Larry Holmes vs. Wladimir Klitschko.

This is a perfect example of the kind of crap we're having to deal with. Glover would also tell you that Lewis' victory over Tyson was a quality win, and that Klitschko & Lewis are the GOATs lol.

 

There.

 

Larry is one of those guys who, if there's a way to win he does it. Wlad, less so.

 

Geezus lol! atsch

 

Ali fought Lyle a whopping 5 years prior to fighting Holmes, so I don't know why you include that fight here, and Ali lost three out of his last five fights...to Spinks, Holmes and Berbick.
Clearly he was on the slide in a big way. And how was he tougher? The man was suffering from early stages of Parkinson's...tougher? He had nothing on his punches, very slow reflexes and was living off his incredible aura...that's about it.

Tyson was still a dangerous fighter early on, but again he lost three of his last four fights, and two of those losses came against guys he would have used as a floor mop in his prime.
The added bulk did not aid his effort in the slightest. Tyson was at his best in the 215-220 range. Coming in at a overly heavy 233 (I think it was) confirms to me that Tyson was looking to end things early, and knew that beyond 3-4 rounds he stood no chance.
The added weight did absolutely nothing to help his already suspect stamina.

And the age thing...consider that Tyson was undisputed champion when Lewis was still an amateur. He was younger than Lewis, but he had a lot more mileage on his clock.
Lewis' size and boxing style enabled him to be effective at an advanced age. By contrast, Tyson had a young man's style and the things that made him devastating in his prime were largely gone.

But even so, at least Tyson did pose a threat, but Ali? C'mon man, he was totally done.

 

Clay was done after '76 imo. Tyson was done post-prison (but if you wanna get technical imo he was gone by 1990), and definitely any vestige of him that had even potentially remained was gone by '96. He posed no real threat to Lewis when they fought imo. That's why Lewis fought him at that time. If they had fought even in 95 or 96, i think Tyson would've taken him.

 

Still doing excellent work is see FoF.

I totally agree too. There's no way Wlad is getting Holmes out of there imo. As you say, Holmes will indeed get his licks in too. His will to win and determination were incredible, and he had no drama going to hell and back to get home. It would be awkward for Larry the whole time, but he'd take enough risks to land some solid right hands therefore checking Wlad's progress.

Holmes was a great finisher, and we know Wlad's chin can be tested if you can somehow get to it. I can't see Holmes letting him off the hook if he staggers him. If Larry can't get to him sufficiently it would be a close decision i think. I wouldn't be surprised if he took him out tho.

 

Guys, Larry Holmes would chop him to pieces ... Holmes had speed, skill, toughness and matched him in reach ... a more talented and better fighter ....