Evander Holyfield -vs- Ezzard Charles:

[Holmes' Jab]

Each in their respective primes. 15 rounds at LHW, who takes it?

[dmt]

Holyfield was not even in his prime at 175

[Holmes' Jab]

Holyfield was not even in his prime at 175

Ignore that. I was initially going to say at HW and forgot to take out that part. :good

[janitor]

I think Charles would outbox Holyfield to take a decision. Esentialy if you could not knock Charles out you were unlikley to win on the cards.

This is perhaps one fight I would try to steer him clear of if I managed him in the 50s.

[Luigi1985]

Charles was the better boxer, I would pick him to outbox Holyfield, I don´t think Evander had enough power to KO Ezzard...


Charles UD 12 Holyfield


(7-5)

[PowerPuncher]

This would a tough style match up for Holyfield who wouldn't be as skilled a boxer or defensively as Charles, although he isn't as far off as some would like to paint him. Holyfield would have advantages with his pressure, combination throwing combined with the large size advantage. Holyfield had a size advantage of 20-30lb of muscle, 2 inches in height and 5 inches in reach.

Charles would level peg Holyfield early until Holyfield breaks him down and weakens Charles down the stretch.

Holyfield UD 8-4 or 9-6 or maybe a late stoppage

[Holmes' Jab]

I actually went for Charles by a razor thin decision, but wouldn't rule out Holyfield winning by a late stoppage. Very intriguing matchup despite the similarities in style. :good

[janitor]

Holyfield would have advantages with his pressure, combination throwing combined with the large size advantage. Holyfield had a size advantage of 20-30lb of muscle, 2 inches in height and 5 inches in reach.


To be honest I would give him a better chance as a cruiserweight.

[Holmes' Jab]

To be honest I would give him a better chance as a cruiserweight.


Yep. That's right, I'd probably make him slight fave there.

[Zakman]

At heavyweight?? While Charles was a great LIGHT heavyweight, his record at HW is far more mixed, and he didn't take the greatest punch at that weight, either. Still, as others have said, he does have the advantage of superior boxing skills. This would be a competitive matchup until Holyfield catches Charles in the late rounds and knocks him out.

[Sonny's jab]

Holyfield would win. At his best he's not far from just a stronger, taller, bigger version of Ezzard Charles anyway.

Charles had exquisite boxing skills but he wasn't the ultra-cautious hit-and-run type that might be Holy's worst nightmare, he liked to mix it up a lot, and Holy would prove superior in a clash of similarly-inclined fighters.
Holyfield would simply overwhelm Charles, ultimately.

[Bonecrusher]

Holyfield would win. At his best he's not far from just a stronger, taller, bigger version of Ezzard Charles anyway.

Charles had exquisite boxing skills but he wasn't the ultra-cautious hit-and-run type that might be Holy's worst nightmare, he liked to mix it up a lot, and Holy would prove superior in a clash of similarly-inclined fighters.
Holyfield would simply overwhelm Charles, ultimately.

This is pretty close, I think Charles is a little slicker then Holyfield, but Holyfield is the bigger puncher and has the better chin imo. I would say that Holyfield wins by a late tko, if we go to the cards its a close fight, but I think Holyfield stops him..

[tommygun711]

Holyfield is the bigger and stronger man at heavyweight so I think his combinations and speed might pay off to a reallly close decision

[techks]

Ok I'm trying so hard to not be biased because I'm a big Charles fan. I'm picking Charles to win by decision in a tough fight. Maybe even by a tko @ light heavyweight they didn't call him the Cincinnati Cobra for nothing. Or maybe Holy stops him he had a great chin and loved, loved to trade shots and while Holy wasn't a 1-shot ko artist it didn't matter the guy could throw for days. I love fantasy fights so many possible and hard to imagine outcomes happening it's endless.

[Mendoza]

Holy via mid to late round TKO. Charles puts up a good effort.

[SuzieQ49]

Holy via mid to late round TKO. Charles puts up a good effort.

I cannot see this happening. The fight will definitely go the distance. You appear to devalue charles as a fighter much more than others. If Charles puts up a ''good effort" like you imply, then most likely he will outbox evander for a decision. Charles will not be getting knocked out. Charles has a good proven chin, and evander isn't exactly a knockout artist.

