Zora Folley vs. Larry Holmes

By the time that Zora Folley got a chance at the title on March 22 1967 against a peak champion Muhammad Ali, he was 34 years old, Ali stopped Folley by TKO 7. Folley had been in the ring against the likes of Sonny Liston, Brian London, Eddie Machen, Karl Mildenberger, and Ernie Terrell, he was also the first to defeat a raw Oscar Ringo Bonavena in 1965. Against Larry Holmes, Folley would have faced a fighter with a pole like left jab, similar to Liston's, also a fighter who was mobile like Ali was in their 1967 encounter. I think that Larry wears down Folley who makes a fight of it early. Holmes by TKO 8.

 

No, as good as a fighter he was, no way does Folley beat Holmes.

 

He would be competitive and lose.

 

Holmes lacks prime Ali's speed and boxing skills to systematically destroy Folley but he'd wear him down for a TKO around 8, while dropping maybe a round or so in the process.

 

Zora Folley was a world-class fighter,first rate techician.However Mr Holmes is one of the four
greatest heavyweight-champions in history so he would have to heavily,very heavily,favoured to
beat Folley.

 

Zora Folley was a very skilled and underrated boxer. He might take a few rounds away from Holmes but in the end I think Larry wins. He was just a higher caliber fighter

 

Zolley falls short again.

 

No chance. This is right there with the Evangelista/Ocassio type title defenses for Larry. Easy nights work.

 

OK I think this is a bit to far. Folley may not have been an ATG but he was legitimately one of the best fighters in the world at one point. Much better than Ocassio, and Evangelista.

 

Not fighting Holmes he isn't. Horrible matchup for him

 

Folley was the number one contender at one point. Evangelista and Ocassio were..... Evangelista and Ocassio. Folley was so much better than both of them.... like it's not even up for debate. He was also hell of a lot better than Renaldo Snipes.

 

Holmes is a horrible match for him. those jabs and occasional rights bust him up. And he won't land on a moving target. The only worse match is a prime foreman.

 

this is about a particular matchup--not an evaluation of a guy's overall skills. Foley does very well against the Jimmy Ellis and Alex Stewarts and lots of guys. I sure do not see that against a Larry Holmes. You do. Fine.

 

Zora Folley was the no.1 WBA contender when he fought a peak 25 year old champion Muhammad Ali on March 22 1967 in Madison Square Garden. Folley made a fight of it early but Ali's speed, reflexes, footwork and stamina were too much. After the bout, Ali was very gracious toward the 34 year old Folley. Ali even called Folley's family afterward to let them know that Zora was okay, he also told them of his admiration of Folley. When Folley passed away in 1972, My Mom, who was an LPN Nurse took care of Zora after that horrific head injury that he suffered by slipping in the swimming pool at the local hotel, she said that the Folley's were a very nice family.