Holyfield's Latest Comeback and Competition

[Smokin'Joe]

Ever since Holy began this last saga for the heavyweight crown I've heard the same things all over again.
First it was: "he should retire what's he doing back in the ring, he's gunna get hurt"
Then after he beat Bates it was: "That guy was an insurance salesman, he couldn't handle any legitimate contender"
After beating Oquendo it was things along the line of: "He allready had a great legacy, he just going to ruin it"
Now with an good win over Maddalone and an extremely impressive win over Savarese last Saturday, I'm hearing now that: "Oh, all his opponents are handpicked"

This really gets to me. First off, Evander Holyfield is Evander Holyfield and nothing we say or how much we bitch on our little boxing forums or blogs isn't going to change the course of what he does. It also seems to be the more he wins, and the more impressive he looks with each, there seems to be more and more nay sayers. Is it denial? I don't know, but I disagree that he is just trying to ''add to his legacy'' as some say. Boxing is in the blood man and it's hard to get out. I guess it never crossed these nay sayers mind that maybe, Evander enjoys what he is doing. Make no mistake it'd be an entirely different story, if he would be struggling against guys like Maddalone or Bates, but the catch is he's not. He's winning and winning impressivly.

Sure the quality might not be the best in the world, but George Foreman wasn't exactly fighting top notcher's in the 3 and 4 fights of his comeback either. If anything, Holyfields win, albeit a boring one, over Oquendo should prove he's still got it.

Let's face it, Oquendo was flat out robbed against Byrd and did very well against Ruiz and Tua. He's a very ligitimate contender and I don't care what anybody says, he can fight and make you look bad while you're fighting him.

The bouts against Maddalone and Savarese also showed that Holyfields still got decent timeing, great punching power, combinations, and can take it while he's dishing it out.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm not saying I'd like to see him thrown in there with the likes of Peter or Wlad, but a Maskaev fight would be interesting if it can happen. I'd say he had enough to outbox him to.

[KillerInstinct]

Ever since Holy began this last saga for the heavyweight crown I've heard the same things all over again.
First it was: "he should retire what's he doing back in the ring, he's gunna get hurt"
Then after he beat Bates it was: "That guy was an insurance salesman, he couldn't handle any legitimate contender"
After beating Oquendo it was things along the line of: "He allready had a great legacy, he just going to ruin it"
Now with an good win over Maddalone and an extremely impressive win over Savarese last Saturday, I'm hearing now that: "Oh, all his opponents are handpicked"

This really gets to me. First off, Evander Holyfield is Evander Holyfield and nothing we say or how much we bitch on our little boxing forums or blogs isn't going to change the course of what he does. It also seems to be the more he wins, and the more impressive he looks with each, there seems to be more and more nay sayers. Is it denial? I don't know, but I disagree that he is just trying to ''add to his legacy'' as some say. Boxing is in the blood man and it's hard to get out. I guess it never crossed these nay sayers mind that maybe, Evander enjoys what he is doing. Make no mistake it'd be an entirely different story, if he would be struggling against guys like Maddalone or Bates, but the catch is he's not. He's winning and winning impressivly.

Sure the quality might not be the best in the world, but George Foreman wasn't exactly fighting top notcher's in the 3 and 4 fights of his comeback either. If anything, Holyfields win, albeit a boring one, over Oquendo should prove he's still got it.

Let's face it, Oquendo was flat out robbed against Byrd and did very well against Ruiz and Tua. He's a very ligitimate contender and I don't care what anybody says, he can fight and make you look bad while you're fighting him.

The bouts against Maddalone and Savarese also showed that Holyfields still got decent timeing, great punching power, combinations, and can take it while he's dishing it out.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm not saying I'd like to see him thrown in there with the likes of Peter or Wlad, but a Maskaev fight would be interesting if it can happen. I'd say he had enough to outbox him to.

Bro, it's easy to look good against club fighters, and that's what Maddalone and Savarese are..club fighters. Maddalone is a glorified clubfighter because of his ESPN fights with Minto and Shannon Miller. Might I add that Minto completely beat up Maddalone and well..he's friggin Brian Minto. Savarese not only has a padded record for the most part, but most of his significant wins are against former champions who were wayyyyy past their prime. The only good win Evander has gotten has been Oquendo, I haven't seen the fight so I really don't know what to say. It's on youtube and from what I heard, it was a close boring decision win for Evander..not really interested in watching it.

