Larry Holmes (1982) against the current HWs ?

[SenorPipino]

Cooney wasn't one of his best fights either. Holmes gave Cooney too much respect.

Much closer, much more competitive than it should have been.

[oogiebe]

Cooney wasn't one of his best fights either. Holmes gave Cooney too much respect.

Much closer, much more competitive than it should have been.

Most definitely. Cooney was mass-hyped.

[SenorPipino]

Cooney wasn't one of his best fights either. Holmes gave Cooney too much respect.

Much closer, much more competitive than it should have been.

Most definitely. Cooney was mass-hyped.

Five years later, little Michael Spinks tore into Cooney with no fear, despite the massive physical differences.

Cooney was undoubtedly depleted by then, but that's 20/20 hindsight.

He could still belt.

[ValMar]

Cooney wasn't one of his best fights either. Holmes gave Cooney too much respect.

Much closer, much more competitive than it should have been.

Most definitely. Cooney was mass-hyped.

I opened this topic, but, really, I have not the proper answer/opinion.
Anyway,there are some facts :
1. Holmes had never been defeated during his prime.
2. His era has been pretty weak (after Ali and before Tyson).
3. His size has been quite enough to be the HW champion (as I know, he was something like Ali).
4. He had some decent scalps (Norton, Shavers, Leon Spinks, Whiterspoon). Of course I don't count his win against old/shot/ill Ali.
5. Regarding Cooney, I don't know a lot about American bullshait race issues, and I don't consider Cooney as a top level HW.

[Duran1970]

Holmes would be the top dog in the division. I can see the bigger names at the top giving him some trouble in fights, but he'd beat 'em.

I was in my twenties when Holmes was champ and he's one of my all time favorite fighters, having seen just about every one of his fights from Norton to the end of his career. That said, I have trouble stating he'd be number one today. Top 4/5? Sure. I think he'd have a lot of issues overcoming the huge size discrepancies of today's superheavyweights 1-3. I'm not saying no, but I can't say yes.

Large size discrepancies indeed, but skill can defeat size, and when you're a 200 plus pound man you're physically strong enough to hurt anybody, even if they got 40 or 50 pounds on ya.

Holmes' greater skill would've won him the day against all of the current guys. Joshua would be the most trouble for him I think, but I think he'd beat him too.

He'd beat Wilder easy. Wilder might shake him with a big shot here, and there, but other than that Holmes would be outboxing the hell out of him every step of the way.

Fury's little dance and showboat, hands behind his back, tongue out routine wouldn't impress Holmes none either.

X2