larry holmes--what do u think about him

[atomic bull]

The most underated Heavyweight. IMO

CutMeMick, I agree 100%. I have always said Holmes was the most under rated heavyweight of all-time. Without a doubt the best jab, better than Louis, better than Liston, and Foremans not to mention a highly under rated right cross, the heart of a lion, and a solid chin. Holmes in his prime completely out boxes Foreman and stops him in 7-9 rds. And as far as Holmes losing to Spinks, Larry was over the hill, and got jobbed big time in ther rematch. I don't give many CC Mick, but I have to give you one

[El Kabong]

Dude whatever...a Prime George Foreman beats pretty much anyone. Holmes' defense wasn't as good as Ali's

[El Kabong]

I am not sure that would have been a good strapline for a fight in Zaire ??

The Siesta in Kinshasa

[ICB]

holmes can do rope a dope tactic aswell

[El Kabong]

holmes can do rope a dope tactic aswell

Yes but there's 100% chance of the ropes not being as loose as they were in Zaire

[ICB]

i really wouldnt like to say out of foreman vs holmes either foreman gets him quick or holmes survives foremans punches for first 4 rounds and stops him late or wins ud against foreman

[plinden]

Some of the most frustrating things in the world -and a reason hope there is a heaven and that boxing is allowed- is that Holmes and Foreman didnt meet.

Its so frustrating. Its wrong. The most frustrating thing is that they had sooooooo much time to do it.

I mean after they stole Foreman's hard earned belt and gave it to Briggs why would not a legend fight be a classy exit? I think that they were both scare to lose their legacy.

Another hateful dissapointment was that Tyson ducked Foreman and we never got to see the old man end the career of that sad little disturbed man. I think that few serious boxing fans would give Tyson much of an edge, although every casual fan and all the media would.

[Vessel]

Holmes was an excellent boxer and had one of the best jabs in the sport of boxing. He did not have the natural reflexes of Ali but he could block with his gloves,elbows,arms etc a lot better than Ali could. Holmes just came at the worst time in boxing (right after Ali).

It is sad that you could not be in the same era of Ali because he beat and stole the spot light from from whom ever, Shavers and Cleveland would of been better in a different era. Then you could not be in the era right after Ali cause you could not live up to the name.

I am so glad that when I win us open in Jan of 07 and hopefully make Olympics trails when I turn professional there will be no Ali I have to live up to in this era, but thats another story.

bottom line: Larry Holmes who was an exceptional boxer could never make it out of Ali's shadow.

EASY

[SimonH]

Holmes was an excellent fighter, but never could quite get out of the Ali shadow...

Peaked in 78 though 80, thus he was not a worldwide household name when he was at his best IMO.

But the fight with Cooney showed he deserved an all-time top 10 ranking at Heavyweight. And the likes of the Norton, Shavers, Snipes, Whitherspoon and Mercer fights showed he often found ways to win, when it looked like he was on a loser.

Sadly the Marciano number was not to be, but at least he lost to a mighty fine fighter in Spinks.

[shza]

Holmes was an excellent fighter, but never could quite get out of the Ali shadow...

Peaked in 78 though 80, thus he was not a worldwide household name when he was at his best IMO.

But the fight with Cooney showed he deserved an all-time top 10 ranking at Heavyweight. And the likes of the Norton, Shavers, Snipes, Whitherspoon and Mercer fights showed he often found ways to win, when it looked like he was on a loser.

Sadly the Marciano number was not to be, but at least he lost to a mighty fine fighter in Spinks.

I don't think the Cooney fight shows anything--Cooney was a mediocre fighter who was seriously overhyped because of his skin color. IMO, wins over Norton, Shavers and Mercer are what give Holmes his credibility.

[SimonH]

Holmes was an excellent fighter, but never could quite get out of the Ali shadow...

Peaked in 78 though 80, thus he was not a worldwide household name when he was at his best IMO.

But the fight with Cooney showed he deserved an all-time top 10 ranking at Heavyweight. And the likes of the Norton, Shavers, Snipes, Whitherspoon and Mercer fights showed he often found ways to win, when it looked like he was on a loser.

Sadly the Marciano number was not to be, but at least he lost to a mighty fine fighter in Spinks.

I don't think the Cooney fight shows anything--Cooney was a mediocre fighter who was seriously overhyped because of his skin color. IMO, wins over Norton, Shavers and Mercer are what give Holmes his credibility.

Hindsight is a beautiful thing, in 1982 Cooney was considered by many (maybe for the wrong reasons), for real and I think he was at the time, look at his record, it was very impressive...

[Pugilistic]

as a great boxer who will always be a legend

[LBSCFC]

definitely a top 5 heavie of all time. criminally underrated. I think what was evident more than anything was his amazing heart. had one of the greatest jabs of all time (next to liston). all you can do is beat the man in front of you and he did that 48 times before defeat number 1

2 things that hurt him

he followed ali and tyson came after

the rocky marciano jockstrap comment

[shza]

Holmes was an excellent fighter, but never could quite get out of the Ali shadow...

Peaked in 78 though 80, thus he was not a worldwide household name when he was at his best IMO.

But the fight with Cooney showed he deserved an all-time top 10 ranking at Heavyweight. And the likes of the Norton, Shavers, Snipes, Whitherspoon and Mercer fights showed he often found ways to win, when it looked like he was on a loser.

Sadly the Marciano number was not to be, but at least he lost to a mighty fine fighter in Spinks.

I don't think the Cooney fight shows anything--Cooney was a mediocre fighter who was seriously overhyped because of his skin color. IMO, wins over Norton, Shavers and Mercer are what give Holmes his credibility.

Hindsight is a beautiful thing, in 1982 Cooney was considered by many (maybe for the wrong reasons), for real and I think he was at the time, look at his record, it was very impressive...

I recognize that it's hindsight, but it's a given that hindsight is allowed (and necessary) if you're talking about a fighter's place in history. As for Cooney's record, it was impressive against very weak competition plus shot and retiring (literally, after both fights) Ron Lyle (39 years old) and Ken Norton (37 1/2 and having won only 2 of his last 5 fights). It's a little like Jeff Lacy. Except replace the "Great White Hope" with the "Great American Hope."

Now I'm just waiting for Britkid and his superior knowlege of boxing history to tell me about the five great fighters on Cooney's record that I've never heard of.

[SimonH]

I recognize that it's hindsight, but it's a given that hindsight is allowed (and necessary) if you're talking about a fighter's place in history. As for Cooney's record, it was impressive against very weak competition plus shot and retiring (literally, after both fights) Ron Lyle (39 years old) and Ken Norton (37 1/2 and having won only 2 of his last 5 fights). It's a little like Jeff Lacy. Except replace the "Great White Hope" with the "Great American Hope."

Now I'm just waiting for Britkid and his superior knowlege of boxing history to tell me about the five great fighters on Cooney's record that I've never heard of.

Well to play Devils Advocate... I cannot find five , but it should be noted he beat a Jimmy Young, who would rebound in 1982 to win The Ring's comeback of the year.

Cooney did what few could in disposing of Norton and Lyle. Sure they were past their best, but Cooney was awesome in that time period.