How would he get around Fury`s longer jab? Also Wilder used the counter jab well at times v Fury, Larry never faced many counter jabs in his career and not with a reach of 83 inches.
Oh sure I imagine Ruiz would have looked real good the first two rounds. When he wasn't eating that pole-axe jab. I'm certain he'd get some good punches in, he's a really good puncher with abnormally fast hands. It's a matter (for one thing) of Ruiz not being able to fight on the outside effectively for long periods of time (the jab and overhand right), mid (Larry would push him off or clinch), or inside (Larry's most powerful punch the uppercut, plus Holmes had elite clinching skills when inclined). I would never be dumb enough to try to impugn Ruiz's seriously impressive championship victory. But I just see him getting really aggravated, perhaps catching Larry with a couple of stunning blows and then having to deal with Larry's vicious resiliency. I would be interested in seeing him or any of the other four prove me wrong in the future.
Everyone who was anyone in heavyweight boxing from 78 to 85. The people whom claim he ducked them got beat by the people Larry beat. How many champions have done that.
It will be telling. But I'm trying to get past my knee jerk lessening of opinion of AJ. I thought he was a fine champion until seeing this...but hey I watched LL get knocked out by two blah fighters, come back and become a top six or seven ATG.
Mark You have no idea what you are writing about. A longer reach DOES NOT mean you have a more effective jab. Tyson out-jabbed nearly every opponent as one example. Outjabbing is all about speed, reflexes, timing, skill. REACH is the last thing to look at.
4-0 Holmes. I actually rate Holmes pretty highly on a head to head basis as I believe he has style to effectively compete with any heavyweight in history past or present. I think the OP was fairly generous with the predictions, Ruiz wouldn't last the distance with Holmes. I don't think he see's past the 10th round.
You do realize Holmes was past 40 when he fought Holyfield and Mercer right? I think most here would agree that version of Holmes was far from his best.....Right?
Ruiz is a nothing. Holmes top five ATG. Totally different class of fighter. Larry completely dominates this hypothetical fight.
I agree with both of your points. If the top 15-20 heavyweights all had a round robin, my money would be on Larry emerging with the best overall record.
How could someone who’s “nothing” have a better win than Larry Holmes ever got? Could he be “nothing” because of his body fat percentage?
