20-Bout Run (Ali vs Holmes Comparison)

This is a 20-bout comparison, starting with their 5-bouts before winning the title, and the next 15 bouts.

Clearly in a Billy Daniels versus Roy Williams, The 'Tiger' is by far a more
dangerous heavyweight opponent.

 

Alejandro Lavorante
25 year-old, 6 ' 3" 208 lb. Argentinian Heavyweight
A tall hard-punching bomber.
17-3 0 (15 KO's)

Had numerous impressive victories entering the fight with Cassius Clay,
vs. Von Clay
vs. Alonzo Johnson
vs. Willi Besmanoff
vs. Zora Folley
vs. Jose Giorgetti
vs. Rey Lopez

Got rated as high as #3, following his victory over Willi Besmanoff.

Had suffered a brutal knock-out loss to 'The Mongoose' prior to the Cassius Clay bout.
Though a good fighter and solid puncher, questions about his condition after the
knock-out loss surfaced.

Was battered throughout by the young Cassius Clay, who finally stopped the game fighter in the 5th round.
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Tom Prater
27 year-old, 6' 1" 208 lbs. Indiana Heavyweight
A tough durable fighter, who could be rated #25.
17-3-1 (8 KO's)

On a roll, and undefeated in his last 10-bouts. Was busy, with 6 fights in 1976, prior
to fighting Laryy Holmes, in the ill-fated USBA Boxing Championships on ABC-TV.
Had upset 6 straight fighters in a row.
Was looking to make Larry Holmes, Number 7.
vs. Mongo Ortiz
vs. Al Jones
vs. Randy Stephens
vs. Lou Esa
vs. Jody Ballard
vs. Charlie Johnson

Was a confident fighter in late-1976, as was considered the 'Underdog to Watch' in
the USBA Tournament.

Gave Larry Holmes all he wanted, and more. Was the more aggressive fighter, and
shook Holmes a few times.
Larry won a close unanimous decision, in a hard fought 8 Round battle.

Alejandro Lavorante vs Tom Prater
At the time both of these fighters fought Cassius Clay and Larry Holmes, I think
Tom Prater may have been the better all-around fighter. Physically stronger, and
an ability to take a better punch, as well as a better defensive fighter.
Lavorante, clearly a better puncher, but his defensive liability would have been a
problem.

 

1962
Archie Moore on Alejandro Lavorante

After watching Lavorante knock-out Von Clay.
'Give me this kid for 1-year. After 12-months of conditioning and leg excercises,
this kid will be the next Heavyweight Champion of the World.'

'Next year, he will give Patterson and Liston fits. I boxed 'two' rounds with this kid,
and believe me, he can hit. He just needs conditioning, and leg strength.'

 

Lets see,,,,,,,,,,
Archie Moore and Horace Robinson are fairly close in overall achievements.

When facing Cassius Clay

The Mongoose was 45+ years of age.
5' 11" and 191 lbs.
184-23-10 (130 KO's)
#7 Ranked Heavyweight
Archie was old and tired...

Horace 'Big City' Robinson
25 year of age.
6' 2" and 217 lbs.
5-2-0 (2 KO's)
Horace was big and spry!!!

Robinson was Atlanta's #3 Rated Heavyweight.
And he was coming off 'two' impressive upset wins.
W Dec 10,,,Jerry Thompkins (7-2-0)
W KO 1,,,,Ricky Wynn (15-1-0)

The win over Ricky Wynn was a major upset, as Wynn was considered a can't miss prospect.

 

Definitely agree,,,,,,,,but I also think Larry Holmes would have the tools
to battle both Sonny Liston (1964 and 1965) and Floyd Patterson
(1965 and 1972) pretty good too.

Both ATG's had remarkable runs.

As a note, the 1964 Sonny Liston was age 36, and the 1978 Ken Norton
was younger than Sonny, and in better physical condition.

 

1) Sonny Liston was born in 1928 (FACT).

2) Just who else could Larry Holmes fought in that run.

3) You're the TROLL, I started this post.

4) Are you done doing Ali's laundry yet, because after you're done,
you can start folding the sheets,,,,,Mr. Houseboy.

BOKAJ = ALI's HOUSEBOY