Evander can NOT fight any slicksters, he needs to keep fighting opponents who stay infront of him for the most part and he will get a title shot. I admire Evander for always being in amazing shape, especially during his comeback..but hell, he weighed 215 against Larry Donald a couple of years ago and still was easily outboxed. I hope the guy gets a title shot, but the only way he will is if he does fight handpicked opponents, whether ya like it or not.

[Heavyrighthand]

Ever since Holy began this last saga for the heavyweight crown I've heard the same things all over again.
.

Great post, Smokin Joe. I fully agree with everything you said. :good

Well done.

Let the naysayers say what they will, cause regardless, Evander will let it do what it do, baby.

[ibragimovfan]

Maskaev Would Knock Holyfield The Fuck Out

[Smokin'Joe]

Bro, it's easy to look good against club fighters, and that's what Maddalone and Savarese are..club fighters. Maddalone is a glorified clubfighter because of his ESPN fights with Minto and Shannon Miller. Might I add that Minto completely beat up Maddalone and well..he's friggin Brian Minto. Savarese not only has a padded record for the most part, but most of his significant wins are against former champions who were wayyyyy past their prime. The only good win Evander has gotten has been Oquendo, I haven't seen the fight so I really don't know what to say. It's on youtube and from what I heard, it was a close boring decision win for Evander..not really interested in watching it.

Evander can NOT fight any slicksters, he needs to keep fighting opponents who stay infront of him for the most part and he will get a title shot. I admire Evander for always being in amazing shape, especially during his comeback..but hell, he weighed 215 against Larry Donald a couple of years ago and still was easily outboxed. I hope the guy gets a title shot, but the only way he will is if he does fight handpicked opponents, whether ya like it or not.

Dude did you not read my post? all the counters to you're argument are there I just don't feel like retyping it lol. B

[hitman_hatton1]

in the big scheme of things these holyfield wins mean fuck all.

except for the sanctioning bodies smelling the money that holyfield would bring. :roll:

oquendo lost to ruiz.

ruiz is now completely out of the picture.

the russians are on top now.

holyfield got his ears boxed off by larry donald.

povetkin put him in his place.

[EpsilonAxis]

IMO Holyfield's three losses were highly due to terrible matchmaking...Byrd, Toney, Donald are all extremely defensive fighters that are TERRIBLE for an old guy like Holyfield.

[Cruiser1]

Maskaev Would Knock Holyfield The Fuck Out

Are u kidding? C'mon man.

[hitman_hatton1]

IMO Holyfield's three losses were highly due to terrible matchmaking...Byrd, Toney, Donald are all extremely defensive fighters that are TERRIBLE for an old guy like Holyfield.

more so with byrd and donald.

he should have done better against toney.

admittedly toney turned up in shape and on form for that one though. :bbb

[Darthmage]

admittedly toney turned up in shape and on form for that one though. :bbb

juice..... when you know.. you just know.

[Brickhaus]

IMO Holyfield's three losses were highly due to terrible matchmaking...Byrd, Toney, Donald are all extremely defensive fighters that are TERRIBLE for an old guy like Holyfield.

Against Donald, it was more that he looked absolutely shot than anything. He really looked like he had nothing left in the tank there. It's nice to see that he's rededicated himself, but (a) I can't possibly imagine that he could be doing this without the help of HGH, which isn't tested for in the states where Holyfield has been competing, and (b) he hasn't even faced anyone as good as Donald since that loss. He does look better each time out, but not better enough to make him look like more than a fringe contender. I have no doubt that he'll get a title shot because he has a big name, but I don't think he could even beat Ibragamov, who is an extraordinarily weak paper champion.

[papaspank]

Maskaev would be the easiest route to a title belt for Holyfield, that if he gets past Peter (pretty big if). Some here have a short memory about Maskaev second fight against that bum Rahman, who was winning the fight quite easily until Maskaev KO'd him in the last round. Holyfield doesn't have a "Rahman" chin, unfortunelty for Maskaev. I see it being a very competitive fight with Holyfield dropping Maskaev and stopping him mid to late rounds. Don't forget Maskaev doesn't have the best chin in the world. Also, remind me of all the great fighters Maskaev has beat?? Oh, Rahman?? (very funny)

If the current champs can live with a 1 or 2 million dollar pay day fight nobodys, then keep dodging Holyfield. If they want a 5 to 10 million dollar pay day or more, then sign the contract to fight Holyfield. Name one fighter out their that one of the current champions could sign a fight against and make more money than fighting Holyfield?

