I am talking about the Holyfield that fought Qawi vs the Toney that fought Jirov. I have thought about this matchup for a while. It would be a great fight imo that Toney wins. Toney likes his opponents going forward. Holyfield would give Toney hell though. He is much better than Jirov.
Man alive, Holyfield was something else at Cruiser. For such an inexperienced fighter, he really proved his mettle like few could do. Don't get me wrong --- when one fighter is clearly the best historically in a division, there tends to be a great bent toward over-rating them, & I'm aware Holyfield is at danger of this, given the lack of depth in Cruiser history, & the fact he is clearly the best man on-paper. I take that into account. With that said, he would bring forth a firestorm to someone like Toney, who, to be fair, would be no easy victim on his best night at this weight. Toney was a counter-puncher born --- he had such a gift for it, his timing, his rhythm, & precision...Holyfield would take the fight to him & Toney would have no qualms working off Holyfield's holes, of which there were always plenty defensively. A big experience advantage to the Cruiser Toney, too...Holyfield proved in spades his greenhorn status was no obstacle to his beating veteran & class rivals, but Toney would benefit very nicely from having been there, done that. I see this as fairly close. Toney's success will lie in picking holes along the fringes of Holyfield's vulnerable defense, utilising short, snappy shots to disrupt Holyfield's whirlwind of activity. Holyfield would fight the way he always did in those days --- all-out, & to the bitter death. His success would stem from the ability to force Toney into exchanges more frequently than he desired (I believe he could do it), using that terrific handspeed, & under-rated jab & combination elements to his game. Give me Holyfield by decision, 8-6-1, with a grandstand finish, as both men lay it all on the line in the last stanza of a pretty close, & at times enthralling, contest.
Very good post. I can see the fight going both ways. The fight would end as a decision. Toney is a master boxer. One of the most skilled counterpunchers in history. If someone can beat Holyfield at cruiserweight, it would be Toney.
