BoxRec

Winner

Smokin' Joe would pressure him early, but Holmes would prevail by using his great left jabs, right hands and dancing around the ring to take a decision in 15 rounds.

Frazier by late round stoppage.

I like Frazier on points. It's a styles thing. Both were top class.

Smokin' Joe of the Fight of the Century smokes the great Easton Assassin Larry Holmes by decision.

I’ll take Larry on decision in a very tough fight. Larry down once. He keeps that jab working and swells up Joe. Larry gets the split decision.

A repetition of the 1st Frazier vs Ali fight.

Besides the great Mike Tyson, I don't think that the great Larry Holmes have ever fought someone as relentless as Smokin' Joe. Frazier was a nightmare for any fighter not named Big George Foreman.

My gut feeling - Holmes escapes with a questionable decision.

I'd have to favor Joe here ever so slightly, but a close decision either way wouldn't be a surprise. They'd both have hell in this matchup.

I may also favor Joe ever so slightly. I rank Holmes higher overall on a list but styles make fights and both guys would have their hands full.

Holmes by decision.

Holmes by fairly comfortable decision or later rounds stoppage

Styles make fights and Holmes's style (proven by the Ali fight) won't match up well enough to beat a prime Joe Frazier.

Probably looks similar to Ali Frazier 1, maybe Frazier could drop Holmes but he may hold on enough to survive late.

Frazier UD 15 rnds.

I can see Larry hitting the deck, getting up and shaking it off. The result is going to depend on how many times he does that. Reluctantly, I'm going Frazier via a tight decision.

Joe by close UD, would probably floor Larry in the mid rounds.

samcapes wrote: ↑01 May 2025, 22:29 Styles make fights and Holmes's style (proven by the Ali fight) won't match up well enough to beat a prime Joe Frazier.

Probably looks similar to Ali Frazier 1, maybe Frazier could drop Holmes but he may hold on enough to survive late.

Frazier UD 15 rnds.

Holmes and Ali's styles were distintfully different.
Many call Holmes an Ali clone but their styles HD vast differences

Similar enough.
They both were stylistically dependant on fighting on the outside. Both used Collar tie clinches and movement against the Fraziers (Ali against joe and Holmes against Marvis). Clearly Joe's better than Marvis and the same strategies that gave him success against Ali would work against Holmes.

Also I don't think Holmes has as good stamina, speed or movement compared to Ali which would punish him harder in the late rounds.