[Unforgiven]

Holyfield wins this.

[SuzieQ49]

Holyfield wins this.


I think holyfield's combination punching will bet nullified by charles superior skills, faster hands, and blazing accurate 1-2.

[Unforgiven]

I think holyfield's combination punching will bet nullified by charles superior skills, faster hands, and blazing accurate 1-2.

I think Holyfield's skills were comparable. In fact, he WAS compared to Charles early on.
Holyfield was fast, stronger, more powerful, and he could take a punch better, IMO.
I think people forget how good Holyfield was in his prime.

[Caelum]

I think holyfield's combination punching will bet nullified by charles superior skills, faster hands, and blazing accurate 1-2.


How did Marciano, not exactly known for his speed nor his combination punching, end up beating him...or was this down to Charles being past it?

[SuzieQ49]

How did Marciano, not exactly known for his speed nor his combination punching, end up beating him...or was this down to Charles being past it?

A. Marciano was better than holyfield. Much more powerful, higher workrate, a better all around puncher than holyfield.

B. Charles was past his prime

In fact if Charles-Marciano I shows us anything, it's that evander would never knockout Holyfield.

[SuzieQ49]

I think Holyfield's skills were comparable. In fact, he WAS compared to Charles early on.
Holyfield was fast, stronger, more powerful, and he could take a punch better, IMO.
I think people forget how good Holyfield was in his prime.

I don't forget... I know evander was great, but people truly don't realize how special Ezzard was in his prime. A top 5 p4p fighter of all time imo. Charles could do it all. Evander has nice skills, but I do not think they are on the level of Ezzard Charles. Charles will not brawl evander, he will box him. I can't see evander winning the boxing match here. Even if Evander brawls his way inside..charles had faster hands, terrific infighting skills and could put together some fast flurries himself to get out of harm's way.

[Bokaj]

I haven't seen extensive amounts of footage of Charles, but from what I've seen I'd have Holyfield as the slightly more complete, skilled fighter. Together with his superior strength, chin and power I believe this makes him the favourite.

[techks]

A. Marciano was better than holyfield. Much more powerful, stronger, higher workrate, a better all around puncher than holyfield.

B. Charles was past his prime

In fact if Charles-Marciano I shows us anything, it's that evander would never knockout Holyfield.

TBH he was past his prime even before facing Marciano. He was a beast pre-Baroudi. I'm not exactly sure what his first fight past his prime was but I'm pretty sure it was in '48 and that's before he even moved up to face Walcott & Louis.

[Caelum]

A. Marciano was better than holyfield. Much more powerful, higher workrate, a better all around puncher than holyfield.

B. Charles was past his prime

In fact if Charles-Marciano I shows us anything, it's that evander would never knockout Holyfield.

Disagree:

Holyfield was the better "boxer," specifically when he hooked up with George Benton.
Holyfield was the better "fighter" and proved it on a higher level.
Holyfield's chin was proven on the higher level, just like his HW career was.

Holyfield had the harder tests in his boxing career than Marciano.

Attributes:


Holyfield was Bigger/Stronger than Marciano. Faster than Marciano. Could put together better combinations than Marciano.

Work-rate: Yeah, Marciano can have it there but he still struggled with fighters who didn't have quite the work-rate as he had.

Holyfield beats Marciano.

All opinion of course.

[techks]

I don't forget... I know evander was great, but people truly don't realize how special Ezzard was in his prime. A top 5 p4p fighter of all time imo. Charles could do it all. Evander has nice skills, but I do not think they are on the level of Ezzard Charles. Charles will not brawl evander, he will box him. I can't see evander winning the boxing match here. Even if Evander brawls his way inside..charles had faster hands, terrific infighting skills and could put together some fast flurries himself to get out of harm's way.

I loved his second fight with Marshall that infighting was marvelous.

[Unforgiven]

Marciano was better than holyfield. Much more powerful, higher workrate, a better all around puncher than holyfield.

Better once punch power perhaps.
But Holyfield was consistently more accurate and put his punches together beautifully.
Holyfield, I'd say, was a better fighter all-round.

[SuzieQ49]

Better once punch power perhaps.

