joe louis vs evander holyfield

[Violent Demise]

Just as long as no-one is suggesting that Evander was a better fighter than Louis. That's like saying Sergei Likyovic is better than Ali was. Evander was a great fighter for his skills, heart and ability to fight above his natural weight and win.

The early part of his so-called prime as a heavy included lackluster wins over old versions of Holmes and Foreman, Losses to Moorer and Bowe and struggles with fringe contenders like Birt Cooper. He wasn't a particularly well regarded champ in the eyes of fans or pundits until he beat Tyson. The Tyson victory spoke volumes about the strength of Holyfeild's character and refusal to be intimidated, but chances these things were the keys to his win, rather than his skills which may already have been in decline. Declining skills (rather than a reluctance to accept the deserved victory of a British heavyweight) were cited as the reason for Evander's difficulties with Lewis not long after.

Depending on who you talk to, either Louis or ALI is the best heavy of all time. IMO Holyfield wasn't as good a fighter as Holmes who is behind Louis in my book

I'm not suggesting, I'm saying. Holyfield was a better fighter than Louis. I rank Louis third all time, behind Ali and yes Holyfield. The fact that Holyfield wasn't particularly well regarded early in his heavyweight career should not be held against him. He was a fighting champ who ducked nobody. Eventhough he was practically always at a disadvantage size wise. I think Lennox Lewis was robbed of a win in there first fight. Without a doubt. But rather I'm in the minority or not. I think Holyfield won there second fight. They just couldn't give him the win, because of what happen in there first fight. I know Louis was a great fighter (which is why I rank him 3rd). Only a fool would say he wasn't. But I feel Holyfield was just a little better. It's personal opinion, knock it if you want. It won't be the first time it has been.

[fungabhai]

No way would Louis beat Prime Holyfied... NO WAY. If Foreman and Tyson couldn't knock HOlyfield out then Louis isn't scratching him. Holyfield is more skilled, and more powerful.

im not saying louis can knock him out but foreman wasnt in his prime and tyson just came out of jail he was more of abodybuilder than a boxer at that time

Tyson when he fought Holyfield would have slaughtered Louis... same with Foreman. IMO Foreman was probably stronger when he came back because he had more weight behind the punches... even he said he pretty much had the same power as when he was young, and he hit Holyfield cleanly a few times prime or not prime and Holyfield took them well.

foreman said he thinks his stronger but we all know he wasnt as strong because when he was younger he would throw wild arm punches and knocked people down and when he got older he couldnt knock every1 out even with his body behind it

[Googoogachoob]

Louis would probably be a couple of inches taller and 225-230lbs if he was a modern era fighter. Look at Holyfeild: a very short 6'2" and a natural cruiser who bodybuilt his way to heavyweight.

Louis was an accurate combination puncher like Evander with a better jab and more power. If Moorer and Cooper amd ancient versions of Foreman and Holmes can be competitive against a "prime' Holyfield, Lous would handle him IMO. Probably stop him because of Evander's heart for a brawl.

I really think this is a total mismatch. It doesn't matter what Louis would be like nowadays... we don't know. Holyfield now definitely would have beaten Louis of then.

I think when comparing heavys from different eras you can sometimes assume that the older heavys were smaller but this isn't always the case. Holyfield, Tyson & Louis, for example, all fought at around 15 to 15 & a half stone.

My thinking is that if you think Tyson has a shot at beating anybody on the all time heavyweight list then you have to consuder Louis as well because they didn't weigh that much differently. Louis against Holyfield is a complete mismatch as far as I'm concerned. Louis hits faster & harder. His combination punching & range of punching is far better, his jab is better & he is the best finisher in heavyweight history.

The point has been made that if Tyson can't hurt Holyfield then Louis can't. Why? I wouldn't assume that Tyson punches harder than Louis because I don't think he does. Louis punches harder IMO & throws a better variety of combination punches at roughly the same speed.

The only argument that I can think of that helps Holyfield is his heart but that wouldn't get him far in this fight I would pick Louis within 5.

[Taeth]

Louis would probably be a couple of inches taller and 225-230lbs if he was a modern era fighter. Look at Holyfeild: a very short 6'2" and a natural cruiser who bodybuilt his way to heavyweight.

Louis was an accurate combination puncher like Evander with a better jab and more power. If Moorer and Cooper amd ancient versions of Foreman and Holmes can be competitive against a "prime' Holyfield, Lous would handle him IMO. Probably stop him because of Evander's heart for a brawl.

I really think this is a total mismatch. It doesn't matter what Louis would be like nowadays... we don't know. Holyfield now definitely would have beaten Louis of then.

I think when comparing heavys from different eras you can sometimes assume that the older heavys were smaller but this isn't always the case. Holyfield, Tyson & Louis, for example, all fought at around 15 to 15 & a half stone.

