Was Larry Holmes the "worst" heavyweight champion of all time?

Absolute crazy talk. He was one of the best ever and a guy that was second to Louis in title defences. It seems like you simply don't like him but that shouldn't take away from his in the ring accomplishments. I can think of more than one heavyweight champ that ducked black fighters. Too me that is far more dishonorable than Larry having an attitude towards opponents.

 

A boxer with a bad attitude???

Nah - Never... ... ...

 

On a more serious point, Holmes' behavior, after his first loss to Spinks, was very much within the sphere of 'ugly' and could be viewed as deplorable. But, I believe he subsequently took his words back and apologized.

 

I really see your point. And Fergy dropped the word

Fergy dropped the word...charakter. I never liked it. I put it down to a lot of little things. So i see your point. But I wouldn't go that far to say he was the worst or most miserable charakter of all HW Champs. He probably is, but I don't want judge him. It's personal. i just don't like him and i'm biased. So I can understand other people who don't like him either.

He carried his demons around with him. Got no respect and returned none. I think that caught up with him later. He never won the title again, although objectively he really deserved it.

 

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Unlikely, my friend. There are champions who both said and did things far more disgraceful/unlikable (one is probably the most discussed/revered heavyweight on this board).

 

Berbick was saying some really nasty stuff about Holmes's wife, so Holmes like any normal man beat the crap out of Berbick for it. And Berbick also a raped a babysitter who was 16 years old i believe ? So yeah you can add him to the list of another Heavyweight champion who was much worse than Holmes.

 

With you on that,Fergy. Mind you,he was no less obnoxious than scores of boxers who came before and after him.

 

I don't blame Larry one bit for that incident. Most of us would have either done the same as Holmes to Berbick or at least been tempted to.

 

Some could contend but I wouldn’t debate he’s up there.

 

I was being sarcastic.I rate Ali no1 all time greatest.

 

Ali before 1972 was far worse from what we know of his professional and private life than Holmes ever was.
Holmes was surly, could be blunt, and harsh, but most world class boxers were.
Very few ATG'S had the personality of Alexis Arguello.
Note: I love Ali, and the man he became after he matured is worthy of the praise he received.