Larry Holmes vs. George Foreman. Who would have won?

WHAT IF Larry Holmes had fought George Foreman? Who would have won? I was reading Ciani's article a few days ago (I apologize that I don't recall the article's title on ESB) where he interviews Emanuel Steward. Steward states that it was unfortunate that Holmes came between two charismatic boxers in boxing history. Holmes was preceded by Muhammad Ali and succeeded by Mike Tyson. Because Holmes' reign was between these two charismatic figures, his fame as a great heavyweight boxer was never fully appreciated by most boxing fans. But how great was he, and how would he have faired against George Foreman, another charismatic figure among the heavyweights, and a fighter that Larry Holmes could have fought, but for some reason unknown to me never happened. Does anyone know why they never fought, they were contemporaries with one another, and in fact Foreman made a comeback with his career, and outlasted Holme's career even though Foreman started his career a few years earlier? Please vote on the poll. :good

 

Damn. Larry 4-0-1.


I voted for Larry, but expected Foreman to be winning this poll.

 

I'd take Larry over old or young George. Holmes was far more skilled, a lot faster, and one tough son of a *****. He takes a clear UD in my opinion.

 

Very tough one to call as Holmes was extremely talented, however, I feel that George in his destructive younger days would pressure Holmes and rip those hard uppercuts and hooks relentlessly. I kidnve envision Ali v foreman but i dont think holmes has quite the seam finesse and psyche as Ali, and im not so sure many other heavyweights would have been able to take the shots Ali took. He was getting pounded but he knew he he took them and waited for foreman to gas he would have him, most fighters dont have that confidence in themsleves as ali did and that was the key to his win.

 

I'm surprised Larry Holmes is dominating this poll. I actually thought Foreman would be winning considering how hard he hits, his size and cross arm defense, and the fact that he fought so well against a variety of boxers.

 

A prime Foreman mops the floor with a prime Holmes.

 

45 year old Foreman wins his second HW Championship. Holmes didn't stand a chance at 38. Foreman knocks Holmes out......This fight can still happen ya know :!: :bbb

 

Can you imagine Holmes winning the HW Championship at age 45? Neither can I.
Foreman whups his arse.

 

I think a prime Foreman would go thru a prime Holmes just like he went thru Frazier, Norton and the rest of the division. Holmes is being seriously overrated here. He was only 36, not that old for a heavyweight, when he lost that controversial decision v. Spinks, and Spinks is a fighter that a great HW should just tear right through. He went life and death with Ken Norton, and I think overall Norton and Holmes occupy about the same talent level. Holmes is very, very good. Maybe great, but imho the truly ferocious great heavyweights wouldn't have had much problem with him in their prime, and I count George among that number along with Ali, Tyson, Liston and a few others.

 

Holmes would have definitely dislocated his shoulder in round 2 only to quit.

 

Um, he almost did it against McCall and he looked much more competitive vs. Holyfield than Foreman.

 

That type of logic never works out in reality. You can't say fighter A beats fighter B because fighter A looked better against a common opponent.

 

Holmes wins this one in my opinion, I don't think Foreman could KO him and that in my eyes is Foreman's only shot at winning this.

I see Foreman attacking early as he always did but Holmes meets him and introduces him to his strong jab and his right cross.

Holmes could move pretty well on his feet in his prime so if he needs to box Foreman a distance either to regain himself after being hurt or just to change the pace of the fight then he could do that also..

I see Holmes winning a decision here, Foreman would make it interesting early but he would be outclassed by a better fighter.

 

How can many of you dismiss the holmes jab?? it was an awesome weapon back in the day! he would pepper Foreman with that as Foreman tries to close the distance. Foreman tries to rough up Holmes and make it more physical but Holmes was pretty slick and a decent operator, I see him taking a UD with maybe a few scares along the way.

Foreman's best chance of victory will be by KO within the first 6 rounds, but he will tire eating jabs and chasing Holmes and will not the have the power late on to get Larry out of there.