What year version of Larry Holmes had the best chance against Tyson?

[Webbiano]

I'll agree with the majority here and go around the 78-82 years for Larry. One specific year would probably be the end of 81. Still around 210-215 lbs, plenty of experience against world class opposition, and still in great physical shape.

Whether he would actually beat Tyson is a whole different matter. Style wise it certainly favours Tyson, however Larrys jab could frustrate Tyson along with clinching fairly regularly and his heart was unquestionable. I think Holmes could win, but my money would certainly be on Tyson

[Mendoza]

Originally Posted by Bummy Davis

I think Tyson was the wrong style for Holmes at any stage ( pressure and right hands) The best Holmes may have lasted until the 7-8th-9th

Holmes was a boxer with great punch variety and enough pop in his mits to get to Tyson, the same way Holyfield or Douglas did. Holmes' chin was on par with Holy's. I think he had even better speed, better smarts, and more stamina in comparison to Holyfield and Douglas.

Essentially Holmes had the right style to beat Tyson. Tyson is a dangerous front runner, but after he got hit a bit, or the rounds rolled on, he lost steam, will and poise.

I would pick the 1978-1982 Holmes over the 1986-1987 Tyson.

[round15]

Originally Posted by Robbi

Any year between 1978 and 1982. Holmes was in his prime in that 4 year span.

I'd bet on this version of Holmes to outpoint Mike over 12 rounds. Don't know if Holmes could stop Tyson inside the distance, but I wouldn't put it past this version of him.

[El-Mafioso]

Prime Tyson beat a prime Larry by UD

[mr. magoo]

Homes looked pretty brilliant in 1980. He was a more seasoned champion than the one who faced Norton, Shavers and Weaver, yet still possessing the speed, stamina and workrate of a younger man. Additionally this was his most active time as a champion. He defended 4 times in 1980, and 3 times in both the previous and following years. He was busy, and opperating like a well oiled machine. I'm still not 100% sold on the idea of even this version of Holmes taking Tyson, but showing up in his 1980 form would likely be his best bet.

[mr. magoo]

Originally Posted by Joe E

Nope. Holmes is all wrong for Tyson. Evidence the Tucker bout.

The Tucker bout is evidence of nothing. Tony Tucker was a totally dissimilar boxer than Holmes and one who often fought to survive rather than taking any chances to get a leg up on his better foes. At 6'5", 225 lbs, he had a tremendous size advantage over Mike, even greater than the one a prime Holmes would have, and couldn't win more than three rounds. Not saying Holmes couldn't beat Tyson prime for prime, but the Tucker bout gives us no gauge as to weather or not it would happen.

[tommy the hat]

1980 or 1981.

[Robbi]

Originally Posted by Webbiano

That's 5 years

[No Fear]

Originally Posted by Bummy Davis

I think Tyson was the wrong style for Holmes at any stage ( pressure and right hands) The best Holmes may have lasted until the 7-8th-9th

Are they fighting in a vacuum or is there a possibility that any version of Holmes would have been intimidated by Tyson's reputation, meaning that Prime Tyson beats Prime Holmes, 10/10?

[Stevie G]

Originally Posted by No Fear

Are they fighting in a vacuum or is there a possibility that any version of Holmes would have been intimidated by Tyson's reputation, meaning that Prime Tyson beats Prime Holmes, 10/10?

Holmes did n't seem to be the type who got intimidated. Only in his fight in real time with Tyson. That's only because he knew that he was being a twat for meeting Tyson at that point,and being totally unprepared for it.

[ThinBlack]

THe 1981-1982 version of Larry takes Mike in a grueling fight.

[Vockerman]

This year's version of Larry against this year's version of Mike

[apollack]

Larry was at his best from 79 to 82. He was still really good after that, but I think his discipline and motivation dipped a bit. He was still the best heavyweight in the world, but not quite as sharp. So, any version of Holmes during that time period would do. Doesn't matter what year, because prime Holmes gets into fantastic shape for a Tyson type fighter and would give it his last breath to win. And he'd do whatever it took to win - fight, run, grab, duke it out, stink it out, regardless, he'd find a way.

[MRBILL]

Holmes beween 1979 and 1982 was peak....... Holmes who beat the piss outta "Shavers, LeDoux, Berbick and Cooney" was right in mind and body...... The Jan. '88 Holmes was in okay shape for a dude age 38, but also rusty as a door nail in a haunted house.....


SR.BILL

[Caelum]

Originally Posted by Joe E
Nope. Holmes is all wrong for Tyson. Evidence the Tucker bout.

O'...this fight. Yeah. I saw this one time too. I remember seeing a 5'11 fighter with a short reach land Jabs on a 6'5 fighter with a long reach. I remember seeing this much bigger man tie up this small man because he feared getting tagged. I remember this much smaller man "struggled" while winning UD. I guess if you don't knock them dead, you "struggle" your way to a UD. Most of the rest win a UD...brilliant. Tyson...exposed.