He's a legend to me, whats others opinions of him??
I think he should be spoke of as a great.

He is easily the best Cruiserweight of all-time. Commander Vander was one of my favorite fighters , he had incredible stamina and was hardly involved in a boring fight. In only his 2nd yr as a pro he beat D.M qawi and in 88 he became undisputed cruserweight champ. He beat every heavyweight that was relevant at his peak of his career . He only fell off after all the wars and aging had taken its toll but I have a feeling that Evander might pick up a belt if given the chance in todays environment.

Yeah his fight with Dwight was the best Cruiserweight title fight ever IMO.
The mans a legend now, he has nothing left to prove in my eyes.
Itd be great to see him beat Wlad though.

His fights with Bowe, his fights with Lewis. Evanders the last exciting HW for me.

He was a smallish heavyweight but he dug in and fought down in the trenches. That is why people love and respect him. My favorite fights were Qawi,Dokes,Tyson I,Moorer II . When i would fight my friends with gloves i would always knock them out with the punch I called the Evander punch. His accomplishments and opponents faced rank higher than Tyson but the average joe blow wouldn't know that .

He was a smallish heavyweight but he dug in and fought down in the trenches. That is why people love and respect him. My favorite fights were Qawi,Dokes,Tyson I,Moorer II . When i would fight my friends with gloves i would always knock them out with the punch I called the Evander punch. His accomplishments and opponents faced rank higher than Tyson but the average joe blow wouldn't know that .

I loved his 2nd fight against Bowe, Evander always was involved in great fights.
When do you think he peaked?? I couldnt honestly say because he has had that many great performances throughout his career.

I loved his 2nd fight against Bowe, Evander always was involved in great fights.
When do you think he peaked?? I couldnt honestly say because he has had that many great performances throughout his career.
He did have a lot of great fights but I would say that he peaked in terms of accomplishments and accolades in the 1st Tyson fight. After that fight he had a great performance in the revenge fight with Moorer but he then slipped and was not able to regain his old form. In previous occasions he would avenge a loss or come back stronger but as he got older it was tougher for him to dominate. He still had the skills to compete like an Archie Moore but not enough to be what he once was.

He did have a lot of great fights but I would say that he peaked in terms of accomplishments and accolades in the 1st Tyson fight. After that fight he had a great performance in the revenge fight with Moorer but he then slipped and was not able to regain his old form. In previous occasions he would avenge a loss or come back stronger but as he got older it was tougher for him to dominate. He still had the skills to compete like an Archie Moore but not enough to be what he once was.

I wonder what drives him on?? The guys done everything asked of him,answered every question about his heart and fighting ability yet he still fights on.
He's a different breed, they broke the mould when they made Evander.

I used to hate him, but when you watch his fights from the beginning 'till the end of his career you must give him respect. A perfect example of a guy that isn't the most gifted fighter of them all, but has the will to be the BEST of them all.

He's a living Rocky Balboa: wins big ones he had no business winning, loses his fair share (as he's not the most gifted), but always gives it everything he's got.

I have nothing but respect for Evander. He might not be the best fighter of all time but he certanly has the biggest heart.

And I hope he will pick up another belt and then retire.

Yeah, I agree with pretty much all of the above. With the exception of the Ruiz fights Holyfield never gave us a dull performance. Even today, that Saverese fight was probably the best heavyweight bout of the year (sadly)

Also in regards to the Lenox Lewis bouts, yes Holyfield lost the first bout IMO even though it was called a draw BUT Evander absolutely won their re-match! No doubt in my mind. Yet when people go back in history they assume Lewis owned Holyfield and was a better all time boxer because of it, NOT TRUE AT ALL. I think a third match was needed for those two.

Yeah, I agree with pretty much all of the above. With the exception of the Ruiz fights Holyfield never gave us a dull performance. Even today, that Saverese fight was probably the best heavyweight bout of the year (sadly)

Also in regards to the Lenox Lewis bouts, yes Holyfield lost the first bout IMO even though it was called a draw BUT Evander absolutely won their re-match! No doubt in my mind. Yet when people go back in history they assume Lewis owned Holyfield and was a better all time boxer because of it, NOT TRUE AT ALL. I think a third match was needed for those two.

Ruiz made that fight boring tho, It wasnt Evanders fault.
I make you right on his fight with Saverse being best HW fight of the year, it shows Evander has got something special that the other HWs havent.
Aye I agree Holyfield defintley won the rematch with Lewis, true boxing fans know that Lewis wasnt better then Holyfield.
I liked how Holyfield could fight effectively in different ways, up on his toes moving, standing his ground and slugging, plus he has shown his chins good.
Evander is what a champ should be all about.

