Larry Holmes (Cooney Fight) V Mike Tyson (Spinks fight)?

I think Holmes was at his best in 1980-81 and I would make him a slight favorite. Dunno about the Cooney version.

 

I know Holmes was well past his best when they fought but he didn't get stopped again after that. Tyson was the only one to stop him in a 75 fight career.

 

Mike is always going to be a stylistic nightmare for Larry. It doesn't mean he can't overcome it.

 

If Tyson can't get to Holmes inside 5 he takes another Buster beating, this time by an all time great.

 

For that one night Cooney was a genuine,world-class contender,not an overhyped '' white-hope ''.It was
actually Cooney's finest performance.This was an excellent and somewhat underrated victory for Holmes.

 

I would just about favour Larry Holmes.Obviously Tyson was more explosive than Joe Frazier,who I regard as kryptonite for Holmes.
However Tyson wouldn't subject Holmes to the constant,every minute of every round type of pressure that Smokin'Joe would inflict on Holmes.
So,although I wouldn't bet on a penny on the outcome,I would vote for Mr Holmes.

 

No sane person can look at a Larry Holmes who had to dig deep against Cooney and was coming off almost getting knocked out against Snipes and conclude that he's beating Tyson, who knocked him out in real life.

 

Mike would be a huge favorite but what do you say to posters who will argue that wasn't the best iteration of Holmes?

 

They're just picking their favorite fighter and Mike hurt their feelings.

 

LOL!! It seems like I say this all the time regarding these hypothetical Tyson vs. (name your opponent) matchups. So much depends on the opponent being able to withstand Tyson's explosiveness out of the gate. And it seems like I always come to the conclusion that IF the opponent can survive the first 4-5 rounds that fighter becomes my clear favorite to win.

The version of Holmes that fought Cooney would follow this exact same script against the Tyson of 1988 Michael Spinks vintage. He survives Tyson's early onslaught and goes on to a UD or late stoppage in roughly 12-13 rounds.

 

Fun fact: Tyson went 8-1 against fighters who made in past five rounds from 86 to 91.