS°°°°°° evander holy field in 8 rounds.

[Ron Swanson]

I think the steroids carry Evan the distance but Holmes wins wide.

[mikeeod]

Prime Foreman *****SMOKES***** evander holyfield in 5 rounds. Ron Lyle lasted 5. Holyfield MAY last 4, 5 rounds.

Prime Holmes ****slices and dices******
Evander holyfield and stops him in 13.

Prime Joe Frazier beat Ali, so prime Joe Frazier °°°°°DESTROYS°°°°°° evander holy field in 8 rounds.

Disagree with pretty much everything you said in this post. George and Joe were made for Evander and would both suffer from his chin and countering. The same way Evander controlled Tyson with his jab and by muscling him around, he would control Frazier. Foreman would pound on Evander for 6-7 rounds and get stopped from exhaustion.

[Master]

Prime Foreman *****SMOKES***** evander holyfield in 5 rounds. Ron Lyle lasted 5. Holyfield MAY last 4, 5 rounds.

Prime Holmes ****slices and dices******
Evander holyfield and stops him in 13.

Prime Joe Frazier beat Ali, so prime Joe Frazier °°°°°DESTROYS°°°°°° evander holy field in 8 rounds.

Disagree with pretty much everything you said in this post. George and Joe were made for Evander and would both suffer from his chin and countering. The same way Evander controlled Tyson with his jab and by muscling him around, he would control Frazier. Foreman would pound on Evander for 6-7 rounds and get stopped from exhaustion.

Those are excellent fights and I agree with you!

Holyfield v Joe Frazier
Holyfield v George Foreman.

I think if we could use George experience and brain from the old version with the prime body/power of the younger version we may have the perfect heavyweight ever.