Larry Holmes vs. Lennox Lewis... Who you got?

This is kinda my take on it - the big thing is Lewis for me I try and picture the younger Lewis in these kinda showdowns - I go against 90% of people when's say I prefer the younger less experienced Lennox to the older heavier slower but but possibly more technically sounds and tactically astute Lennox.

Lewis was amazing when he was young - yeah he didn't develop the experience until later in his career but he had that street arrogance and contempt in him when he was younger he had that ****iness and probably without a very good trainer ironing him out a bit he wouldn't have been as successful as he was as he got older and slowed down but the younger version is the peak Lewis IMO.

And he was FAST - it's what set him apart when he was on the way up - he could be a bit petulant and not really concentrate but he was confident enough in his own ability that he wasn't in any rush if someone was a bit awkward and he could definitely finish fights when he decided to go for it - he was a ruthless finisher against Bruno and Ruddock - it's been suggested doubtful that Lewis could pull it out and stop Holmes if it were needed based on Shavers not doing it and Snipes etc but neither did anything once they'd dropped him and both had him there for the taking - shavers absolutely should've finished him but he was a bit of a mug in not doing it to be honest Lewis was nasty when things opened up for him and he could produce some vicious shots out of nowhere he Definately had the tools and the ability probably lean towards Larry but not by much

 

Lewis is big, strong, skilled and a power puncher. This will be no cake walk for Holmes. Competitive bout but it's that prime Holmes jab at always that wins the bout for him over 15 rounds.

 

This is my take as well and I think your view of it is both well balanced and bang on.

 

That's an interesting question. Which version of Lewis was better. I'd go with Steward version definitely, but for certain opponents younger Lewis may be even more dangerous than the older version, because:

1) Younger Lewis was quicker
2) He was more agressive and took more risks
3) Sometimes wild punches can catch you (see Biggs fight)

On the other hand, older Lewis would've done better against Bruno, aging Tucker or McCall, for those reasons:

1) Better jab
2) more experience
3) clinched well
4) more technically sound, more compact punches

It would be interesting if Steward started working with Lewis since his pro debut.

 

Yes, that is an interesting discussion, and I agree that with some opponents, the younger, faster version of Lewis may have been better, if nothing else, that version was more entertaining.

 

Lets just say I would take Manny Stewards observations on Lewis's athleticism and mobility over a keyboard warrior like you every day of the week and twice on Sunday's.

As for his jab, you obviously haven't seen enough of his fights to see that he pawed with the jab when it suited him to set up the big right hand. He was more than capable of out jabbing opponents when he thought it more prudent.

 

I would pick Larry more often than not.

Lewis had a lot of tools and talent, but was often lazy and relied too much on his power. Larry was more well-rounded. I think Lewis would struggle like hell with Larry's superior jab.

 

keyboard warrior lol.. isn't everyone on this site a keyboard warrior then? and I could point to quotes of Steward praising Holmes as well.. like that is an end all to the discussion or something? of course lennox was athletic and pretty mobile for a big man, but Holmes was better in both departments, and was quicker.

I just don't think Lennox had a better jab than Holmes, at all. I'm aware that he would paw & snap out the jab when necessary - but I definitely think Holmes would win this fight with the jab, as they were both outfighters and both operated off their jabs.

of course it's worth mentioning that Lennox struggled against opponents with a very good jab; notably Mercer, Bruno and Vitali.

 

I think it's been mentioned every time someone picked Holmes over Lewis. In fact I think it's the most mentioned thing on this entire thread.

 

I think Holmes has the tools, but his weakness is he gets mad when he's hurt. Like the whole world owes him money. Major chip on his shoulder. He got away with it against and tired Shavers and inaccurate Snipes, but Lewis has f u c kng cannon b a l l s for shoulders. Larry acting tough and trading shots when hurt gets him in this kind of trouble:

https://youtu.be/KUAYl5n6O48?t=703

 

I don't think he got mad when hurt. He was quite cool-headed in the ring.
I think he was competitive, and when caught with a hard punch he was quick to retaliate, even things up, defend himself, impose himself, which is what all the great champions do.
Ali, Hagler, Holyfield, for example. Very competitive in that same way.

 

I think you posted the wrong link.
That's Lewis-Golota.

 

Holmes on points....

 

Lennox said he wouldn't fight old man Holmes in the 90's because of that jab. Give me a prime Holmes by decision in 12 or 15.

 

I would favor Larry.