Evander Holyfield vs Muhammad Ali

[Super_Lightweight]

Everytime I see Holyfield in his prime vs Bowe, and even past his prime vs Tyson, I can't help but think Holyfield definitely could beat Ali. Evander fights a lot like Frazier, except he throws better combos. Anyone have some thoughts on this dream match up?

[SacTown1]

I think Evander, along with 3 or 4 other fighters of this generation, would be able to beat Ali. Evander would have the best chance with his combos & counter-punching, but I'd say that Lennox could've competed with Ali, as well as possibly a prime Tyson.....Ali was by no means the greatest heavyweight ever, he was simply the best heavyweight during the best GENERATION of heavyweight fighters

[Super_Lightweight]

hmm

You must think Ali is somewhat overrated. I think Lewis would be competitive, very much so, but that he would probably get stopped late or outboxed being that Ali is not that much shorter than Lewis and had good reach and great speed himself.

I also think prime Tyson could beat Ali, so I agree with ya there.

I think Ali is slightly overrated though. He let Foreman gas himself out after taking a beating from him to win. If that's what makes you great than Brewster should be on the all-time lists.

Ali was a great fighter but not unbeatable. Controversial wins over Liston, Norton, and Jones and a loss to Frazier definitely don't make you perfect.

[SacTown1]

kinda, I think Ali's in-ring accomplishments are just a tad over-rated, but he's definitely the G.O.A.T. in terms of what he brought to the sport with his showmanship, rappin' skills, political savvy, etc.....boxing was the #2 sport in the U.S. (behind baseball) when Ali reigned supreme...athletically, I'd rate Ali in the top 5 of all time, but not #1 or #2, Joe Louis is still numero uno

[Bozo_no no]

You must think Ali is somewhat overrated. I think Lewis would be competitive, very much so, but that he would probably get stopped late or outboxed being that Ali is not that much shorter than Lewis and had good reach and great speed himself.

I also think prime Tyson could beat Ali, so I agree with ya there.

I think Ali is slightly overrated though. He let Foreman gas himself out after taking a beating from him to win. If that's what makes you great than Brewster should be on the all-time lists.

Ali was a great fighter but not unbeatable. Controversial wins over Liston, Norton, and Jones and a loss to Frazier definitely don't make you perfect.

Keep in mind Ali was past his best in fights with Frazier, Norton, and Foreman.

He was a much better fighter in 1967 when he could move non stop for 15 round.

Against the Ali from the Williams fight, I say he still outboxes Evander, although Holychamp would be competitive.

[Bozo_no no]

Ali was a great fighter but not unbeatable. Controversial wins over Liston,

The only thing contraversial about the 2nd Liston fight (Ali beat him clearly on the 1st try when Sonny gave up) was why Lsiton didn't get up. That's not Ali's fault, and doesn't take away from BOTH wins over Liston.

[cvt]

Keep in mind Ali was past his best in fights with Frazier, Norton, and Foreman.

He was a much better fighter in 1967 when he could move non stop for 15 round.

Against the Ali from the Williams fight, I say he still outboxes Evander, although Holychamp would be competitive.

I agree. Holy had a great chin but his power was nowhere close to fraziers. pre-2-year-layoff ali would have schooled him...however by the time ali came back the second time around he was no longer the same and was unfortunately a half step slower...i could see Holyfield outworking that Ali in a close fight.

[kapersky]

ali when he came back was much slower and predictable. frazier landed every left hook on ali if it wasent his chin he would got ko. when ali fought foreman he wasent better but smarter and foreman dumb enough to punch him out i dont think holyfield,lewis or tyson would do that. ali did beat the best but i still think holyfield,lewis and tyson could beat ali after jail, ali before jail was indeed invisible.

[hollister]

Which Ali are we discussing? Against Cleveland Williams? Or against Foreman and Frazier? Because the first Ali would have schooled almost anyone. That Ali would have beaten Lewis senseless and talked to him at the same time until Lewis collapsed (chin wasn't that great). But Foreman could have beaten the other one, had he not believed his own hype and run himself out of gas. I think Holy loses to the first one by decision, but could have beaten the second one convincingly. My 2 cents.

[Warden11]

Because of the styles (which make fights) I would say Holyfield wins.

I hate when people start saying "well he beat him, and he beat this guy, so that means that he would win" becuase its all about how their particular styles will contrast with one another.