Evander Holyfield

[King Tyson]

yea, he's a legend in my book.

[BKM-]

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 Rid**** 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.

[Thunder Lips]

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.

[Axl Rose]

well

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.

[duffgun]

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.

[boski]

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 ******* 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.

[ianwigley]

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.

[RockyMarciano]

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.

[StarshipTrooper]

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

[Brassangel]

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.