Holmes by late TKO If Sanders and Lamon Brewster beat this guy, imagine what a Hall of Famer or one of the greatest fighters of all time in his prime will do to him
That depends I think. Wlad that fought Sanders was perhaps taylor made for Holmes that would straight right hand the **** out of him early. Wlad of today is harder to hit, more cautious, experienced, polished and doesn't have stamina issues I'll go with Wlad UD.
Holmes wouldn't let Wlad dictate the fight with his jab, and would use his movement and own jab to control the pace how he likes. I don't think even Wlads power could bail him out cause we've seen the immense chin and recovery powers Holmes had. Also the fact that Wlad wouldnt be able to pull his usual routine of wearing out fighters with round after round of jabbing. Wlad, for all his height, doesnt even have a reach advantage. Holmes stops him late, maybe after being dropped if Wlad can land a massive right hand. It'd be interesting to see how Wlad would perform under the pressure of being outboxed; he's never lost in that manner.
Wlad has improved a ton since those losses so I don't think that's a good basis on which to opine who would win. It's a toss up for me but I would lean toward Wlad.
I can't back Wlad against a guy with a better jab. I could see it being a fairly boring, strategic affair with Wlad continually trying to establish his jab but always being a step behind. Holmes starts finding a home for the right over the second half of the fight and stops Wlad sometime after the 8th.
Holmes was the man. One of the truly most under rated boxers at HW all time. A great fighter who beat great competition. I think Holmes beating even Ken Norton rates better than any Wlad win ever. I give it to Holmes for sure - UD.
How is Wlad fitter than Holmes? Wlad is the one who has shown significant problems with stamina in the past whereas Holmes could fight 15 rounds at a higher pace.
Holmes, by Tko in 10. Wlad, wouldn't handle Holmes jab at all, and those lead rights of Holmes would trouble Wlad as well. Wlad wouldn't and couldn't hurt Holmes and Holmes would bust him up on his way to a late round Ko.