The better HW of their era, Holyfield or Lewis?

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Originally Posted by ono

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

These 2 are considered the best of their era, but who would take the title? Who was considered to be the best of their era? Some people say Lewis and some say Holyfield?

It's hard to say. I think Holyfield was better technically than Lewis, and was probably easier on the eye. This probably stems from him being lighter and more mobile. With that said, i think Lewis' resume at Heavyweight is more impressive.

So i'm going to say Lewis. But it's close.

I also felt the same way too. Holyfield had a better chin, hand and foot speed, and determination. Lewis had power, size, and a better resume at HW, not that Holyfield's wasn't but Lewis also fought guys like Grant, Morrison, Ruddock, Tua, Vitali, etc. So for me it goes to Lewis, because of the resume. Still close though.

Yeah it could be the case that Holyfield was probably a more complete fighter, but Lewis simply got it done.

I'd have them both above Tyson anyway.

I agree with you both, but i think Evander Holyfield would beat Lennox Lewis P4P. Lennox Lewis was in his prime when he fought Evander Holyfield, where as Evander Holyfield was on the downslide losing to John Ruiz after the Lennox Lewis fights.

The early 1990's version of Evander Holyfield would win IMO, although thats probably and unpopular opinion.

Originally Posted by ICB

I agree with you both, but i think Evander Holyfield would beat Lennox Lewis P4P. Lennox Lewis was in his prime when he fought Evander Holyfield, where as Evander Holyfield was on the downslide losing to John Ruiz after the Lennox Lewis fights.

The early 1990's version of Evander Holyfield would win IMO, although thats probably and unpopular opinion.

No, that's not an unpopular opinion, I feel that the 89-92 Holyfield takes the best version of Lewis and would give any HW in history a run for their money.

Call it a draw Nah I say Holyfield. Believe of the two he fully maximized what he had on a consistent basis. Seemed to have taken Lewis some time to know self in the ring while Holyfield hit the ground running out of the Olympics, style and fire wise. Has entered that foggy faded era now in sticking around, took some bad style clashes on, pointless opponents in stubborn clamor for belt.

Originally Posted by ICB

I agree with you both, but i think Evander Holyfield would beat Lennox Lewis P4P. Lennox Lewis was in his prime when he fought Evander Holyfield, where as Evander Holyfield was on the downslide losing to John Ruiz after the Lennox Lewis fights.

The early 1990's version of Evander Holyfield would win IMO, although thats probably and unpopular opinion.

I totally agree with this post. I always felt that the Evander that won the title first time around would beat any version of Lewis. Not knocking Lewis in any way as I feel Evander is probably the 3rd or 4th greatest HW of all time behind Ali, Louis and MAYBE 70's Foreman. There are others who could easily be argued to be above Holyfield I know but this is my opinion and Evander is my all time favourite HW .

As for Resumes I feel they are pretty equal, Evander didn't fight Grant, Ruddock, Tua and Vitali but Lewis didn't fight Moorer, Bowe, Foreman or Holmes. So to me they were pretty equal in that sense. Also Evander fought a much more dangerous version of Tyson IMO, and a Tyson that still carried a slight air of invincibility.

It is a close call and anyone arguing either fighter has a case, but my vote definitely goes for Evander.

holyfield was definately more exciting, a fighter you couldnt help but get behind and will to win

lewis at his best tho would beat hollyfield at his best

Originally Posted by erics44

holyfield was definately more exciting, a fighter you couldnt help but get behind and will to win

lewis at his best tho would beat hollyfield at his best

IMO Lewis was at his peak when they did fight and Evander was quite a way past his best.

I have to give it to Holyfield, Lewis was good but Holyfield was a machine fighting guys much bigger and stronger then himself in the HW division. He won fights with heart and determination over much bigger men then himself and he was so much more exiting to watch then Lewis could ever be.


If Holyfield only had the size of Bowe and Lewis with his determination and toughness their would be no question who was better in his era, average size HW's these days have a long road ahead of them fighting guys who out weigh them by 30 to 70 lbs and several inches taller. Then you have Valuev who is a shit fighter but will still give a great average sized HW problems just from the pure size advantage.

Originally Posted by rjj tszyu

Originally Posted by erics44

holyfield was definately more exciting, a fighter you couldnt help but get behind and will to win

lewis at his best tho would beat hollyfield at his best

IMO Lewis was at his peak when they did fight and Evander was quite a way past his best.

you might be right

i dont think either fight was lewis at his best

to be honest i cant even remember the fights, i remember thinking lewis had won the first quite clearly and the second being much closer, thats about it

Well to be fair Fenster, Holyfeild by the third Bowie fight had some serious health issues and even worse when he came to the lewis fights he was getting up there in age.

Originally Posted by ICB

I agree with you both, but i think Evander Holyfield would beat Lennox Lewis P4P. Lennox Lewis was in his prime when he fought Evander Holyfield, where as Evander Holyfield was on the downslide losing to John Ruiz after the Lennox Lewis fights.

The early 1990's version of Evander Holyfield would win IMO, although thats probably and unpopular opinion.

I'd agree with that

I have said above that I think peak Holyfield beats peak Lewis, but it's tight. When was peak Holyfield? The 1st Bowe fight arguably? Lewis was better than Bowe, so maybe Lewis would've out jabbed and beaten Holyfield

I'm sticking with Evander, but very hard to call

Whilst I say Tyson beats both at his peak Lewis was better than Holfield.

Holyfields peak is a mystery because after the Bowe defeat he was inconsistent, great against Tyson, Lewis II, Moorer II but poor against Lewis I, Moorer I and Bowe III.

I have picked Lewis but like most people have said its very close between the two. I wish there was a "too close to call" option.

You could say that Holyfield in the early 1990s was in his prime but he was also reckless and often resorted to brawling and standing toe to toe rather than keeping to a game plan.
Lewis for me was the better all round package but he had all the natural advantages Evander didn't. (apart from an iron chin)

Well Holyfeild resume at heavy is pretty good i mean he has wins over Bowe, Tyson, Foreman, and Holmes and he took to Lewis in rematch at 36. To me his heart condition is what made him inconsistent i mean Holyfeild has alot of medical issues i not sure how he is still allowed to fight to be honest.