Is this forum overrating Larry Holmes?

A survey of this forum showed that members chose Larry Holmes as the # 3 ATG HW.
It can be further discussed.
An interesting question is "who is the # 3 ATG HW"?

 

I would think an ATG rating from #4 to # 6 is reasonable and it seems most here view Larry evenhandedly. Not every champ has the ideal competition to uphold but they still yield results that you would project to be no worse than what other ATG guys might achieve given the same competition.

Besides sterling skills, Larry had that rare, high degree of moxie and drive to prevail - a quality only seen among the very elite ATGs. It's easy to imagine in any scenario where the going got tough - Larry would get that much tougher. Larry was wicked fighter, especially when he got hurt and/or p*ssed. He simply came back even stronger and meaner. That's a great fighter. LOL.

 

His career defining win is a Ray Mercer? If so, then I dont get how you can compare that to other heavyweights like Frazier, Ali, Lewis, Bowe, Holyfield and Foreman. They all have wins against Top 10 ATG. A win against Mercer isnt in the same league. Thats what im trying to say.

 

Lewis's win is over a very old Holyfield and shot Tyson. Which one of Lewis's win is over top 10 heavyweight? Bruno? Briggs? Tua? Rahman? Grant? Golota? Weaver? Mason? Lewis never had a win over top 10 ATGs too.

 

Well Holmes never even faced a Top 10 ATG (I think we both wont count the Ali win). Lewis atleast beat two, even tho they were past prime.

 

The Ali fight counts. So he did face a top 10 all time heavyweight. If Holmes had not fought Ali he would have been accused of ducking him. He also faced Tyson and Holyfield

 

After the top 2 there's a fair number of fighters that you can make an argument for the third spot, so it's a bit hard to overrate any of them unless you place them in the top two. And I can't remember anyone placing Holmes there.

 

Hell of a good fighter but IMO very overrated on this forum.

 

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/mike-tyson-had-a-better-career-than-larry-holmes.669560/

 

This is professional boxing, a fighter wants top dollar for their efforts, pay big you get the big fights, but fact is that has been the story throughout history of Heavyweight title holders, but that said i take your highlighted opinions on board and not going to dispute them, even The Greatest took on a fighter with only 7 pro fights by the name of Leon Spinks rather than face Norton again.

 

Agree with every single word this time, Kernow.

And I doubt a man who in his late 30s and early 40s took on Tyson, Holyfield and Mercer would have been scared of the likes of Page (who famously called him a 'chicken-livered coward' on the cover of The Ring) or Thomas. Larry just knew his worth and probably realised he was never going to get the acclaim he felt he was due, simply because he wasn't Ali. Why then risk a beating or losing the crown against tough fighters when he could earn nearly as much with less risk against lesser foes?

As you say, it's professional boxing and Larry was the consummate pro. Okay, he didn't quite clean out his division (which I think, contrary to popular opinion had some good fighters and good depth). He wasn't the first champ not to do so and, Jesus wept, with all the sidestepping that goes on now, he won't be the last.

 

no

 

The more I think about it---Larry handled his career like a pure business man. Risk vs reward. Carried that into his post career. One of the most ex successful boxers we have ever read about. Right up there with Max S. Overrated? No. I have him #3-4. My opinion has changed of him after watching many of those 80's fights. Main attribute---everyone talks about the jab but his ability to recover and right hand played a key role. IMO.....

 

Never faced a top 10 atg heavyweight? He fought Tyson and Holyfield. The exact same atg's that Lewis fought. But Holmes fought them while they were closer to their best.

 

He's a solid #3 under Marciano and Dempsey.