My opinion about Foreman vs Holmes

I posted this in the other thread:

Holmes had more speed, skill and stamina though. Foreman got outboxed by Jimmy Young. Holmes is a better all round boxer than '74 Ali and Jimmy Young.

Foreman might be able to hurt but Holmes had immense heart and powers of recovery. Foreman can be hurt himself and is also a bit of a front runner. If he doesn't KO Holmes in the first 6 rounds Foreman is going to start slowing down.

Holmes also wanted a fight with Foreman in the 90s and Foreman didn't fancy it. He also retired when he could of tried to challenge Holmes for his titles.

Also while you can point to Holmes being hurt. Foreman was hurt and nearly out against Lyle, who was a bit of a caveman

 

Foreman for me. When he was undefeated he was a force of nature. Mentally he did not take that loss well. He could cut off the ring like few others, had better stamina than is supposed and was downright frightening when he thought himself invincible. I think he'd get Larry inside the first 5. Holmes would be moving but Foreman would be cutting off the ring and shortening things the longer it went. Unlike a Cooney Foreman had immense power in both mitts and avoiding it for too long would be tiring. Holmes wouldn't settle much and his jab would not have it's normal sting on the move. He wouldn't dictate. Foreman would be cornering him and letting both hands fly when he had him stationary and not just to the head. Foreman only needs a clean blow or two to have someone on ***** street. He's also not in the same stratosphere as Weaver, Snipes, Shavers et al as a finisher, he's much better. Holmes would plant his feet and try and fight him off as he did successfully with others but with Foreman it would be the worst possible scenario. I can see a Foreman TKO over a game Holmes pretty early.

 

Agreed.

The other thing to add to this is I do not like Holmes' ability to absorb body punishment. Look what an old Norton did to him.

The Foreman body shots will take away those legs. And mobility. and he'll drop those hands to cover up. And this happens before Holmes can take advantage of the Foreman fatigue factor. Holmes will have to work way too hard in the early rounds--this isn't Weaver applying the pressure. and the Holmes offense is not going to bother Foreman early anyway--he'll walk through it.

 

I agree. It's a tough match. I don't assume Larry is gonna make it through those first 5 rounds rounds. He could and then perhaps he has the advantage. Holmes could dig deep but when Foreman is letting those wrecking balls go any one of them could be the beginning of the end.
On the other hand if I was gonna build a fighter to beat Foreman he would look very much like Holmes. As you said Larry fell asleep at times defensively. In a fight like this he would be very much awake.
Overall I dont think we should give Holmes much of an edge if any.

 

Foreman had such heavyhands that a guy could block his punch and still be hurt from it and moved by it. That would often lead to a follow up blow that was clean. George was also uncommon in that he threw so many punches. He didnt have to load up or conserve his energy he just kept firing.

 

Correct.

And George would do things like load up when a guy turned and blast his shoulder. Usually the hitters look for the sweet spot. Foreman was the exception.

The one big thing in Holmes' favor is that he was not a guy that gets hit with uppercuts. You have to take those left and right uppercuts away from George. I just think Larry will be out of legs and may have to spend time on the ropes. If so, those uppercuts become extremely effective and I just don't see Holmes working off the ropes very good against this guy.

 

This is my all time fight that I’m mad never happened that could and should have! Idk who would have won but it would have made a hell of a match. I agree it’s not a gimme win for Holmes and it’s a fight I wouldn’t bet on

 

for 40x his previously largest payday. In the present day boxing, 4 titles changes opportunities. Back then, opportunities were not common and tougher to turn down.

 

All very very true.

 

Holmes doesnt need to run against Foreman. The Jab and ring generalship would keep George rt on the end of Larry's punches and Larry had the faster rt hand that had legit stopping power. Every time George mounts an attack hes met by one or multiple jabs followed by a whipping rt hand that catches him more times than not. Holmes knew how to manover a man where he wanted and theres not much size difference here George having ten plus lbs on him. Holmes batter's a frustrated exhausted Foreman enroute to a 10th rd TKO

 

Nearly identicle to the Shavers knock down, Holmes seemed very open to the right hand.

 

I said Ali Louis and Holmes can all be interchangeable