Page 3 of 3

Re: Larry Holmes: Appreciated

Posted: 27 Dec 2018, 10:35
by Tony1244
Nile4000 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 10:29
Tony1244 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 10:22
oogiebe wrote: 26 Dec 2018, 15:39
I remember my late father saying he thought that Spinks was the perfect fighter to beat Holmes, at that time before the fight.
If Leon wasn't on the hooch 24/7 I think your Father would have been right.
:OhYes: :OhYes:

By all accounts Leon partied like John Belushi. When you think about what a great amateur Leon was against a tough field of Cubans, Russians, and in those days other Americans, the sky could have been the limit. You can see his potential in spurts like a great 40 seconds against Holmes. :OhYes:

Re: Larry Holmes: Appreciated

Posted: 27 Dec 2018, 13:31
by Nile4000
Tony1244 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 10:35
Nile4000 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 10:29
Tony1244 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 10:22

If Leon wasn't on the hooch 24/7 I think your Father would have been right.
:OhYes: :OhYes:

By all accounts Leon partied like John Belushi. When you think about what a great amateur Leon was against a tough field of Cubans, Russians, and in those days other Americans, the sky could have been the limit. You can see his potential in spurts like a great 40 seconds against Holmes. :OhYes:
Yeah, Leon is a big what if. Should have beaten Coetzee in the right condition :TU:

Re: Larry Holmes: Appreciated

Posted: 27 Dec 2018, 14:52
by Tony1244
Nile4000 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 13:31
Tony1244 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 10:35
Nile4000 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 10:29

:OhYes: :OhYes:

By all accounts Leon partied like John Belushi. When you think about what a great amateur Leon was against a tough field of Cubans, Russians, and in those days other Americans, the sky could have been the limit. You can see his potential in spurts like a great 40 seconds against Holmes. :OhYes:
Yeah, Leon is a big what if. Should have beaten Coetzee in the right condition :TU:

Of course you don't always know if what you read is true, but supposedly he was drinking throughout the 76 Olympics. I'm not talking about a victory celebration.

One of his ex wives said he drank, snorted and smoked constantly. He was partying up a storm before the Coetzee fight.

Re: Larry Holmes: Appreciated

Posted: 27 Dec 2018, 16:42
by Cojimar 1946
Many people have criticized Floyd Mayweather for allegedly not fighting the best competition. If Mayweather doesn't get a pass why should Holmes?

Re: Larry Holmes: Appreciated

Posted: 27 Dec 2018, 16:44
by oogiebe
Cojimar 1946 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 16:42 Many people have criticized Floyd Mayweather for allegedly not fighting the best competition. If Mayweather doesn't get a pass why should Holmes?
Take it back to the Mayweather thread.

Re: Larry Holmes: Appreciated

Posted: 27 Dec 2018, 16:45
by Cojimar 1946
Why? I'd love to hear people try to explain away the hypocrisy

Re: Larry Holmes: Appreciated

Posted: 27 Dec 2018, 16:47
by oogiebe
Tony1244 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 10:22
oogiebe wrote: 26 Dec 2018, 15:39
Nile4000 wrote: 26 Dec 2018, 15:37

I feel you, O, but it is just sad, in a certain way. Which is why Holmes-Spinks l is sort of a wake up call to Larry.
I remember my late father saying he thought that Spinks was the perfect fighter to beat Holmes, at that time before the fight.
If Leon wasn't on the hooch 24/7 I think your Father would have been right.
I was referring to Michael.

Re: Larry Holmes: Appreciated

Posted: 27 Dec 2018, 17:01
by Ambling Alp II
Cojimar 1946 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 16:45 Why? I'd love to hear people try to explain away the hypocrisy
It's not hypocrisy because they are two totally different scenarios.

In Mayweather's case, he had two major fights that clearly would have been much bigger challenges than anything he took took on. He could have fought Pacquiao several years sooner. He aso could have fought Marquez at a lower weight.

Holmes had several potential opponents that were roughly even; probably over a dozen. He fought some and not others. Sure, it could have been nice if he could have fought a couple more. However, it would have been next to impossible for him to fight everyone even if he wanted to.

Holmes also beat Norton and Shavers before taking on all them. You can legitimately say that Holmes beat the fighter that could have. You can't do that for Mayweather.

If you want to continue this, start a new thread, instead of hijacking another thread about a fighter from before your time.

Re: Larry Holmes: Appreciated

Posted: 27 Dec 2018, 17:03
by oogiebe
Ambling Alp II wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 17:01
Cojimar 1946 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 16:45 Why? I'd love to hear people try to explain away the hypocrisy
It's not hypocrisy because they are two totally different scenarios.

In Mayweather's case, he had two major fights that clearly would have been much bigger challenges than anything he took took on. He could have fought Pacquiao several years sooner. He aso could have fought Marquez at a lower weight.

Holmes had several potential opponents that were roughly even; probably over a dozen. He fought some and not others. Sure, it could have been nice if he could have fought a couple more. However, it would have been next to impossible for him to fight everyone even if he wanted to.

Holmes also beat Norton and Shavers before taking on all them. You can legitimately say that Holmes beat the fighter that could have. You can't do that for Mayweather.

If you want to continue this, start a new thread, instead of hijacking another thread about a fighter from before your time.
:TU:

Re: Larry Holmes: Appreciated

Posted: 27 Dec 2018, 17:46
by Tony1244
oogiebe wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 16:47
Tony1244 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 10:22
oogiebe wrote: 26 Dec 2018, 15:39
I remember my late father saying he thought that Spinks was the perfect fighter to beat Holmes, at that time before the fight.
If Leon wasn't on the hooch 24/7 I think your Father would have been right.
I was referring to Michael.
Oh, ok. A lot of sports writers were picking Leon against Holmes. Your Dad was right. Michael had discipline.

Re: Larry Holmes: Appreciated

Posted: 27 Dec 2018, 20:33
by Nile4000
Tony1244 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 17:46
oogiebe wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 16:47
Tony1244 wrote: 27 Dec 2018, 10:22

If Leon wasn't on the hooch 24/7 I think your Father would have been right.
I was referring to Michael.
Oh, ok. A lot of sports writers were picking Leon against Holmes. Your Dad was right. Michael had discipline.
As well as timing on his side.