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

79 when he survived a knockdown to stop shavers.

He was far an wide the best hw on the planet from 78. The late 70's holmes was a very complete boxer.

 

Shavers I in 1978, or 1982 when he had more experience and comfortably shut out Cobb over the championship distance. When Larry was on high alert during this five year period, I think he may have been a top three all time HW.

 

Despite winning a razor thin decision from Ken Norton?

 

i hate it when people say that. if you score the fight holmes won decisively. Norton had his moments but it was not razor thin, contrary to the judge's scorecards.

 

Not despite, because of, he clearly beat the best hw out there when he beat norton.

Ali and leon might been having a has been vs never was side show but the real quality fights where coming from young, norton and ultimately larry when beat the latter.

 

May?

Larry is the greatest HW of all time.

 

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

 

Fair question ... I personal like the 1980 version the best ... as far as the man who beat Norton , Larry always claimed he had a torn right bicep for that fight ... I have no reason to doubt him ...

 

The one with the flying dragon kicks.

 

1981

 

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

 

Neither Norton or Cooney had Tyson's finishing skills.


If the thread question is to be asked at all, it needs to be reversed.

What version of Tyson would prime Holmes have beaten ?

While I rank Holmes over Tyson in terms of greatness, I don't give any version much chance in a head-to-head.

If Holmes gets hurt (quite likely), he's a goner.