Both called themselves the Greatest, but Ali is universally recgonized as such, and has more right to the moniker. The 1960's Ali would dance around Holmes, tantamount to teasing Larry, while Larry tries to catch him. Ali pumps out the jab and fires fast and hurtful combos. My verdict: A UD for Ali, or maybe even a late TKO, if Ali's combos really start to grind Holmes down. Holmes survived full on bombs from Earnie Shavers, who was dubbed as the puncher of the century, so I don't feel Ali will KO Holmes, unless Holmes gets tired from trying to chase Ali around the ring. The 1971-1975 version of Ali would take alot more hits. In my view,very little chance of Ali KOing Larry - Larry had a good chin, and Ali wasn't really a concussive knock out puncher, but he would have enough power to get the attention and respect of Holmes - just like he did to Liston in the first three rounds of their title fight. My verdict: A UD for Ali. Holmes may have been GREAT, but Ali was the GREATEST.
Larry had a weakness he never overcame but since it was against movers it seldom was noticed. When following a moving target Larry wouldn't throw punches until the opponent stopped, Bennie Briscoe had a similar weak point in that he never learned to throw punches when he was slipping them. Against a prime Ali this would be one of the big separation marks, as long as Ali moved and threw he'd be the lone scorer. Ali by a clear decision here.
This would be a great fight. Real 50/50. Il give it to ali just coz hes ali. Now peak ali beats holmes
Why? What was so special about Ali's right hands? I would actually say Holmes right hand was slightly more powerful.
It may have been but the right hand was the punch that seemed to bother Larry the most and Ali had a sharp fast right as well as a sneaky fast right lead. I'm not saying that Ali would KO Larry with it but he could pile up points with it. Ali of the early to mid 70's would use the right lead to set up a combo then clinch I think. The Ali of the 60's wouldn't need to because he could stay on his toes all night....or all week if need be. A tough fight for both no matter when it happens but I give the edge to Ali in both decades.
This is one of the biggest myths about Holmes. That because the knockdowns he suffered in his career was all by right hands then that must mean that he was especially vulnerable to right hands. Its just a coincidence that most of the fighters he fought favoured the right hand as their power punch. I mean, apart from Coo ney, what other noted left handed power puncher do you remember Holmes facing in his career?
Any version of Ali before the third Frazier fight wins Peak Ali probably kos Holmes and his unbelievably overrated chin Oh what? Did he suddenly no longer have a chin when he fought Tyson? And then Suddenly find one again against the lesser punching holyfield Nope, common sense says His chin was good not great A good puncher like Tyson exposed the chin Shavers was a jobber at best Shavers had Holmes on ***** Street and couldn't land a single shot to finish him Anyone else that night kos Holmes in that situation
C.mon Holmes had a very good chin, Like Shavers record until near the end of his career, excellent despite his flaws & during a great HW era, he was better than a "jobber at best". And Holmes still won almost all rounds in both fights. I do not think anyone could have smoked Holmes after the KO, Holmes survived other scares, though yes, Shavers not the best finisher-though look at all those KOs, still very dangerous, Holmes was retired for several years & took the Tyson fight on short notice, He was better a few years LATER in his 40s. If you are only stretched once in all those years & fights, you have an excellent chin,
