1963 Henry Cooper vs 1988 Evander Holyfield

[uncle ben]

The Holyfield who stopped Deleon vs prime time Hnery Cooper? Who wins this?

[Clegg]

Cooper was a good fighter but not on that level, I don't see him winning rounds or lasting the distance.

[OctoberRed]

Interesting clash of styles, but I back Holyfield in this fight.

[Rusty Tromboni]

Holyfield at his Cw prime might be the best sub-200 pound fighter ever. I dunno, he wasn't there long enough, nor was he really tested that much while there. But he was a very complete fighter.

Tremendously underrated, ironically due to his work at 190 being over-shadowed by his real-life super hero campaign in the Heavyweight division.

[billeau2]

Holyfield at his Cw prime might be the best sub-200 pound fighter ever. I dunno, he wasn't there long enough, nor was he really tested that much while there. But he was a very complete fighter.

Tremendously underrated, ironically due to his work at 190 being over-shadowed by his real-life super hero campaign in the Heavyweight division.

Holly was very very good.

Question: How does a boxing expert decide who the best cruiserweight/ light heavy is?

Answer: Easy, look at his record at heavy weight.

[Mooshashi]

I see blood. Lots and lots of British blood.

[OctoberRed]

I see blood. Lots and lots of British blood.

^^^^^^^^

[QueensburyRules]

The Holyfield who stopped Deleon vs prime time Hnery Cooper? Who wins this?

- -If you have to ask, you don't deserve to know.

[uncle ben]

Interesting clash of styles, but I back Holyfield in this fight.

Cooper had a good left hook.

[Rusty Tromboni]

Holly was very very good.

Question: How does a boxing expert decide who the best cruiserweight/ light heavy is?

Answer: Easy, look at his record at heavy weight.

I'd argue that is unfair. That's like saying Hearns was a better Welterweight than everyone not named Robinson, simply because he fought all the way up to Cruiserweight.

I mean, would you consider him a better Welterweight than Leonard?

Holyfield out-grew cruiserweight. He also fought in an era absent of drug testing. He was Boxing's Larry Bonds. I wouldn't pick him to beat Tunney, Dempsey, Charles or Marciano. But I wouldn't pick them to have the heavyweight success Holyfield had - not against every opponent he beat/took to the final bell.