In 1980, Gassiev moves up to heavyweight to snatch the heavyweight championship from Holmes. Gassiev comes in at 200 pounds. Does Gassiev make Holmes run out of gas?
Holmes tattoos his face with the jab as Gassiev walks forward with the earmuffs in, clueless as how to get in, every time he steps into range, he gets lit up with uppercuts and hook round the guard. Holmes likely stops him after handing Gassiev a beating.
Holmes beats the ever living crap outta Gassiev. Gassiev was an excellent cruiser, but there isnt a single heavyweight great I'd favor him over.
Gassiev has a great left hook. He is also terrible at cutting off the ring. Holmes by an easy and comfortable decision.
I think in 1980 ( and any time before ) Gassiev would already be fighting at heavyweight. And Holmes would be in his prime. Larry wins by TKO
Gassiev would at least go the distance. He has one hell of a chin and Holmes isn't really a huge puncher. But yeah, Gassiev gets badly outboxed.
Gassiev does not have Witherspoon's tricky cross armed defense, or the footwork and jab that Tim did. Gassiev is talented but also limited. He isn't a great jabber. He is clueless at cutting off the ring.