Also in regards to the Lenox Lewis bouts, yes Holyfield lost the first bout IMO even though it was called a draw BUT Evander absolutely won their re-match! No doubt in my mind. Yet when people go back in history they assume Lewis owned Holyfield and was a better all time boxer because of it, NOT TRUE AT ALL. I think a third match was needed for those two.

That second fight is so frustrating to watch for me. When Evander turned it up and actually got active, he was jabbing the hell out of Lewis and rocking him with big punches. It was apparent that he could take over the fight at will....but only in spurts, and I think he took more than a few rounds off while Lewis racked up the points with well...partially blocked and flat out blocked jabs. I think those body jabs hurt and drained Lewis and Holyfield actually looked fresher by fights end, but he just couldn't seem to stay busy and get more punches off.

I do agree with Foreman's observation that Evander probably did enough to get by, but after the controversy of the first fight that wasn't going to happen. Shame. A third fight was needed even though it was becoming more and more apparent that Evander was slowing down considerably; but who knows how it would have went down if it actually happened?

Don't want to start a flame war or anything, but as admirable as Holyfield's battles have been, no discussion of him should discount the likelihood that he used steroids to bulk up. To me, this seriously taints his career & legacy.

I like him as a fighter, but certain things need to mentioned. He beat an overweight clubfighter to take the title. He struggled with Foreman, Holmes, and almost got knocked out by Bert Cooper. Prior to winning the title, he struggled with over-the-hill Michael Dokes, and a journeyman in Alex Stewart (twice). Yes, he beat Mike Tyson, but pretty much everyone agrees that Mike was a shot fighter in disguise by then.

I like him as a fighter, but certain things need to mentioned. He beat an overweight clubfighter to take the title. He struggled with Foreman, Holmes, and almost got knocked out by Bert Cooper. Prior to winning the title, he struggled with over-the-hill Michael Dokes, and a journeyman in Alex Stewart (twice). Yes, he beat Mike Tyson, but pretty much everyone agrees that Mike was a shot fighter in disguise by then.


They were both past their prime, but Holyfield was the one whom people thought was shot going in.

People, because of hope or their unrealistic expectations, thought Tyson in 1996 was the Tyson of old.

But really, both guys had seen better days. Holyfield adapted better as he got older than Tyson did.

as for an exciting fighter, Holyfield is definetaly one of the most exciting fighters of all time, i think he has a top notch resume and hes a definite all-time great.

I like him as a fighter, but certain things need to mentioned. He beat an overweight clubfighter to take the title. He struggled with Foreman, Holmes, and almost got knocked out by Bert Cooper.


I haven't seen the other fights in some time but Holyfield most certainly did not struggle against Foreman. Obviously, he couldn't knock the big man out but he came pretty damn close before easing off in the last couple rounds and cut the big guy some slack. Holyfield scored with ease, and at wrost took the few shots that glanced or caught him very well. He got hurt by a clubbing shot in the seventh but quickly recovered and won the round. He won almost every round but maybe one or two for crying out loud. And old man Foreman wasn't exactly a push over, the guy was smart, still hit like a truck, was very durable, and most of all very hungry.

The overweight clubfighter did win the title from Tyson, Holyfield can't help it if he showed up for a payday. At any rate, he did what your suppose to do to overweight clubfighters. Can't fault him for that.

I agree, I'm just saying that most of the reason people give Evander such a high place on the all-time list is because of his wins over Tyson. Tyson, although we didn't know it at the time, was only a shell of his former self. And if we all agree that Tyson was no longer a great fighter at that time, then why does Evander get such high marks for beating him? I'm just saying that while Holyfield does possess all the attributes of a great fighter, perhaps his resume is not as impressive as it appears at first glance.

yea, he's a legend in my book.

I like him as a fighter, but certain things need to mentioned. He beat an overweight clubfighter to take the title. He struggled with Foreman, Holmes, and almost got knocked out by Bert Cooper. Prior to winning the title, he struggled with over-the-hill Michael Dokes, and a journeyman in Alex Stewart (twice). Yes, he beat Mike Tyson, but pretty much everyone agrees that Mike was a shot fighter in disguise by then.

He respectfully beat Foreman, Holmes and others. But he knocked guys out like Cooper, Dokes..hard punchers that nobody expected to be ko'd by a ''blown up Cruiserweight''. When he struggled with some like Cooper, Bowe etc, he came back harder than ever before. So in essence, him struggling with those guys before, only shows his greatness because he overcame the odds. Only a few times like against Stewart, but he still beat him in a rematch.
He gets respect for beating Tyson because nobody thought he would, some thought he would get killed and all of that. So again, he overcame the odds like a champion. And he sure as heck didn't overcome his head:) if that crap makes any sence lol.
One more thing though, Holyfield is great because of his trilogy with Riddick bowe. Or atleast, this is what true boxing fans will remember him for. Hope you don't feel dissrespected, but i really think he deserves all the credit he gets.