Better all around puncher. Better finisher, better knockout artist, better two fisted attack, Marciano may not put his punches together as beautifully as evander, but his punching attack that involves two fisted sledgehammers hitting you anywhere and everywhere from different types of angles is much more effective than holyfield's two fisted attack. Holyfield does not compare to Marciano as a puncher.

[SuzieQ49]

Holyfield was Bigger/Stronger than Marciano. Faster than Marciano. Could put together better combinations than Marciano.

Bigger Yes. Strong No. He may have put together better combination, but marciano was the much harder puncher, and overall much better puncher.


Evander had a bad habit..he loved to brawl at all times. This will be his downfall against marciano...holyfield is not going to win going toe to toe with the Rock.


Marciano by mid to Late TKO

Anyway, Marciano's not on trial here. Ezzard is.

[Caelum]

Bigger Yes. Strong No. He may have put together better combination, but marciano was the much harder puncher, and overall much better puncher.


Evander had a bad habit..he loved to brawl at all times. This will be his downfall against marciano...holyfield is not going to win going toe to toe with the Rock.


Marciano by mid to Late TKO

Anyway, Marciano's not on trial here. Ezzard is.


What makes you think Rocky was stronger?

Him fighting Light-Heavyweights?

Look who Holyfield had to go through. Super-Heavyweights. Holyfield was tested at a much higher level, agree or disagree?


Actually, Tyson said D'Amato told him the way to beat Rocky is to go at him.

[Unforgiven]

Better all around puncher. Better finisher, better knockout artist, better two fisted attack, Marciano may not put his punches together as beautifully as evander, but his punching attack that involves two fisted sledgehammers hitting you anywhere and everywhere from different types of angles is much more effective than holyfield's two fisted attack. Holyfield does not compare to Marciano as a puncher.


I dont think Marciano's attack was "much more effective than Holyfield's" at all.
Holyfield beat up a lot of very good fighters, stopped many of them, thereby proving his offensive effectiveness.

Both were vicious animals on offense in their primes.

[brownshell]

At LHW Charles by UD. At HW Holyfield by UD.

[yaca you]

Ezzard Charles wins by decision.

This would look similar to Louis vs Charles. a lot of inside fighting with charles speed being the deciding factor. If it stayed more at range charles would be able to use that speed advantage to land cleaner and more often, when holyfield brawls "The Cincinnati Cobra" would make evanader pay. Holyfield is not a big puncher, so I cant see him knocking out Charles. the only advantage I see for holyfield is size, it goes the full 15 (it is a 15 rounder right?)charles may have some trouble with holeyfield being stronger, but perseveres by fighting smarter.

Ezzard charles wins this by a clear UD.

[Minotauro]

I would take Charles via decision. He is the better in fighter, quicker and would dictate what type of fight it is.

[SuzieQ49]

I dont think Marciano's attack was "much more effective than Holyfield's" at all.
Holyfield beat up a lot of very good fighters, stopped many of them, thereby proving his offensive effectiveness.

Both were vicious animals on offense in their primes.

Let's compare Marciano and Holyfield as punchers

A. Marciano knocked out every single ranked opponent he ever faced.

B. Marciano is 6-0 with 5 knockouts against Hall Of Famers

C. Marciano has an 88% knockout percentage

What does holyfield have or what did he accomplish to come close to these amazing statistics?


Holyfield beat up a lot of very good fighters, stopped many of them, thereby proving his offensive effectiveness.

There is no doubt Holyfield was an ATG fighter, with an ATG resume. However, he never proved himself a "Great" puncher in my eyes.


Both were vicious animals on offense in their primes


I disagree on Holyfield. I think he was a good puncher, but not a great one. I do think holyfield was an all around complete fighter and one of the best warriors of all time..but he was not an all time great puncher like Marciano was.

[he grant]

Let's compare Marciano and Holyfield as punchers

A. Marciano knocked out every single ranked opponent he ever faced.

B. Marciano is 6-0 with 5 knockouts against Hall Of Famers

C. Marciano has an 88% knockout percentage

What does holyfield have or what did he accomplish to come close to these amazing statistics?



There is no doubt Holyfield was an ATG fighter, with an ATG resume. However, he never proved himself a "Great" puncher in my eyes.




I disagree on Holyfield. I think he was a good puncher, but not a great one. I do think holyfield was an all around complete fighter and one of the best warriors of all time..but he was not an all time great puncher like Marciano was.

