BoxRec

Larry Holmes vs Michael Dokes in 1983
Larry Holmes vs Gerrie Coetzee in 1983
Larry Holmes vs Greg Page in 1984
Larry Holmes vs Pinklon Thomas in 1984-85

and just for the heck of it will throw in an immediate rematch
Larry Holmes vs Tim Witherspoon II in late 1983

Holmes KO 9 Dokes
Holmes KO 8 Coetzee
Holmes UD Page
Holmes TKO 12 Thomas
Holmes UD Witherspoon.

Holmes would win everyone. Nobody was as good as Holmes then.

DrDuke wrote: ↑18 Jan 2020, 08:42 Holmes would win everyone. Nobody was as good as Holmes then.

Me too and Holmes would out-box each of them behind his great left jabs and right hands.

Larry Holmes TKO 11 Michael Dokes
Larry Holmes TKO 8 Gerrie Coetzee
Larry Holmes WUD 15 Greg Page
Larry Holmes TKO 13 Pinklon Thomas
Larry Holmes WUD 15 Tim Witherspoon II

Stylewise, in 1983, Michael Dokes would cause problems for Holmes due to his advantage in handspeed. Holmes jab is harder at this point but Dokes' is faster. Early on MD would beat Holmes to the punch and open up a clear lead. If Dokes sticks to jabs and nothing for than 1-2's he could pull a big upset, but in the second half of the fight I think he'd get more confident and start throwing 3-4 punch combinations in this would be his undoing, as Holmes would start landing counters in the exchanges and gradually taking control. By about the 8th Holmes would be coming on, and I think he'd TKO Dokes around the 13th.

Against Coetzee, Holmes would start off jabbing cautiously for about the first 6 rounds when the South African was at his most dangerous, after that Larry would start landing combinations more and more as Coetzee begins fading. Around the 11th Holmes would take Coetzee out with a flurry of punches.

Greg Page would have his moments against Holmes, landing hard shots and even rocking him on occasion. Being Greg Page however, he'd never be able to follow up on or sustain his attacks. In the end, a much more assertive Larry Holmes would win a clear UD by 6-7 pts.

Seamus wrote: ↑17 Jan 2020, 12:43 Larry Holmes vs Michael Dokes in 1983
Larry Holmes vs Gerrie Coetzee in 1983
Larry Holmes vs Greg Page in 1984
Larry Holmes vs Pinklon Thomas in 1984-85

and just for the heck of it will throw in an immediate rematch
Larry Holmes vs Tim Witherspoon II in late 1983

In the timeframe you presented:

Holmes UD Dokes
Holmes UD Coetzee
Holmes UD Page
Thomas UD Holmes.

If it was 1983, Page would beat Holmes by a close UD. Which is why Larry ducked him, and Thomas as well.

If Pinklon Thomas is at his best, I think he edges Holmes in 84 or 85. Thomas' solid chin, good jab, combination puncher, decent power and stamina, probably see's him through to SD win over Holmes.

Finally, in an immediate rematch between Holmes and Witherspoon. I think Larry comes in totally focused and eager to show that the first bout was a fluke. This time a determined Holmes wins by about 8-3-1, 8-4.

Seamus wrote: ↑17 Jan 2020, 12:43 Larry Holmes vs Michael Dokes in 1983
Larry Holmes vs Gerrie Coetzee in 1983
Larry Holmes vs Greg Page in 1984
Larry Holmes vs Pinklon Thomas in 1984-85

and just for the heck of it will throw in an immediate rematch
Larry Holmes vs Tim Witherspoon II in late 1983

Holmes beats Dokes....period....probably any way he wants to.
Same with Coetzee
Page vs Holmes at the top of their game would be an intersting (to me) fight. But possibly boring.....and I think Larry can not take this fight for granted. That would be key.... I'd lean Holmes....but if the odds were right, I'd be very happy to bet on Page.
Holmes and Thomas would have some fireworks.....but gotta go with the Easton Assassin.

And Tim and Larry would always be a good scrap. But Larry wins 2 out of 3.......and very likely two in a row....with no need for a rubber match.

I really don't give Dokes or Coetzee much chance against Larry. I think he beats them every day of the week.

You'd also have to make Larry the favourite against the other three, but I can see them winning rounds against him and actually making a fight of it...

I will also say that I believe that Witherspoon, Page & Pink are all underrated these days because Tyson has sort've claimed the mid 80s onward as his own...