I'm in the camp that Holmes went from underrated mid reign to a bit overrated at present. Having said that i have him well inside the top 10 and he gets as high as 4 or 5. Joe Louis - I'd favor Joe possibly by stoppage. His right hand counters would be the key. Mike Tyson - Tyson's style was forged toward beating Holmes and the likes of Holmes. I go to and fro on this one at times but i now solidly lean toward Tyson stopping Larry in 8 or less. His style and weaponry is perhaps better geared than anyone's for the task. Larry has too much heart to be content to survive. He'd go balls to the wall in an attempt to win. Muhammad Ali - I'd favor the Ali just before exile to beat Holmes by comfortable decision. Joe Frazier - I'd mildly favor Joe to beat Larry with both possibly hitting the deck at some point. Lennox Lewis - Lewis would be even's or the mildest of favorites here for me. Roughly even's - Foreman, Liston. Live underdogs - Norton, Holyfield, Marciano.
Prime Ali uses his considerable foot speed and handspeed advantage to box around Holmes for a comprehensive UD. Prime Tyson shoots a right hand over Larry's low left to lay him out and then batter him to a tko defeat around the 11th round.
My picks Joe Louis Mike Tyson Lennox Lewis Muhammad Ali Joe Frazier Wladimir Klitschko Possibilities: Marciano, Liston, Foreman, Vitali
A great inside fighter like Tyson or Marciano. Bowe as big as he was, was great on the inside. A great example IMO is the Holmes-Witherspoon fight, especially this round 9. Showcases Larry's weakness(inside fighting) and strength (will power) he wouldn't go down. If Witherspoon had Shavers power, Holmes would weather that, like he did Ernie. Note when Holmes is inside...he tries to extend his jab to create space, when he doesn't have it... This content is protected As far as the Norton fight, since I've read few-- if any times of Holmes crying 'injury', I have no reason to believe he was making excuses when he stated he injured his left arm about two weeks before the fight. Totally healed, he would have beaten Norton a wee-bit easier. Prime Holmes vs Prime Tyson-- He drops Larry like Shavers did, only he has the killer instinct and timing,while Shavers was just a big puncher with a very questionable chin.
My bad, you beat me to it. I give him the benefit of the doubt since he doesn't have a record of making excuses.
He actually came up with quite a few excuses after poor performances. Had a cold, overtrained etc. These are fights he actually won.