Is Tyson’s win over Larry Holmes underrated?

Let's stipulate Larry was neither prime nor shot. That being said the fact that Larry had such a good second career ironically adds more credence to Mike's win.

 

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It can get underrated. It's the way it was acheived, no-one stopped Larry before or after let alone put him out for the 10 count. Holmes was still a very awkward out with excellent durability and recovery and tons of guile. I hghly doubt many in history could have stopped that version that quickly, most would not have at all.

 

The passing of the torch has at times been an historical, almost traditional occurence at heavyweight. It might not even be the for title as has been accepted with Louis - Marciano. Ali had no business being in the ring with Holmes but it's another example of the torch being passed, and lineal at that. Jack Johnson vs James Jeffries is another. Tyson - Holmes was seen as another good example.

 

Not at all to squish your thread but you might be interested to read comments already posted in a recent thread re Tyson vs Holmes.

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threa...-his-holmes-fight.751902/page-5#post-23910803

 

A lot of good points here but to be contrarian, it was a strange fight and Holmes was uniquely bad in that one. He basically fought scared or confused until the last round when all of a sudden he came to life, got too bold, and go knocked out. I watch it occasionally and don't know what to make of it. I honestly believe if they fought again Holmes could do a bit better, though no one was beating Tyson at that moment in time.

But yeah, I give Tyson a lot of credit myself, so no real dog in the fight.

 

I give Tyson a lot of credit also which can be lost in translation when carrying out a deep analysis.

I’ve given my comments previously re multiple qualifiers so I won’t repeat them but it’s a fact that no one was able to do to Larry what Tyson did, before or after the fact.

To see Larry put out like that was literally something you had to see before you could ever believe it could happen.

Though Frazier was younger and more active than Larry, the same goes for what Foreman did to Frazier the first time and second time around even though George displayed more reserve in the rematch thus it took a few rounds longer than the first time.

To pull off a victory in a manner that no one else even came close to is something to shout about.

Just imo, Mike’s best punch during the fight was the right hand that dropped Holmes for the first KD.

That punch caught Holmes on the temple.

Had it caught Larry on the chin I think the fight would’ve been over right then and there.

 

I believe after the Tyson-Biggs fight Larry Merchant asked Cayton and Jacobs why they're pitting Tyson against Holmes instead of Spinks. Possibly Jacobs said this bit to sell the fight, where he stated "A poll was taken where many people believed Holmes won the rematch with Spinks so we're taking on Holmes instead", something to that effect.

A genuine passing of the torch.

 

Sounds about right mate.

 

I had no idea this was a completely different thread with the same title from a month or two ago.

Love the avatar. Coming up on the 39th anniversary. Unbelievable mate.

 

We literally just had this discussion a few weeks ago when @MixedMartialLaw posted it.

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/does-tyson-deserve-more-credit-for-his-holmes-fight.751902/

 

My god how old am i hahahahaha. Incredible. Yeah the avatar helped Hopkins remember hahahahah

 

Aw yes, Brother Bernard. It's all coming back to me now, just like Pinhead in Hellbound: Hellraiser II remembering he was human.

 

Just imagine, years ago we had a handful of some of the worst exchanges ever seen in here lol. Oh, i absolutely didn't dob you in to the mods that time you got banned while arguing with me hahaha.

Seeing your name, well I'm soon to have a rare tipple tonight. The last handful of years I've been on call every second or third weekend (mostly every second) and can't have a drop those weeks. It quickly got to where i rarely bother on any week now. Maybe two **** ups a year, one being the Xmas work get together. Drinking so rarely encourages me to indulge in higher priced German beer