ThatOne wrote: Jack Johnson - Holmes by KO in 7
Gene Tunney - Holmes by KO in 4
Jersey Joe Walcott - Holmes UD on points.
Ezzard Charles - Holmes by KO in 9
Floyd Patterson - Holmes by KO in 8
George Foreman - Draw, Holmes down a couple of times but, rallies back to go the distance.
Evander Holyfield - Holy by SD on points
Archie Moore - Holmes by KO in 6
Joe Louis - Holmes by KO in 9
Prime Larry Holmes Versus
Re: Prime Larry Holmes Versus
Re: Prime Larry Holmes Versus
I used to think that Holmes-Foreman was an obvious Holmes win. Holmes had a good defence. Great straight punching (which did George in Zaire) and Larry was a hard man with great recuperative powers.
Foreman was very dangerous early on but Holmes’ jabs would wear him down mentally and physically. I could see it ending no other way than a late KO for Holmes.
I still pretty much hold to this. Yes, George always has a puncher’s chance – maybe the best puncher’s chance of any boxer who ever lived – but 8 times out of 10 Holmes would win.
But, as Tyson fans argue, Holmes always fought back when hurt. He could execute a game plan but when he got shook he would always look to fight fire with fire. This is why the Tyson fans believe Mike can beat him and the same has to hold true for Foreman. At some point Holmes gets hurt, stands his ground and these will be the most important moments of the fight. It’s clear that Foreman could finish the fight at any moment Holmes decides to trade.
Without the comeback I wouldn’t have George in my top 10 HWs. He rarely made top 10 lists prior to the comeback. He was carefully managed and matched but you can’t argue with what he achieved in that time.
I’ve also read that Foreman and his people didn’t think Ali would give Foreman a rematch if he looked too good against Young. George was said to have held back early on and then when he tried to step it up he realised he couldn’t and that Jimmy was in his groove. No idea if this is true or not.
In the end I’d still go for Holmes but perhaps not as confidently as I used to.
Foreman was very dangerous early on but Holmes’ jabs would wear him down mentally and physically. I could see it ending no other way than a late KO for Holmes.
I still pretty much hold to this. Yes, George always has a puncher’s chance – maybe the best puncher’s chance of any boxer who ever lived – but 8 times out of 10 Holmes would win.
But, as Tyson fans argue, Holmes always fought back when hurt. He could execute a game plan but when he got shook he would always look to fight fire with fire. This is why the Tyson fans believe Mike can beat him and the same has to hold true for Foreman. At some point Holmes gets hurt, stands his ground and these will be the most important moments of the fight. It’s clear that Foreman could finish the fight at any moment Holmes decides to trade.
Without the comeback I wouldn’t have George in my top 10 HWs. He rarely made top 10 lists prior to the comeback. He was carefully managed and matched but you can’t argue with what he achieved in that time.
I’ve also read that Foreman and his people didn’t think Ali would give Foreman a rematch if he looked too good against Young. George was said to have held back early on and then when he tried to step it up he realised he couldn’t and that Jimmy was in his groove. No idea if this is true or not.
In the end I’d still go for Holmes but perhaps not as confidently as I used to.