Prime: Muhammad Ali .Vs. Larry Holmes

[Addie]

Originally Posted by TG1

With two fighters of that calibre and skill you can't say for sure who would win. Ali in his prime (aged 24) was a stunning fighting machine as was Holmes (aged 30).

This fight goes either way with the slightest of edges to The Greatest. No knockdowns, no knockouts and neither hurt.

I feel the same way, TG1. I don't see how anyone could be confident either way.

[swede_dreams]

I think Ali takes it by a decision-being favored by the judges.

[booradley]

I've always thought this would be an epic "chess match." If forced to make a pick, I'd pick Ali in a fight close enough to be controversial.

[Clinton]

Ali's footwork would be the difference as Larry wasn't comfortable moving forward,which is what he'd have to do in this one.Muhammed by decision.

[les]

ali wins,moving and punching then sitting down and punching hard.if larry chases like against spinks,he can't win

[caballo]

Ali wins. What are the tools Holmes possessed which would have pulled off the victory? Holmes had an excellent jab but not good enough to pepper Ali. Holmes would not have been able to stop Ali even though Holmes had a good right hand. Ali was way too elusive with an iron chin. This fight would have gone like most of Ali's fights in his prime. Ali would have slowly built points and weakened his opponent with his jab (yes, it would have found Holmes) and then he would either stop his opponent through an accumulation of punches in the late middle to late rounds, or he wins a decision (more likely against Larry Holmes but a stoppage possible).

[arther1045]

Originally Posted by Addie

I feel the same way, TG1. I don't see how anyone could be confident either way.

I am confident that a primed Ali is too fast for Holmes. No way Holmes wins this fight.

[MRBILL]

Holmes always does well and hangs tuff with Ali................ Ali would never have a walk in the park with a peak (1980) Holmes................. Holmes of '80 gives a peak (1967) Ali fits in losing to 'The Greatest' on a close points decision............ Ali faster; Holmes with better power......... A great tactical dream fight for the ages.........

MR.BILL

[newbridgeboxing]

Muhammad Ali of 1967 would dance his way around a prime Larry Holmes, avoiding his jab with his supreme reflexes and countering like a cat.

It would be a wide UD, Larry would try and cut him of but a peak Ali is as slippery as an eel.

[Pachilles]

Ali would make Holmes look like an overrated asshole

[Bummy Davis]

Ali was greater, he wins a UD in a competitive fight

[groove]

holmes was always inferior except his jab was good. he learnt from a past peak ali. better than nowt as he proved but a cleveland williams ali woulda showed him some movement/broken rhythem lessons.

[IntentionalButt]

Pre-exile Clay makes it tough for early-reign Holmes.

Tough, but not impossible.

Refusing to commit decisively one way or the other isn't a cop-out, it's just the most rational conclusion (or maybe resignation is a better word than conclusion) one can arrive at.

[Pusnuts]

Tough to pick, maybe Ali if I had to choose

[SuzieQ49]

1960s Ali beats holmes. Ali's over the top fast sharp right hands will be too much for folley.