Ali-Holmes, How Did They Allow This Fight to Happen...

[IamInuit]

Money. Everyone wanted a piece of Ali's money making potential. Networks,promoters,opponents even those who should have had his best interests at heart used him to publicise their own agenda and garner money and attention for themselves.

So true. Still Holmes should have told King to F-off. He was Ali's chief sparring partner for several years and watched him deteriorating.

Then again King at the time was boxing and Holmes was essentially given the choice of walking the plank or fighting Ali.

[donnydarkoIRL]

So true. Still Holmes should have told King to F-off. He was Ali's chief sparring partner for several years and watched him deteriorating.

Then again King at the time was boxing and Holmes was essentially given the choice of walking the plank or fighting Ali.

I think Holmes viewed this fight as his path toward the adulation he deserved and wanted so badly.
In boxing there is a term "the sparring partner mentality." Holmes never had this, I belive Larry would have viewed even a prime Ali as his sparring partner and a step up toward his own pedestal.