Larry Holmes... Where does he rank?

It looks like we've both got it the same way, mate. He's my #3 HW, he's even in my top 50 all-time p4p list and H2H I give him a very high rating. What can you say about a guy with respectable power, high ring IQ, terrific durability, speed, footwork...If his personality were better, he would get more of the respect he deserves. ...He also kicked and punched Trevor Berbick, so, ...high marks there.

 

I dont know about unifying a title being irrelevent in Holmes day as that suggests that it was the done thing and no big deal when larry came on the scene. Ok there was the brief stage back in the mid 60s with terrell holding a version, but it mainly started heavyweight-wise with Holmes title shot and although i think very very highly of Holmes (top 5 IMO) i think it takes something away from him that all the elite guys have achieved. I suppose we can all nitpick when it comes to guys not unifying titles i.e. a guy jumping up through the weights and winning multiple titles without unifying. But all the ATG heavyweights for the vast majority of the part or at some stage, were undisputed and i blame the fact that Holmes didnt do it directly at his front door. If he had achieved this he would be vying with Louis and Ali for #1 IMO

 

2nd Best Ever. In his prime he was electric.

 

Holmes proved his greatness in the fifteenth round against Norton and maintained a championship career for seven a half years.

Slating the man makes you look like a dick and your sarcasm is cringe worthy.

 

I think you're being a bit harsh on Holmes but point noted.
BTW-did he really beat Williams? :think

 

If we are all so dumb why do you bother talking with everyone?

 

Oh.

 

Top 30 pfp??

Now your smoking something.

 

Name all the guys that can claim a title reign going that many defenses or more.

 

In sports, there's a fine line between winning and losing. Holmes remained a WINNER for a very long time. He certainly deserves credit for that.
He cannot control the fact during his career he only had bums to fight.
Holmes was a 'great' champion...he displayed the kind of heart guys like Tyson never had, and displayed a dedication and devotion Bowe never had. Holmes got off the canvas to win all his fights. Lewis got knocked out.
That said...if you put them all in a time machine for a one and out boxing tourney, Holmes doesn't get deep into it.

 

I was watching it with a bunch of guys at work, and all of us felt that Holmes deserved the decision before it was announced. Granted, that isn't the same as watching it live from ringside, but it was striking to me that several who were rooting against Holmes agreed that Larry had nicked it. (The first really controversial decision everybody at my place of employment loudly bitched about was the rematch with Michael Spinks. Witherspoon and Williams were widely accepted.)

 

Here's where your wrong. Holmes had the mental strength to keep his act together over time. How long did Bowe hold it together? I see one fight against Holyfield. Foreman is the most over rated of all. He defeates a Frazier and a Norton, two terrific fighters that were tailored for him and he's an all time great ? I can name ten fighters who I feel easily defeat the physically prime Foreman based on styles. Tyson self destructed in two years.Holyfield was a terrific fighter but had highs and lows most likely caused by steriod cycling ... the only fighter you mentioned who I believe had the mental toughness and talent was Lewis.

 

When Wlad got knockdown, he got up. Always. Sanders didnt ko Wlad, the ref stop it.

Brewster drop Wlad after the bell imo, and the ref was hasty in stopping that one also.

 

I honestly think your doing this for kicks and it's almost a bit funny. Who other than Foreman do yu rate highly ? Who are your top ten heavyweights?

 

he avoided foreman in 1978? i thought foreman had retired the year before