Larry Holmes vs Oleksandr Usyk?

Holmes via close UD or MD. He looks bad in victory.

 

Man I really like Usyk but I also really respect Holmes as an all-round elite level boxer that used his skills to pay the bills. Joshua was an excellent win for Usyk but his skill level is "pretty good" as opposed to Holmes' "superb".

My problem is trying to break this down is that I don't think either of these guys have really faced anything like each other. The Ukrainian school of boxing is kind of different to everything else, staying in the pocket and using constant movement and feints to throw the opponent off. I guess you could argue Tyson had some of these elements but that was also an old version of Holmes.

At this point I'd have to say Holmes wins on pedigree with Usyk having a healthy chance of the upset.

 

To add to that, Holmes was durable and had incredible recovery powers. Even if he got hurt badly, unless the job is finished right then and there, he'll be fine in 30 seconds. Shavers hurt him bad and he barely survived the round, and then he comes of the corner at the start of the next round like nothing had happened.

Yet somehow he's going to get battered into a stoppage? Not seeing it at all.

 

I don't see a path to victory for Uysk. No way is he knocking Holmes out. No way he's out pointing the GOAT jab either or out working a prime Holmes at 34 years old. He can make it difficult with his skillful movement, but this isn't a slower limited guy like Joshua, this is the Easton Assassin.

Uysk has a shot at the Holmes that lost to Spinks. I would favor him over the one that lost to Holyfield. But prime Holmes? I can't think of anyone past prime I'd favor to beat a guy like that. You have to be at your best to topple an all time great Champion.

A 34 year old Usyk... faster than a prime Holmes? I can't comprehend such rubbish.

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I give old Holmes a good shot if Uysk falls for whatever you'd call what Holmes did to Mercer. Sort of a rope-a-dope variant. It's funny how good Holmes was at fighting like that, for a guy who won most fights from the outside.

 

Holmes and it would be a good if not great fight.
Maybe Usyk looks a little tricky for Larry but he's not winning against Holmes and his jab.

 

Holmes but not with ease, his superior jab would be the key to victory although my opinion is that Usyk moves better than Holmes...

 

Too close to call but Usyk poses Larry real problems in this fight.

 

Holmes jabs at range with fast, unpredictable angles he learned as Ali's sparring partner. I doubt Usyk has ever seen anything quite like it and beating a stiff robot like Joshua doesn't mean he's ready for the man who is arguably a top five Heavyweight of all time.

Holmes by UD 116-112

 

IMO ---not even close. Holmes UD. Too skilled .Too tough down the stretch. Except for Spinks #1.Everyone has an off night. Just re watch 15th round with Norton. Usyk has had a good run. Larry had a career of it. Lets see how Usyk continues,

 

I don't know, the Holmes jab is one of the best individual punches I've seen in boxing, and Holmes is good in all phases of the game. But the Usyk movement, amateur experience, and strength and conditioning make it hard to pick anybody to beat him, and like Holmes, he has no glaring weaknesses. In addition, Usyk is a southpaw, Holmes was knocked out twice by Nick Wells, a southpaw as an amateur. Maybe Holmes had problems with southpaws or maybe it was just the big punching Wells.

I'd like to see this one but I wouldn't want to bet on it until I had seen a few rounds. I think something that people overlook with Usyk is his physicality, he walks on his hands and bounces on his fist and I've seen him do 20 pull ups on a training video. I doubt many/any top heavyweights could do that. I also like the fact that Usyk doesn't have many pro fights and he got his experience at the top of the amateur game where a fighter doesn't get to pick and choose opponents. Usyk has seen everything that boxing has to offer and doesn't seem to have much damage to his body.

Holmes and Usyk is too close to call without seeing them in the ring. Usyk has a huge challenge ahead in 6-9, 275 pound Tyson Fury who moves like a small man. That might be the toughest test he could face.

 

Very nice summary.

 

I'm gonna have to hold off judgement on this one until we see Usyk vs Fury.

I mean Usyk could well be the best fighter to have ever lived tbh.

 

another vote for Holmes

 

Holmes and easy. He isn't Joshua. He can actually jab and is faster.
And I'll be honest I thought Anthony would catch him but he didn't BUT most of what I saw is that Anthony has an incredibly week ring IQ.
When something doesn't go his way he can't adjust.
He just looks confused.
But Usky is skilled for sure.