[cuzzinelias]

I give Oldyfield a chance against the Sultan-Chagev winner & Maskev, but he should stay far far away from Peter, Klitscho or any other big puncher

[Guru_Too_You]

Maskaev would be the easiest route to a title belt for Holyfield, that if he gets past Peter (pretty big if). Some here have a short memory about Maskaev second fight against that bum Rahman, who was winning the fight quite easily until Maskaev KO'd him in the last round. Holyfield doesn't have a "Rahman" chin, unfortunelty for Maskaev. I see it being a very competitive fight with Holyfield dropping Maskaev and stopping him mid to late rounds. Don't forget Maskaev doesn't have the best chin in the world. Also, remind me of all the great fighters Maskaev has beat?? Oh, Rahman?? (very funny)

If the current champs can live with a 1 or 2 million dollar pay day fight nobodys, then keep dodging Holyfield. If they want a 5 to 10 million dollar pay day or more, then sign the contract to fight Holyfield. Name one fighter out their that one of the current champions could sign a fight against and make more money than fighting Holyfield?

How Maskaev gets rated so highly is beyond my comprehension. Rahman beat him around the ring for 11 rounds until Maskaev caught him. Holyfield would still easily outwork and bully Maskaev around the ring.

Chagaev and Ibragimov would be hotly contested battles.

Peter and Wlad would most likely dominate Holyfield however. Although I give Holy a slight chance to outbox Peter, although he stands little to no chance against Wladimir.

[papaspank]

I think he'd give Wladimir a little more trouble than most people think. I'm looking forward to see how he looks against Brewster. I'm not completely sold on WK. Holyfield will test his will, heart and chin. We know Holyfield has all three, let's see if Wlad does.

[ibragimovfan]

no im not kidding maskaev isn't a washed up bum like maddalone or savarese. this motherfucker has skills, a strong punch, a chin, and heart. he knocked out hasim rahman twice for fuck sake. holyfield would get dismantled and destroyed against maskaev.

[Guru_Too_You]

no im not kidding maskaev isn't a washed up bum like maddalone or savarese. this motherfucker has skills, a strong punch, a chin, and heart. he knocked out hasim rahman twice for fuck sake. holyfield would get dismantled and destroyed against maskaev.

Delusional.

[DamonD]

You beat the Holyfield of today by trying to do the same things that worked against the Holyfield of yesterday - work the jab, move, and keep off the ropes.

If you go toe-to-toe with Grampa Holy, you're playing his game.

[Sonny's jab]

Holyfield's probably just as good now as he was when he fought Ruiz and Rahman.
Not good enough to dominate the division or beat the best, but good enough to beat some of the top 10 and pick up a belt.

People whp criticisze his opposition should have a look at who the other "challengers" have been fighting.

[papaspank]

no im not kidding maskaev isn't a washed up bum like maddalone or savarese. this motherfucker has skills, a strong punch, a chin, and heart. he knocked out hasim rahman twice for fuck sake. holyfield would get dismantled and destroyed against maskaev.

Maskaev got his ass beat by Rahman for like 20 rounds until he knocked that punk ass out. Maskaev doesn't stand a chance against Holyfield, in fact he'll get his punk ass twisted against Holyfield! Maskaev is a scared punk ass bitch, who wouldn't dare get his ass in the ring with Holyfield! He hasn't even signed the contract against Peter yet. Scared little bitch!

[lefthook31]

Holyfield is fighting exactly the way a guy should when he comes back. He is staying very active, and has upped his competition little by little, and because of that, hes shown me he can fight at the proper pace to compete over 10-12 rounds. Although Saverese is pretty slow, he represents a big strong guy, that Holyfield was able to man handle. None of the current champions, have shown they can fight the type of fight he brings, so its going to be very interesting to see how they match up against him, and thats including Wladmir Klitscko. If Holyfield can get inside and rough him up, Wlad will fall apart, or be forced to fight a fight we havent seen him capable of being successful with yet. I love that fight the most, and I have a feeling Manny Steward does to, so they might look to make the fight. I read an interview today, where he said he was considering Holy as his next opponent, so I hope it happens.

