Is there some other Larry Holmes that I don't know about? Because I am reading stuff in this thread that can't possibly apply to the Easton Assassin.
Yep, Wlad got kd 3 times, didnt get up.... Oh, wait. I thought he won??atsch TOS fight, got up and won. Dumb post
Larry was much more fluent in his style, quicker and better on his feet, smarter, much more versatile boxer, much better chin etc. Todays wlad is a boring over-catious 1-2 combination puncher, he is good at was he does though, and that's one reason why he has succes.
The Larry Holmes that fought butterbean was better than Wlad. As for the TOS fight it ended in a technical decision and Tos didn't knock Wlad on his ass either he went to his knees.
Holmes had much better footwork. He was also quicker, in my opinion. He didn't hit nearly as hard, but he put combination together better than Wlad.
Other then a good jab (which Holmes' was faster) I dont think they fight that much like each other. Larry had more head movement, and threw a bigger variaty of punches. Wlad is more careful, and throws less power shots.
Wlad is much more than just "huge". He has great ability too, even though it's not always pretty. If younlook at his punch technique, there isn't a long list of heavyweights who threw better shots than Wlad does. Defensively, he can be plain ugly but it is effective, that's for sure. He rarely gets hit flush. The problem is, some of the guys he's facing are too outclassed. We need to see Wlad against someone with great power, punching ability, speed or defence to judge him properly. It's fine looking great afaingst easy opponents - Kelly Pavlik was very comparable to Wlad at one point, but Klitschko needs quality opposition. A Joe Frazier, Max Schmeling or Gene Tunney. Someone to really gauge his ability. Right now, that man doesn't exist. Not even Haye because if Klitschko wins, he'll stop him and it will go down as a victory over a weak chinned opponent. So right now it's hard to say. I think Wlad is a tremendous heavyweight who would be quality opponents. That, however, is just hypothetical and legacies can't be built around such arguments.
Holmes had a power left jab just like Wlad has. He would back his man up with it and then nail him with powerful right hands. Noone is strong enough to back Wlad up to the ropes. Peter is a bull of a man and they seemed about equal in the strength department. Wlad's enormous physical strength is his best asset along with two-fisted power. Very difficult to bully and push around such a fighter.
I meant that Holmes had fast jab always at opponents face, he wasn't always throwing it with bad intentions, he was poping it to keep his rival outside, set up combos, measure his rival and defend. Wlad's jab often is thrown with a lot of power or he keeps his left arm straight wit no flicking like Holmes. I rate Holmes jab as best ever at HW even better than Liston's. Ok keyboard warrior.