Holyfield fought such superior competition there is no accurate way to gage them. Holyfield's one punch KO of Douglas was every bit as impressive as Marciano's over Walcott ...

[BUDW]

Charles better boxer better ring general he boxes his way to a ud.

[SuzieQ49]

Holyfield's one punch KO of Douglas was every bit as impressive as Marciano's over Walcott ...

:lol::lol::lol::patsch:patsch:patsch The most ludicrous comment ever posted.

Do you realize fat whale Douglas could have beaten the count, but chose to stay down? You think Walcott could have made a count of 100? :lol:

I can't believe your comparing the Douglas kayo to possibly the greatest one punch knockout of all time. :patsch


Holyfield fought such superior competition there is no accurate way to gage them.

Holyfield also fought superior competition to Joe Louis, Sonny Liston, George Foreman, Jack Dempsey. Does this mean their is no accurate way to gage Holyfield as a puncher with the above men?


Marciano was an all time great puncher. Possibly a top 5 p4p puncher of all time. Holyfield doesn't even come close.

[Unforgiven]

Let's compare Marciano and Holyfield as punchers

A. Marciano knocked out every single ranked opponent he ever faced.

B. Marciano is 6-0 with 5 knockouts against Hall Of Famers

C. Marciano has an 88% knockout percentage

What does holyfield have or what did he accomplish to come close to these amazing statistics?



There is no doubt Holyfield was an ATG fighter, with an ATG resume. However, he never proved himself a "Great" puncher in my eyes.




I disagree on Holyfield. I think he was a good puncher, but not a great one. I do think holyfield was an all around complete fighter and one of the best warriors of all time..but he was not an all time great puncher like Marciano was.


Well, we were talking about "effectiveness of attack" not who's the bigger puncher.

[he grant]

Well, we were talking about "effectiveness of attack" not who's the bigger puncher.


I know this reeks of blasphemy but who had the best chin of any man Rocky KO'ed ? WE know that Charles was flattened before multiple times as was Walcott and Moore ...I guess 37 year old Louis ...

[Unforgiven]

I know this reeks of blasphemy but who had the best chin of any man Rocky KO'ed ? WE know that Charles was flattened before multiple times as was Walcott and Moore ...I guess 37 year old Louis ...

I think Charles had only been stopped twice, but he'd spent much of his career fighting middles and light-heavyweights.
Him and Walcott I'd put in the same category. Decent chins.

Joe Louis probably had the best of the men Rocky beat, yes. Though Rocky actually said otherwise, he said "Louis could no longer take a punch ANYWHERE on the head" .... so I guess it's Walcott or Charles.

[SuzieQ49]

The best chin has to go to Rex Layne..

Watch him take these monsterous shots off of Bob Satterfield


[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[Unforgiven]

Maybe Layne then.
He did take those hard shots from Satterfield, but he also went down and was knocked staggering badly a few times too. Then again, maybe Satterfield would have done that to anyone had he landed.

[The Mongoose]

I think Charles had only been stopped twice, but he'd spent much of his career fighting middles and light-heavyweights.
Him and Walcott I'd put in the same category. Decent chins.


Charles beat many top heavyweight contenders during his light heavyweight prime..guys like Ray, Bivins, Maxim, and Matisi.

[Minotauro]

I think Charles had only been stopped twice, but he'd spent much of his career fighting middles and light-heavyweights.
Him and Walcott I'd put in the same category. Decent chins.

.

Holy has the better chin but Charles has great recovery and was extremely durable and difficult to stop. I don't see Holyfield stopping Charles and very slim chance of Evander winning over the distance.

[Bonecrusher]

The best chin has to go to Rex Layne..

Watch him take these monsterous shots off of Bob Satterfield


[Only registered and activated users can see links]


I love watching Satterfield even when he loses, Nice KO punch from Layne had not seen this one in a while thanks SuzieQ49!!

