George Foreman Circa 1973 V Larry Holmes Circa 1980
Posted: 21 Dec 2009, 09:04
Who wins and how?
I am going for a 52-55% likelihood Foreman gets him outta there in the early going. A critical element is the swiftness of Foreman's assault --- though his handspeed nor reflexes were great, the actual speed with which he crossed the ring & piled on the pressure (a type of intensity not seen at the highest echelon of Heavyweight, IMO, since the days of Dempsey roaring forth from the stool) gives him a very real chance to stun Holmes badly. The best work Holmes ever did was when he could establish that brilliant jab &, consequently, dictate the tempo. It had a taming effect. I'm not convinced he can build rhythm, timing, & predictability before Foreman can build panic, urgency, & disorder.
That said, this is getting pretty close to those pick 'em affairs --- each man has an excellent, near-even chance to best the other. A slight edge in favouritism to an early Foreman stoppage.