I agree, I'm just saying that most of the reason people give Evander such a high place on the all-time list is because of his wins over Tyson. Tyson, although we didn't know it at the time, was only a shell of his former self. And if we all agree that Tyson was no longer a great fighter at that time, then why does Evander get such high marks for beating him? I'm just saying that while Holyfield does possess all the attributes of a great fighter, perhaps his resume is not as impressive as it appears at first glance.

Others have done covered this. Both guys were past their primes and only like one polled "expert" predicted a Holyfield win against Tyson. He was a considerable underdog going in. Hell, most people still expected Tyson to win the rematch. Tyson was still very much seen as being pretty much invincible at that point and he did perform well in those matches, Holyfield just fought a damn near perfect fight.

I like Holyfield for his gruelling fights against Mercer, Bowe, and Cooper. I do believe Holyfield/Bowe I is the apex of the Heavyweight division with all time great performances from both guys and I really dislike Bowe.

Holyfiled was kind of a dirty fighter.I am one of those who actually can see why Tyson biter hes ear. Holyfield were a headbutter. In the second fight with tyson Holyfield headbutted him, Tyson coudnt have completed the match anyway because sooner or later it would start to bleed.

Holyfiled was kind of a dirty fighter.I am one of those who actually can see why Tyson biter hes ear. Holyfield were a headbutter. In the second fight with tyson Holyfield headbutted him, Tyson coudnt have completed the match anyway because sooner or later it would start to bleed.

i kinda agree with that in a way i have seen every holyfield fight and he did headbut alot, when tyson opened up after that head butt he was having a lot of success he should just have thrown loads of punches like he was doing rather than bite his ear.

I was ringside at Holyfield -Bowe 1 in vegas.There were a couple of times that Holy got hit with clean shots that sounded like a shotgun going off when they hit him. I remember thinking this one is over as his eyes rolled back and his legs wobbled. Then when Bowe went for the finish, Holyfield fought back like a caged lion and refused to go on the defensive. Soon, he would have Bowe on the defense. It was one of the most remarkable things I had ever seen even though he lost the decision. Holyfield was a true warrior with a lions heart and courage.

Holyfield has AMAZING self belief, absolutely amazing self belief. Dude don't think anyone can beat him. This is half of any of his battles won before he steps in the ring. Holyfield dodged no-one either. My fave heavyweight bar none. He never possessed that thing that Tyson possessed, but he went about his business in a different way, and he got the job done that way. A legend.

Holyfield is my favorite boxer and he is a champion. It will be great to see him bring a belt home to america on the 13th.

:boxing:

While I don't think Holyfield will be bringing home any belts (unless he lands a lucky one against a glass jawed belt holder) he is an all-time great and in his prime he could hold his own against anyone. There were times I think he willed himself to win. A resourceful fighter who had the goods.

Poet

He's a legend to me, whats others opinions of him??
I think he should be spoke of as a great.

No doubt. Holyfield is a living legend.

Holyfield had perhaps the biggest heart in the history of the heavyweight division. Not since Joe Frazier had we seen someone work like a warrior all fight long, get up from incredible odds, get outmatched, and still keep fighting.

Holyfield was not as talented as Tyson, and even though both fighters were beyond their primes, Mike was still dangerous and possessed the tools to beat Holyfield. He should have beaten Holyfield. The difference was Holyfield came to fight, and he brought a very sound, tactical, "A" game. Tyson underestimated an aged, lesser opponent (much like Douglas), and it cost him. In the rematch, for those who have paid close attention to it, Tyson was winning the 3rd round and just threw it away. Even though they disliked each other, Holyfield kept his composure (short of the headbutts...which were most likely not all intentional).

He did surprisingly well in a division full of decent heavyweights, as the 90's were actually a lot better than people give the decade credit for. His late losses were the result of a body that simply couldn't do it anymore, not his heart.

He is a living Rocky Balboa.

What I don't like is when people say things like Holyfield was not really gifted, had minimal pysical ability etc. And that his heart and will was made him succesfull. Partially true, but Holyfield was a VERY gifted athlete. If it wasn't for his size and Boxing skills, he would have been a professional football player.
The man was an unbelievable pound for pound specimen. His legs were lean and skinny compared to the big guys, his waist and the rest of his frame were clearly smaller than your average heavyweights, yet he still was one of the physically strongest fighters ever lived(I've even seen him hold his own against the beast that is Foreman) able to push anyone back, even the likes of Lewis, Bowe, Mercer, Tyson etc.
He could slug with the BIG men, had a chin that stayed iron all the way up to heavyweight. And even after all the battles he's been trough, he can still fight decent fighters.
That is what impressed me the most about Evander Holyfield. To me, he's the ultimate evidence that size is not everything.