[choklab]

people only woke up to holyfeild the heavyweight when he beat tyson. charles beat so many tough heavyweights and was much more efficient. holyfeild ran out of ideas against albeit cagey stagers like holmes and toney where as charles mastered moore bvins and maxims sly tricks, yes they were lightheavys but CHARLES knocked out baksi and elmer ray who apart from a majoraty loss to walcott and a previously split and unpopular win over charles was on a 50 odd KO win streak. charles's filmed knockouts of satterfeild, coley walace, layne were more conclusive than holyfeild against cooper, moorer and douglas who are posibly a simular level taking into acount the quality around during charles;s heavyweight era.
another thing whats all this crap about evander being bigger, stronger and taller than charles? without the weight programes and "protien shakes" their natural size differential is neglegable. evander had those weird moments where he just ran out of gass so the "protien shake" and weights was a double edged sord for him anyway..it canceled itself out. toney, cyz and moorer were light heavys or smaller originaly. bowe was overweight when he beat him, tyson past it, foreman and holmes even more past it.

charles lost to beter champions. pair the champs both charles and holyfeild lost to. moorer v walcott? ruiz v marciano? hmmm..

[Hookie]

Holyfiled won Bronze as a LHW/178 Lber in the '84 Olympics. He turned pro as a LHW but was always at least a Lb over the LHW/175 Lb limit.

Pro Debut- 177 1/2
2nd Fight- 178 1/2
3rd Fight- 177 1/4
4th Fight- 176

5th Fight- 180... he was never under 182 1/2 after this

I never really considered him a LHW once he turned pro, CW IMO.

[Unforgiven]

people only woke up to holyfeild the heavyweight when he beat tyson. charles beat so many tough heavyweights and was much more efficient. holyfeild ran out of ideas against albeit cagey stagers like holmes and toney where as charles mastered moore bvins and maxims sly tricks, yes they were lightheavys but CHARLES knocked out baksi and elmer ray who apart from a majoraty loss to walcott and a previously split and unpopular win over charles was on a 50 odd KO win streak. charles's filmed knockouts of satterfeild, coley walace, layne were more conclusive than holyfeild against cooper, moorer and douglas who are posibly a simular level taking into acount the quality around during charles;s heavyweight era.
another thing whats all this crap about evander being bigger, stronger and taller than charles? without the weight programes and "protien shakes" their natural size differential is neglegable. evander had those weird moments where he just ran out of gass so the "protien shake" and weights was a double edged sord for him anyway..it canceled itself out. toney, cyz and moorer were light heavys or smaller originaly. bowe was overweight when he beat him, tyson past it, foreman and holmes even more past it.

charles lost to beter champions. pair the champs both charles and holyfeild lost to. moorer v walcott? ruiz v marciano? hmmm..

This is not a good post at all ^

[choklab]

This is not a good post at all ^


charles was as real a heavyweight as holyfeild from 1948-54. they are a good match. IMO charles has the edge since he knocked out beter heavyweights than given credit for. evander was exciting, game and excelent value but charles had more class.

[he grant]

people only woke up to holyfeild the heavyweight when he beat tyson. charles beat so many tough heavyweights and was much more efficient. holyfeild ran out of ideas against albeit cagey stagers like holmes and toney where as charles mastered moore bvins and maxims sly tricks, yes they were lightheavys but CHARLES knocked out baksi and elmer ray who apart from a majoraty loss to walcott and a previously split and unpopular win over charles was on a 50 odd KO win streak. charles's filmed knockouts of satterfeild, coley walace, layne were more conclusive than holyfeild against cooper, moorer and douglas who are posibly a simular level taking into acount the quality around during charles;s heavyweight era.
another thing whats all this crap about evander being bigger, stronger and taller than charles? without the weight programes and "protien shakes" their natural size differential is neglegable. evander had those weird moments where he just ran out of gass so the "protien shake" and weights was a double edged sord for him anyway..it canceled itself out. toney, cyz and moorer were light heavys or smaller originaly. bowe was overweight when he beat him, tyson past it, foreman and holmes even more past it.

charles lost to beter champions. pair the champs both charles and holyfeild lost to. moorer v walcott? ruiz v marciano? hmmm..


How about Tyson or prime bowe or Lewis against Marciano or Walcott?

[choklab]

How about Tyson or prime bowe or Lewis against Marciano or Walcott?


they are harder fights for walcott and marciano but ruiz and moorer would be fair tests for Lewis and Bowe. why should bowe and lewis beat marciano and walcott?

[Hank]

Charles was better, he'd give Holyfield beating, but not ko him.

[choklab]

Charles was better, he'd give Holyfield beating, but not ko him. :good