Holmes: overrated or underrated?

Cojimar 1945 · Post by **Cojimar 1945** » 27 Mar 2006, 01:21

Pinklon Thomas does not stand out from other contenders of the time period. Holmes would have no more reason to fight him than some of the other contenders.

Ezzard · Post by **Ezzard** » 27 Mar 2006, 07:46

I think Holmes did avoid Pinklon Thomas. Larry wanted 50-0 and wanted to fight less dangerous opponents. Thomas was considered by KO magazine (after beating Weaver) to be the best HW in the world. Holmes was not doing anything that hadn't been done before in picking his challengers. Larry was old and wasn't as dominant in his fights as he had been. I remember being a bit let down that he was fighting Mike Spinks when the discrepancy in weight was so huge (shows what I know).

As for Spoon... I really think Tim was a very very good fighter who a
lacked discipline and motivation. I think he was a cut above the other Alpha title holders but couldn't get it together. I actually believe that his career best performance was against Holmes. If Tim had gone on to do the things his talents deserved then Holmes' victory would look a lot better.

People say Holmes was a sucker for a right hand. I don't agree. You don't go 48-0 by taking too many right hands. Maybe it was a weakness (like Ali's for left hooks), but Larry wasn't easy to hit.

kick asner · Post by **kick asner** » 27 Mar 2006, 10:48

BrocktonBlockbuster49 wrote:yes, but wut do u think about the fact a fighter like tim witherspoon gave a prime holmes basically an even fight? is this a bad mark on holmes record? i mean he also never rematched spooon to establish who the real winner is, nor did he fight pinklon thomas 82-85 who was undefeated and had beaten spoon.

I would say it is a bad mark on Holme's record,especialy from a historical perspective. Just think would could be sitting here discussing the Holmes Witherspoon trilogy much like Zale/Gaziono, Robinson/Lamatta instead of lamenting what might have been. Their were scores of rematches I would have liked to see that never came off, or fighters who never met in the ring who should have.

Ezzard · Post by **Ezzard** » 27 Mar 2006, 11:07

kick asner wrote:
BrocktonBlockbuster49 wrote:yes, but wut do u think about the fact a fighter like tim witherspoon gave a prime holmes basically an even fight? is this a bad mark on holmes record? i mean he also never rematched spooon to establish who the real winner is, nor did he fight pinklon thomas 82-85 who was undefeated and had beaten spoon.
I would say it is a bad mark on Holme's record,especialy from a historical perspective. Just think would could be sitting here discussing the Holmes Witherspoon trilogy much like Zale/Gaziono, Robinson/Lamatta instead of lamenting what might have been. Their were scores of rematches I would have liked to see that never came off, or fighters who never met in the ring who should have.

Rematches have always been a big part of boxing history but matchmakers seem reluctant to make them these days.

kick asner · Post by **kick asner** » 27 Mar 2006, 12:09

I always thought fighters themselves needed to step up and take a more active role in determining who they should fight.

Holmes: overrated or underrated?

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