The Best Of Larry Holmes Versus The Best Of Joe Frazier For $1,000,000,000.00

I'm not going to vote or predict anything other than, prime for prime, I see it either going late (Frazier left hook KO on an exhausted Holmes or Frazier stopped with closed eyes/facial damage) or the full distance, being close either way and it being a fight for the ages.

 

Frazier by late stoppage his swarming aggressive style, would be too much for Holmes down the stretch. Didn't Frazier actually break Holmes's ribs in sparring aswell ?

 

I hate this match up!!!
Two of my favourite s.
I see Larry taking the early rounds, maybe having Joe's face swell up, but he comes on as the fight progress. By the last stages, its Larry looking beat and tired.
The fight ends and its a split decision, in favour of.. Smokin Joe Frazier!!

 

Leaning towards a Frazier decision

 

Frazier by UD or late stoppage

 

Great blend of styles, guaranteed classic.

I lean slightly towards Frazier prime for prime but wouldn’t be surprised if Holmes won it either.

 

Frazier is all wrong for Holmes, albeith Holmes is greater.

 

Frazier by a wide decision.

 

We probably all agree? that the best Frazier was the FOTC version. That dude is not backing off, no matter what Larry throws at him. It's interesting that any fantasy fight which pits Joe against someone who could dish out some heavy punishment themselves over the long haul would probably present as Joe's peak, with perceptible decline thereafter - Joe leaving absolutely nothing in the ring. I don't know that Larry could put it to Joe like Ali did but, to at least survive, I suspect that the level of offence required from Holmes would have to be more than substantial. I'd go with Joe also, but I think this matchup has the makings of a great fight.

 

Holmes in a close decision after Joe takes him to places he’s never been. But I would never in this or any known solar system bet money on it.

 

I just rewatched FOTC a couple days ago and noticed even this version of Ali seemed superior to prime Holmes. Looked more powerful when he sat down on his punches, looked faster, had the superior jab, etc. His stamina may not have looked as good, but I doubt Holmes' stamina would've looked as good against Frazier either. Tbh I doubt he'd even go the distance.

 

Yeah, in FOTC, while there was rust, I saw Ali's yet to be fully tuned in stamina as the biggest issue. When Ali was active, throwing shots, he was doing great. He appeared to begin tiring within himself as early as round 4 - and taking any sort of rest against Frazier was perilous - that's when Joe was able to really step it up and start putting it to Ali. It was as if Ali had to undergo multiple regaining of winds to see it through - amazing in itself. There are some who immediately put second career Ali at a disadvantage vs peak Holmes - believing that it would take a peak Ali to beat peak Holmes. I agree with you though - I'd say up to Zaire 74, Ali could've still got over the top of a peak Holmes.

 

I'm in the camp of Frazier decision or possibly even late stoppage. I think it would be a grueling fight and Frazier would certainly cop his licks as well. He'll force Holmes to fight as he tires like he forced Ali to fight as he tired.

As Pug says as soon as you take any rest against Frazier he is all over you.

 

Stingy OP should throw in another couple of billion, smh