Larry Holmes vs AJ, Fury, Dubois

Stops aj and Dubois late. Wins 8-4 against Fury and scores a knockdown

 

3-0

 

Holmes boxes the head of both AJ and Dubois.

Fury would be a tough fight though, could see it being very close.

 

KO's the first two, no doubt. Fury he decisions- won't be a rematch- Fury on the canvas twice.

 

I’d favor him against all but Fury would be his biggest problem . Lot of height and reach there.

 

Surprisingly, i think AJ would be his toughest fight. AJ has a fantastic straight right hand and enough speed and skill to deliver it.

Dubois really struggles vs fleetfooted boxers. Prime Holmes was very very quick. So while its possible for Dubois to nail Holmes with a big booming right, i think its unlikely. I think Holmes comfortably outboxes Dubois and Dubois gives up late and get's counted out looking at his corner.

Fury has lots of height and reach but i think Holmes is smart enough to know that just like with Cooney, he needs to be more agressive. Fury offensively does not have that much to threaten Holmes with. Fury does not have a good left hook and while he has a good right hand, its nothing exceptional. Fury's best punch is the right uppercut and i don't think that is enough vs Holmes. Fury really struggles vs speedy boxers as Cunningham showed. I think that while Fury would be awkward for the first 6-7 rounds due to his height and reach, Holmes would eventually figure it out and sweep the later rounds and win a comfortable decision, something like 8-4.

AJ has the best two handed power + handspeed or the bunch and enough skill to get there. If Holmes makes a mistake after jabbing, AJ is most likely to land a big booming right over the top of the jab. And AJ has a good left hook too and while Holmes was never vulnerable to the hook, a good well placed hook that lands can cause issues. I think AJ gives him a hard night and Holmes manages to use his superior speed and stamina to squeak through. That being said, AJ is quite hard to outbox and Holmes does not have a southpaw left hand to confuse him. Holmes's punches will be much easier for AJ to read.

 

Dubois gets zapped just like he did the other night.
Motivated Fury can match Larry in ring IQ and give him a close fight, maybe more.
A.J is feast or famine. He either goes out like Leon Spinks or his athleticism gives Larry fits and he can win some rounds. If I had to bet, I'd take A.J to collapse mentally and lose spectacularly. But if he didn't, Larry could lose on points over 12. Big If there....

 

For the love of God, Fury would be his toughest fight and the one he drops imo.

 

Only Fury could worry him imo.
But I still go with Holmes by decision.

 

Yes.

 

Holmes is one of the best I've seen. I'd pick the best of Holmes against anybody who came before him, but Holmes is unproven against guys like Dubois, Joshua, and Fury. They are all big, powerful, quick, and can box. The closest guys to them Holmes fought were Leroy Jones (big, but not like any of the 3) and Carl Williams (longer than Holmes), and Cooney (tall, but not "big and strong", and he was one handed). I think Holmes has his hands full with any one of them, I definitely wouldn't pick Holmes to beat them one after the other. Dubois and Joshua punch extremely hard, are able to move, can box, have good stamina, and are much bigger than Holmes, Fury is even bigger than the other two and he is quick, a good boxer who can switch from orthodox to southpaw and he moves well.

If Carl Williams gave Holmes problems with his reach, Fury is much taller and longer. If Cooney gave LH problems with his power from the left hand, Dubois and Joshua are much stronger and both of them have power in both hands. LH "might" beat one of them in a "signature" fight, but he would be in a war. He wouldn't be able to beat 2 or 3 in a row.

 

I agree. That's a horrible schedule. In one-offs, I'd favor him over Dubois, and AJ, but tbh I don't see even the best Holmes beating Fury (or Usyk for that matter).

 

I think Fury gets the nod if he can somehow manage to get the fight in the UK. He might have to take 10 or a 20% purse to do it, But I think that homefield advantage would be big. Similar w/ AJ in Wembley.

The wear and tear from going against the first 2 guys would likely see him drop a decision to whomever was opponent #3. Do not think DD presents much of a challenge--but he is still better and more formidable than a lot of those Holmes title challengers. He would--at best--set the table for the next opponent to get the W. But he is not getting his arm raised after a bout with Larry Holmes.