What is Holmes would have got to 50-0?

[lufcrazy]

in terms of numbers, I don't think he'd get any higher than he already is tbh. had his last 3 fights been unification to end his reign as an undisputed champion he'd be in my top 3. had he then defeated tyson before retiring he'd probabl;y be my goat.

[PhillyPhan69]

I think he would have retired straight away, and likely not lured back by the money as some have suggested...perhaps a few years off and the 2nd career as we know it, but not sure.

Holmes was always angry about not recieving the love that some of his predecessors did....so for me to do do this he might feel that he trumps both Marciano and Ali (Louis as well) by this achievment. I feel he would still be critiqued for missing a couple of key challengers, but he would have become a clear consensus #3 (He probably already is), and have plenty of supporters who would argue him @ 1 or 2 as well....But this alternate reality never came to fruition for the Easton assassin!

[mr. magoo]

I really don't think that Holmes ever would have retired as long as he was still winning and there was money to be made.

[KuRuPT]

Holmes isn't close to top 3.. no way.. no how...

[ripcity]

If Holmes beat Spinks convincaly to go 49-0 who would he have fought in his next bout?

[ripcity]

Right now I have Holmes at #6 in my all time heavyweight rankings. I think if he had gone 50-0 and retired he would be right up there with Louis, Ali and Marciano.

[Hookie]

Originally Posted by luke

Holmes vs Tyson 86-87

tyson would have always beat holmes, his power jab is not a good weapon against tyson, if you use a power jab you have to take a step towards your opponent, and if you miss your one step closer to them, and you will be open on one side, and maybe off balance, i think holmes whole style is wrong for tyson.

I disagree that Tyson would beat Holmes prime vs. prime but opinions are like assholes... and most of them stink.

Anyway, about Holmes "power jab"... Holmes jab was never a weakness and it wouldn't be a weakness vs. Tyson. Oh wait, they did fight in '88... was it the Holmes power jab that helped Tyson win?

Look, Holmes knew how to throw a proper jab. His jab was hard, fast, accurate, and steady. He defended counters well and he was rarely off balance after throwing it until well into his 40's.

[mcvey]

Originally Posted by Hookie

Would he have retired and have stayed retired? Would it have changed how people rate him? Would it matter at all?

50-0 (34) overall and 23-0 (15) in HW World Title Fights is hard to ignore. My guess is he would have went after Louis' record of 25 HW Title defenses though... then what?

Not to me really, he is top 5 as he is.

[Flea Man]

I think prime for prime Mike takes Holmes. Larry got hurt a fair bit and Mike was the kind of finisher that wouldn't give him any time to recover.

[gumbo2176]

Originally Posted by Flea Man

I think prime for prime Mike takes Holmes. Larry got hurt a fair bit and Mike was the kind of finisher that wouldn't give him any time to recover.

So, this is the same Tyson that got KO'd by a 42-1 underdog in Buster Douglas in 1990. I'm not a big Larry Holmes fan, but in his prime, Holmes had a lethal jab and I believe he could have beaten Tyson by boxing smart.

[Lester1583]

Originally Posted by Flea Man

I think prime for prime Mike takes Holmes. Larry got hurt a fair bit and Mike was the kind of finisher that wouldn't give him any time to recover.

You do know your boxing, Flea.

[Webbiano]

Could certainly argue for him being number 1, but had he gone 50-0 with Tyson being number 50 I think the majority may take him over Ali and Louis.