Prime Ali vs Prime Holmes

[Beanflicker]

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?

[p4pking]

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..

[bigragu]

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.

[ICB]

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.

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 one


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

[X]

I don't think Larry did anything better than Ali - wide UD for Ali.

[THE THIRD MAN]

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.

[blast from past]

come on man.............

ali would still beat holmes

[Trainer Monkey]

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

[ICB]

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.

[Trainer Monkey]

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.

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

[ICB]

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.

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

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.

[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

[VictorCharlie]

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..

agreed

[Lords Gym]

if pressed i would go with ali. the master always holds something back from the student.

[Pugilistic]

ali wins because of his great footwork and speed