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I think its fair to say that no one really puts any importance on their fight, Ali was obviously way past his prime and Larry was on top of his game so it was no contest... but what about if they both met in their primes?
Personally I see it as a decision for Holmes. I think he may have had the style to beat a prime Ali, what do you guys think?
Honestly, while it would be a great fight Im sure... I don't see what a prime Holmes did better than a prime Ali. Not to say he didn't equal him in certain areas. I just see Ali as overall the better fighter at his very peak..
I would agree with that statement. While the might have been close in some areas, Ali had all the tiebreakers and advantages. Ali's intangables would come into play as well, like his will to win and be the best.Quote:
Originally Posted by p4pking
Holmes had all these aswell you could see that in 15 round slugfest with ken norton his will to win was huge and he always wanted to be best but he always lived in Ali's shadow plus the era he was in didnt have all greats like in Ali's oneQuote:
Originally Posted by THE Bigragu
this is how i see it
Power= equal
Speed= Ali
Footwork= Ali
Stamina equal
Chin= equal
Heart= equal
Jab= Holmes had better one in my opinion
there isn't much to split them Ali never met anyone who had a jab as good as his nor did he meet someone with speed of Holmes and vice a versa its pick em for me
I don't think Larry did anything better than Ali - wide UD for Ali.
The Ali from 1966-67 would win a unanimous decision over Larry Holmes, perhaps even a late round Ko.
The Holmes jab wouldn't have landed often enough due to Ali's great defensive skills and reflexes.
Ali on the other hand with that longreach and his hit and don't be hit method would have frustrated Holmes into making many mistakes.This happened to nearly all of Ali's opponents in the 60's whether it be big punchers like Liston, Cooper or Williams or slick boxers like Patterson, Terrell etc.
I think big Larry is one of the top ten best Heavys ever, I just don't see him beating a prime Ali.
come on man.............
ali would still beat holmes
Being from the Philly area I love Holmes,what he did for the city of Easton should earn him a saint hood.And he is a painfully underrated champion.
That being said,when I break down tape on Ali with a fighter,I allways have to throw out the caveat,"You cant do that"
A completely done Ali.still took Holmes ten rounds to get him out of there.
Ali
It took Holmes 10 rounds because Holmes was holding back on his power trying not to hurt Ali.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey
The first few rounds he tried to take him down.I agree that at the end Larry was just staring at him wondering why he wouldnt go down.Ali never did stay down in a fight,hell he still stuck in with Norton to get the split with a broken jaw.Quote:
Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING
Holmes was a great fighter in his prime,but Ali was unique
Can't argue with that Holmes is my favourite in Hw division but Ali was just something else love him or hate him he was exceptional athlete.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey
Ali could just do things that not only could other boxers not do,other boxers wouldnt even attempt
The only thing that Ali did(and did it too often) that used to drive me nuts,is not taking certain opponents seriously.
Cmon,he should have had Wepner out of there in two,but he toyed with him to get in some ring time,and gave Wepner the confidence to keep coming
I mean yeah,he won those fights,but they shouldnt have even been fights
agreedQuote:
Originally Posted by p4pking
if pressed i would go with ali. the master always holds something back from the student. ;)
ali wins because of his great footwork and speed
Homes had great footwork and speed aswell and when did Ali ever meet someone with skills of Holmes for people to say for sure ?? im not saying Holmes would win but would Ali win easy hell no.Quote:
Originally Posted by ds91
Holmes IMO had a better jab than Ali but Ali is too fast and beats ol' Larry by UD
I see what Holmes did better than Ali.. Jab. His jab was better and his right hand was straighter. Ali was great but come on guys. A great guy like Holmes had some things as good as Ali.. Not saying he was better, but he had some good qualities. 20some title defenses? I think prime Holmes to prime Ali and Ali wins a UD in a grueling fight.
quote]
The first few rounds he tried to take him down.I agree that at the end Larry was just staring at him wondering why he wouldnt go down.Ali never did stay down in a fight,hell he still stuck in with Norton to get the split with a broken jaw.Holmes was a great fighter in his prime,but Ali was unique
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Holmes was unique also. Holmes jab was a great jab.. The unique thing is that in the 1980 we had two of the best jabs in boxing ever. Holmes and Hearns both had great jabs and great right hands.
Agreed people seem to think Ali is like some super human that would beat anyone he struggled with alot lesser boxers than Holmes.Quote:
Originally Posted by LegendBoxing65
Good point.Quote:
Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING
Basically I think it would be a very close, compeditive fight. But I think Holmes had the superior jab and ultimately IMO that would be the difference.
Both were quick, both had great chins and a lot of heart combined, both weren't big punchers. I think Larry would be pumping his superior jab in Ali's face all night because he wouldn't have to worry about a big knockout counterpunch coming his way like he had to against Norton/Shavers/Cooney/ect.
Ice, yeah that happens. Guys think that Ali was untouchable, but he was hit enough and was in grueling fights. I think Holmes was better than Norton and as far as consistency better than Foreman.. So he would have had to have a shot at beating Ali or making it a tough fight.
Totally agree he thought Nortons jab was tough it would be whole new ball game with Holmes jab i think Ali could maybe edge it out but it would be close and Holmes is imo one of those hws out of all eras that would probably give Ali his toughest fight.Quote:
Originally Posted by LegendBoxing65