Who was Muhammad Ali’s best opponent?

[Master]

Larry Holmes was chasing Big George Foreman for a fight. I feel Holmes had the chin to withstand the power of George and the boxing skills to convincingly outbox him at their peaks.

[The Six Four]

Master, I agree—Holmes had the skills to trouble any of Ali’s top opponents. But he got caught clean plenty, and if a prime Foreman landed flush, I’m not sure he’s getting back up.

[Mark TKO]

Well in hindsight it’s Larry Holmes but I try and tell myself that fight never happened.

So with that parked to one side has to be Foreman for me.

If prime Holmes fights prime Foreman I’d fancy Holmes to avoid being bombed out and get the UD.

[Master]

Master, I agree—Holmes had the skills to trouble any of Ali’s top opponents. But he got caught clean plenty, and if a prime Foreman landed flush, I’m not sure he’s getting back up.

Holmes always got up and he was knocked down hard by some of the biggest punchers in history. How he got up after Shavers, Snipes and Tyson I do not know. Holmes had amazing recuperative powers.

[Mark TKO]

Am sure he said it was hitting the canvas hard that woke him up when Shavers hit him

[The Six Four]

I've always felt Foreman beats Holmes. His relentless pressure would force Larry out of his comfort zone, constantly cutting off the ring and making him work overtime. Foreman’s right hand would crash over Holmes’ jab, and once he’s hurt, George has the killer instinct to finish. Norton slowed Holmes with bodywork and forced him into a firefight—Foreman would do it even better. Holmes struggled against uppercuts on the ropes, and I don’t see him standing his ground in center ring against Big George. Unless he fights a perfect fight, Foreman’s right hand finds him eventually.

[TitoFan]

I've always felt Foreman beats Holmes. His relentless pressure would force Larry out of his comfort zone, constantly cutting off the ring and making him work overtime. Foreman’s right hand would crash over Holmes’ jab, and once he’s hurt, George has the killer instinct to finish. Norton slowed Holmes with bodywork and forced him into a firefight—Foreman would do it even better. Holmes struggled against uppercuts on the ropes, and I don’t see him standing his ground in center ring against Big George. Unless he fights a perfect fight, Foreman’s right hand finds him eventually.

I agree, Six Four. Of course, I have to admit to a slight anti-Holmes bias. Never liked the guy personally. But besides that, Larry got knocked senseless by Mike Tyson. Foreman was a much bigger man, and had thudding power. I think George hunts Larry down and knocks him out.

[The Six Four]

Holmes’ personality didn’t do him any favors, but in the ring, he was elite. That said, I always felt Jimmy Young was slicker and better defensively than Holmes. Foreman nearly took Young out in the seventh, and if he could hurt a defensive wizard like that, I don’t see Holmes surviving. George cuts off the ring, lands the right hand over the jab, and once he has Larry in trouble, he finishes the job.