[psychopath]

IMO Holyfield's three losses were highly due to terrible matchmaking...Byrd, Toney, Donald are all extremely defensive fighters that are TERRIBLE for an old guy like Holyfield.

Well let's not find an excuse. If Holy wants to be back among the "top of the creme" he must be able to beat all sorts of fighters.

Bottom line is he cannot handpick his opponents who's styles are in his advantage.

[El Bombasto]

Let's not forget, that Holyfield is the only KNOCKOUT that FAT James Toney has at heavyweight. Even Rydell Booker went the distance with that butterball. Yeah, go ahead and put him in a title fight.

[Heavyrighthand]

I only hope that Holy rematches Toney at some point in his comeback.

If Holy were to rematch and beat Toney, after the dismal first fight, it'd be great.

[Slaughter27]

The problem people have with Holyfield still fighting is the fact that he's gonna end up like Ali one day if he keeps it up. The guy is already in bad shape, if you heard one of his interviews you know what I'm talking about. Yeh he might be able to compete with some of the guys in the top 10, but people should be more concerned about his health because I think it's gonna be a sad ending for him, and that's unfortunate.

[BoxingGuru]

This is the problem with boxing. Freaks like Holyfield who suck hand picking people they can beat then magically getting title shots.

Go ahead, put him in there with Wlad. I wanna see him get fucking decapitated so he retires for GOOD.

[Big D]

Ever since Holy began this last saga for the heavyweight crown I've heard the same things all over again.
First it was: "he should retire what's he doing back in the ring, he's gunna get hurt"
Then after he beat Bates it was: "That guy was an insurance salesman, he couldn't handle any legitimate contender"
After beating Oquendo it was things along the line of: "He allready had a great legacy, he just going to ruin it"
Now with an good win over Maddalone and an extremely impressive win over Savarese last Saturday, I'm hearing now that: "Oh, all his opponents are handpicked"

This really gets to me. First off, Evander Holyfield is Evander Holyfield and nothing we say or how much we bitch on our little boxing forums or blogs isn't going to change the course of what he does. It also seems to be the more he wins, and the more impressive he looks with each, there seems to be more and more nay sayers. Is it denial? I don't know, but I disagree that he is just trying to ''add to his legacy'' as some say. Boxing is in the blood man and it's hard to get out. I guess it never crossed these nay sayers mind that maybe, Evander enjoys what he is doing. Make no mistake it'd be an entirely different story, if he would be struggling against guys like Maddalone or Bates, but the catch is he's not. He's winning and winning impressivly.

Sure the quality might not be the best in the world, but George Foreman wasn't exactly fighting top notcher's in the 3 and 4 fights of his comeback either. If anything, Holyfields win, albeit a boring one, over Oquendo should prove he's still got it.

Let's face it, Oquendo was flat out robbed against Byrd and did very well against Ruiz and Tua. He's a very ligitimate contender and I don't care what anybody says, he can fight and make you look bad while you're fighting him.

The bouts against Maddalone and Savarese also showed that Holyfields still got decent timeing, great punching power, combinations, and can take it while he's dishing it out.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm not saying I'd like to see him thrown in there with the likes of Peter or Wlad, but a Maskaev fight would be interesting if it can happen. I'd say he had enough to outbox him to.


even at 44 years old I think Evander would give Wlad Klitchko all he wanted . Trust me. Evander would take wlad places he's never been before. How Wlad handles it, who knows ?

[Bazooka]

I agree 100% with the author of the thread, especially regarding Oquendo! I also think that Evander could give Wlad some trouble as well though I am not sure he could win it, but if it came down to heart and chin and conditioning Holyfield has three checks in that department while Wlad has conditioning alone.

[Vulgar Display Of Power]

It seems to me that Holyfield has lost some of his ability to take a punch.
He has got wobbled by punches that would have hardly caused him to blink years ago.

[Bubba]

Let's not forget, that Holyfield is the only KNOCKOUT that FAT James Toney has at heavyweight. Even Rydell Booker went the distance with that butterball. Yeah, go ahead and put him in a title fight.

Toney was probably on steroids for that fight too!! :hey