To my shame, I watched Holmes vs Holyfield and Holmes vs Mercer for the first time. I was very impressed with Larry. Sure he didnt have a lot of movement, but his hands were quick, good punch selection and pretty tricky defense wise. How was he viewed in his 2nd career?
Both were more successful at their advanced ages in the Heavyweight division, than any other former champ s. Legends.
Holmes had some very solid performances in his 40's with the Mercer win being the standout. Mercer was no joke and Larry won that fight fairly easy. He alo looked good in his close loss to Oliver McCall. Side note, drives me crazy when folks talk about how shot Holmes was when he lost to Spinks in 85's. Holmes was solid well into the 90's as his performances against Holyfield, Mercer and McCall proved.
He also clearly beat Brian Nielsen at 47, but was robbed on the cards in Nielsen homeland. Scored that fight 116-112 for Holmes.
Big George knew it would be the DUMBEST fight he could take, for that time in his life in the nineties. He wasn't going to be finding a lucky punch on Larry 999/1,000 matches and he'd almost certainly get outpointed by a faster-handed oldie and his marketability as the old guy would just tank. Because he'd lose the old guy who can rumble with the young guns title and then where would he be?
Probably not much better If even better at all. While Larry was more active in the 90s he was also four years older.
I think Larry was worn down, worn out and burned out by the Spinks fight. I think the time off and having nothing to lose rejuvenated him. (I also think he deserved the decision in the rematch with Spinks, but that’s neither here nor there.)
It's hard to say if he was "worn out" or not. What is undeniable is that he was still dangerous fighter a decade later beating a guy like Mercer. And I agree, Holmes won their 2nd fight.
