John Tate Gerrie Coetzee Greg Page Michael Dokes Pinkton Thomas What do you think, who would win, if Holmes had fought these boxers during his career? Would Holmes beat them all at least prime vs prime?
Last three on your list are close, best chance are Dokes and Thomas. If its the 85 Spinks version, I´ll give those three a nod.
Holmes would defeat them all. Tate-He would trouble Larry a couple good rounds, but just wouldn't be able 2 keep up w/ a mobile Holmes. He would get exhausted, and lose an easy UD, AT LEAST. Holmes might stop him late. Coetzee-Larry would dominate early. Coetzee would pull Larry into a brawl for a few rounds, which he would win, but Coetzee would wear himself out, and Larry would stop him-brutally. Page-Good scrap. Page hangs tough, but just can't box on the level Larry can, and just never was in great shape. Larry UD. Page wins a few rounds. Dokes-Dokes would outslug Larry 4 a while, and pose an interesting threat 2 Larry since I think he could outbox him, based mainly on his better mobility. I don't think Michael would quite make the distance though. Thomas-This is the most dangerous bout 4 Holmes 2 take. He's fighting a tough-as-nails guy who can hit hard, and who will trade an awesome jab w/ Larry's. It will be a very tough fight 4 Larry, but I have confidence he would pull an SD. All good fights, except maybe the Tate fight. Some have the potential 2 be great 80s fights.
An older Holmes may of had trouble with Dokes and Pinky. Michael Dokes would probably always have given Larry a hard time to be honest. He was very quick. Tate? No,
If Holmes fought them on a realistic timeline Page would have been a live underdog and Thomas would have been about 50-50. Best for best he wins all tho some would have the odd moment and Thomas would be stylistically tough with his great jab and chin.
Prime Holmes gets all the W s. Thomas had the best chance of catching Holmes, shame it didn't happen.
Holmes UD Tate Holmes UD Coetzee Holmes UD Dokes If Holmes is forced to fight Page and Thomas instead of abdicating the WBC title after the Witherspoon scare I'd say Holmes W Splitt dec Page and Thomas W UD Holmes Page had the capability of beating Holmes in fall 83 but would most likely fu&k it up. Absolute prime Holmes would beat Thomas
This is pretty much how I see it. The Witherspoon fight was a turning point and Larry would have had some very tough challengers if he hadn't abdicated the WBC title and been forced to fight Kings stable of Page, Thomas, Tubbs and Witherspoon in a rematch.
Spot on. Fair chance he would have lost the title before Spinks that's for sure. They would have been fascinating fights those.