Larry Holmes fought bums for the most of it.

[ykdadamaja]

There, I said it. Holmes fought bums for the most of it. People like Evangelista and Frazier are not world beaters.

[Master]

Larry Holmes is the 3rd best heavyweight of all time behind Ali and Louis.

[TitoFan]

Not to mention the greatest WHINER of all time. But credit where credit is due. He was one of the best for sure.

[NoSavingByTheBell]

similar to Marciano's time, with lots of older fighters/club fighters that lowered the level of comp as some say...... Norton, Shavers, Cobb, Scott Frank(who i met by the way in Oakland, NJ, was very highly touted until Larry sparked him),, Marvis Frazier..... Leon Spinks...., somewhat parallel Walcott, Moore, LaStarza, Charles, Rex Layne, Kidd Matthews.........

but Larry pretty much schooled and beat a prime Cooney who was no joke, and tough fights with Witherspoon, Weaver, Williams....

Holmes I rank #4 all time

[NoSavingByTheBell]

[SlimTrae]

Holmes also prevented a few contenders from rising. Berbick was 18-1 when Larry beat him. Carl Williams was considered a top HW at the time undefeated. I remember he sold himself rather well The Truth! Nice jab. But Holmes took his '0'As well as Renaldo Snipes '0' who both IMO would have held titles had Larry not been there.
No fault he took on Spinks who kept himself in contentions with his win over Evangelistsa, but I agree neither fighter were world class.

Taking on 2 undefeated fighters back to back in Snipes & Cooney was & still is a rarity for HWs. & from 1981-1985 he faced 6 undefeated fighters. 8 total if we include & novice 10-0 Frazier & a 14-0 David Bey.
No world class beaters, but he took on some young fighters who gave him a run, especially Tim Witherspoon.
Not any greats, but he beat some good ones. Frazier eye injuries played a part in not being on that resume & Ali, then Young took Foreman's confidence, so that would have been the only fight where a champ could've given him a run for it.