Prime Larry Holmes vs Prime Oleksandr Usyk 12 rounds

I see a close fight for 8 or 9 rounds, Usyk's hand speed helps keep it close. But in a 12-round fight, Larry excels over the last 3 rounds and wins by a close, but unanimous 12-round decision.

 

Holmes never fought a southpaw in his 75 fight pro career, so even if he wasn't avoiding them he had zero experience against them in pro fights (and probably little in sparring). He fought a future journeyman southpaw who was smaller than Usyk in the amateurs and got KO'd both times he fought him. Holmes wasn't a devastating puncher or body puncher either, far less heavy-handed than Joshua, Dubois and Gassiev. Holmes' game was centred around an elite jab, which Usyk being a master southpaw would negate. Realistically there wouldn't be a path to victory for Holmes but these polls are popularity contests which invariably favour fighters from the distant past (over 35% gave 5'10, 185 lbs Marciano at least a "5/10" aka 50% chance of beating Fury).

 

I don't see mid 80s Holmes beating Joshua twice or current Usyk losing twice to Mike Spinks. Holmes of earlier 80s, who knows. Usyk certainly a cut above any of his wins.

 

Butterbean

 

Holmes has alot more consistent solid wins over world class opposition though at Heavyweight, he beat 14 ranked top 10 opponents in his reign.

And I think Norton, Witherspoon, Shavers x2, Cooney, are all pretty good wins.

 

Holmes has a very nice resume, but I don't know that he beat anyone as good as AJ.

Also Holmes consistently failed to make a fight with the next best HW throughout his reign.