If Larry Holmes replaces Jimmy Young and defeats Foreman

I don't think so. Not based on that victory alone since Foreman had already had his cloak of invicibility removed by Ali in Zaire.

 

I have Ali first, and Louis second, in my all time standings at heavyweight. Holmes is number 4 on my list.

I may have the balls to put Holmes at #2, if that fight happened as you wrote.

 

He would rate top 3 easily.....

And arguments can be made for the greatest.

And despite not having Frazier on his resume- I sincerly believe he would have beaten Frazier over 15.

 

No, but it definately would have added a nice notch to his credentials, and probably elevated him from the grouping of Frazier, Tyson, Lewis, to Ali, Marciano and Louis.

 

Definitely could move Holmes IF he fought Foreman at that time. Even more so if he managed to beat an undefeated Foreman instead of Ali doing it. After the loss to Ali, Foreman was no longer looked at as this unbeatable juggernaut in the division. Foreman's battle with Ron Lyle in which both men were down five times also showed that he could be put down. I just don't think it brings Larry up to contention for number one overall with that name alone on his credentials.

 

I'm gonna say no. Larry never gets the respect he deserves and if he had beaten him at this point, most people would be saying Ali softened him up for him. Holmes came at a bad time and was immediately named an Ali gimmick and I don't think there's a thing he could have done differently to change that. On my own list I'd probably put him above Marciano at #3.

 

The win over Ali wouldn't be any more impressive. The man was a walking corpse.

Anyway, Holmes was a large hole in Foreman's resume considering their careers paths crossed as they did, and vice versa.

 

I read Holmes' autobiography.He was offered the fight,but felt that he wasn't ready for Big George,then.I think Dino Dennis fought Foreman instead.

 

I wouldn't say #1, but it may elevate him to the top3 with Ali and Louis, who at this point are a step above the rest.

 

It would have elevated his status had the fight took place but Foreman may be a tough fight for Holmes because George did have thudding right hand power. Young had more of a defensive style ( but zero power)...Ali let Foreman shoot his wad( Ali said those big roundhouse shot,slow and telegraphing as they were would sap Foreman after a few rounds) Larry got hit with right hands....He had movement and a jab and a decent right hand but Larry was open to the right hand and avoided a lot of good right hand punchers for what ever reason (Coetzee,Page,Dokes, not to mention fighters he did fight and gave him trouble with the right Weaver and Witherspoon....I can see the right hand of Foreman being at least as powerfull as Shavers and Snipes and Foreman had a left as well.....Larry could take this fight if he fought the perfect fight but a good right hand puncher always has a chance vs Holmes

 

He would have to beat Ali before 1975 to be #1

 

Which is exactly why he was completely shot as a fighter.