Who would win between 38 year old Muhammad Ali vs 38 yr old Evander Holyfield?

Answer 1

There is a big difference in opposition between Loosing badly to Larry Holmes and Loosing badly to John Ruiz. Your question targets the decline of two of boxing's greats, but Ali lost (albeit badly) to another great in Holmes. The argument can be made that James Toney and Chris Byrd both were superior to Ruiz, but Holyfield was 40 by then so it becomes a comparison between Larry Holmes and John Ruiz. There isn't one, Holmes was superior to Ruiz in all categories.

Parkinson's is the wild card, how much of a role did the disease play in Ali's decline? A very interesting Question who's answer is clouded because there is no way to know what aspect of the performance deterioration was caused by Parkinsons and what was caused by being 38 and the veteran of many classic ring wars. Parkinsons is a physical ailment, pugilistic dementia is a mental illness caused by physical trauma.

I have met Ali during the mid stages of his Parkinsons problem and can assure you mentally Ali is fine, he does not suffer from any mental illness, pugilistic or other wise. I ran into Holyfield at Tommy Hearns's last fight and Evander appears mentally healthy as well, although some critics viciously question his decision to continue boxing at such a late stage in his career and point to the classic old boxer's speech patterens as evidence that Evander should retire.

I personally can rule out physical damage, as difficult as it seems, considering the wars both fought in their careers, but some scholars will have as difficult a time as most laymen in doing the same. As I said, it is my personal opinon, not meant to be taken officially as anything other than my opinion based on my own observation. Most people who have met both men do not evaluate their conditions, they are usally awe struck fans, not neurologists, and I am not doctor either. I do not claim any particular medical experience, but I can assure you, there was no medical reason for the boxing commission to deny Holyfield a boxing liciense, if there had been one, Evander would have been denied the right to fight.

Ric we have to push time frame to include Berbick and the fact that Holyfield, after dropping the Toney & Byrd fights, kept going with three more minor victorys to really make the conclusion that it was early statge Parkinson's not Holmes or Berbick, and therefore would have been early stage Parkinson's not Holyfield who would have beat a 38 year old Ali.

A very painful and emotional question, the blogbaba doesn't like thinking about such things, but there it is. A parkinson's free Holyfield, would have been been enough to beat Ali with the early stages of the disease at age 38. One can only speculate what a 38 year old Ali free of early stage Parkinsons would have been like.

I have nothing but admiriation and the deepest respect for both Ali and Holyfield, they are two of my life's most cherished role models, as a child I met Ali in his prime, and it was a crossroads of sorts for me. On June 9th, 1996, the first Holyfield/Tyson fight was an event I could spend another couple pages, describing, but suffice to say it was more than Vegas on big fight night.

Deeper question that it appeared on the surface.

Answer 2

Assuming that Ali is still free of Parkinson's syndrome at that age, I think he can beat Evander. Remember that Muhammad fought Larry Holmes when he was 38 and at that time he already had symptoms of the desease, and in his last fight against Berbick, when he was nearly 40 years old, he made a good account of himself although it was obvious that Parkinson's had robbed him of his once immense talents. Ali would always have an advantage over Holyfield because he's taller, he's bigger and has longer reach, which he could certainly use in fighting Evander from the distance. He also has an advantage in terms of experience and ring savvy. If he's in good shape, he could escape with a decision win over the Real Deal.

Answer 3

Muhammad Ali

Answer 4

Muhammad Ali

Answer 5

Holyfield had much more left in the tank at 38. For that reason I'll take Evander.

Answer 6

Ric, I hate to say this but Ali would lose a decision to Holyfield if they both fought at age 38. Ali is ranked higher on my all time list because of how fast and good he was when he was young.

Answer 7

The Greatest,Muhammad Ali of course.

Answer 8

Ali 4 sho because he would still be floating like a butterfly and stinging upside holyfields head have a nice day.

Answer 9

Ali got "old" quickly. His speed diminished. Holyfield wins.

Answer 10

I think Holyfield wins.

Now, who would win in a contest between a 20 year-old Mike Tyson, verses Kimbo Slice? I say Mike would win.