My thinking is that if you think Tyson has a shot at beating anybody on the all time heavyweight list then you have to consuder Louis as well because they didn't weigh that much differently. Louis against Holyfield is a complete mismatch as far as I'm concerned. Louis hits faster & harder. His combination punching & range of punching is far better, his jab is better & he is the best finisher in heavyweight history.

The point has been made that if Tyson can't hurt Holyfield then Louis can't. Why? I wouldn't assume that Tyson punches harder than Louis because I don't think he does. Louis punches harder IMO & throws a better variety of combination punches at roughly the same speed.

The only argument that I can think of that helps Holyfield is his heart but that wouldn't get him far in this fight I would pick Louis within 5.

Please watch some Louis then Watch Holyfiedl the difference in them isn't weight necessarily, but that Holyfield fought real opponents and Louis never did... He fought guys like Baer, Braddock, and other fighters I think wouldn't have made any sound in the heavyweight division in any other era even now... The fact that guys like Jersey Joe Walcott, Conn gave Joe a hard time makes me feel that Evander would destroy him. Like I said before watch them back to back you'll see HOlyfield is alot faster, throws similar combinations except he has better technique and gets more power behind the punches, but he fought against much bigger men who could take more bigger punches with much bigger gloves which also plays a factor on handspeed.

[Googoogachoob]

Louis would probably be a couple of inches taller and 225-230lbs if he was a modern era fighter. Look at Holyfeild: a very short 6'2" and a natural cruiser who bodybuilt his way to heavyweight.

Louis was an accurate combination puncher like Evander with a better jab and more power. If Moorer and Cooper amd ancient versions of Foreman and Holmes can be competitive against a "prime' Holyfield, Lous would handle him IMO. Probably stop him because of Evander's heart for a brawl.

I really think this is a total mismatch. It doesn't matter what Louis would be like nowadays... we don't know. Holyfield now definitely would have beaten Louis of then.

I think when comparing heavys from different eras you can sometimes assume that the older heavys were smaller but this isn't always the case. Holyfield, Tyson & Louis, for example, all fought at around 15 to 15 & a half stone.

My thinking is that if you think Tyson has a shot at beating anybody on the all time heavyweight list then you have to consuder Louis as well because they didn't weigh that much differently. Louis against Holyfield is a complete mismatch as far as I'm concerned. Louis hits faster & harder. His combination punching & range of punching is far better, his jab is better & he is the best finisher in heavyweight history.

The point has been made that if Tyson can't hurt Holyfield then Louis can't. Why? I wouldn't assume that Tyson punches harder than Louis because I don't think he does. Louis punches harder IMO & throws a better variety of combination punches at roughly the same speed.

The only argument that I can think of that helps Holyfield is his heart but that wouldn't get him far in this fight I would pick Louis within 5.

Please watch some Louis then Watch Holyfiedl the difference in them isn't weight necessarily, but that Holyfield fought real opponents and Louis never did... He fought guys like Baer, Braddock, and other fighters I think wouldn't have made any sound in the heavyweight division in any other era even now... The fact that guys like Jersey Joe Walcott, Conn gave Joe a hard time makes me feel that Evander would destroy him. Like I said before watch them back to back you'll see HOlyfield is alot faster, throws similar combinations except he has better technique and gets more power behind the punches, but he fought against much bigger men who could take more bigger punches with much bigger gloves which also plays a factor on handspeed.

Are you saying that Holyfield is a bigger puncher than Louis?

[JT Rock]

I just think Evander had alot of intangibles..His will to win was 2nd to none the man fought his heartout every second of every round every fight he never came in out of shape his sheer determination was just terrifying...I see Evander winning by decision

[leon9996]

a prime evander would kick his arse watch holyfield in the early nineties he was so fast and accurate,joe would'nt be able to deal with him,no way

[Taeth]

No way would Louis beat Prime Holyfied... NO WAY. If Foreman and Tyson couldn't knock HOlyfield out then Louis isn't scratching him. Holyfield is more skilled, and more powerful.

im not saying louis can knock him out but foreman wasnt in his prime and tyson just came out of jail he was more of abodybuilder than a boxer at that time

Tyson when he fought Holyfield would have slaughtered Louis... same with Foreman. IMO Foreman was probably stronger when he came back because he had more weight behind the punches... even he said he pretty much had the same power as when he was young, and he hit Holyfield cleanly a few times prime or not prime and Holyfield took them well.

foreman said he thinks his stronger but we all know he wasnt as strong because when he was younger he would throw wild arm punches and knocked people down and when he got older he couldnt knock every1 out even with his body behind it

Yes he could... Just not guys like Evander HOlyfield... also take into account he was now wearing 16 ounce gloves, and not the 10-12 ounce gloves they did in his prime.. Also guys now are bigger, and have bigger necks, and are stronger which makes them harder to knockout. People get strongest in their early 40's.

[boonbun]

Look at Holyfeild: a very short 6'2"

A very short 6'2"? What the hell does that mean? 6'2" is 6"2", and someone who is 6'2" is and should be considered tall.