Larry Holmes decision to fight Mike Tyson.

I feel Larry was a very faded force by the time he fought Tyson and wasn`t much better when he beat Mercer in `91, how does anyone feel Larry would have done in tis tournament thread that I`ve pasted here?
https://www.boxingforum24.com/threa...ight-tournament-fantasy.615733/#post-19432440

 

Oh sorry, I didn`t know you meant power, I thought you meant the ability to land the counter. Against Shavers all you had to do to beat him was be defensively responsible after you punched.

 

no it was my bad, sometimes I am too brief for clarity.

 

He saw a little 215 lb. short guy and figured he could get his jab working, but I think he underestimated Mike's defense, relentlessness and speed.

 

I disagree, based on the often told story by him that when Don King offered him a fight and he asked with whom King said Tyson. Larry responded “I can’t beatMike Tyson!” Don King offered $3 million and Larry asked “Where is Mike Tyson ?”

 

I'm not saying he was offering a credible retrospective, but I remember Holmes claiming that he was getting a rhythm against Tyson right before getting knocked out in his autobiography. So I guess part of him was just in denial about his chances, even after losing.

 

Foreman called out contenders and most of then didn't want to fight him. Second Larry Holmes wanted the money. He knew if he took a tune up fight and lost the Tyson pay day would be gone. Fighting a 15 exhibition isn't the same thing as being in a actual fight. Larry wasn't in great shape and was away from the ring for almost 2 years. A in shape Holmes would of did better and at least lasted longer.

 

but with Larry he was so relaxed and so experienced, you never thought much about that since it was not about being all muscled with him it was about using experience and landing his jab. If a younger fighter were in the shape Larry was in, I would be worried. Later Hearns was a little soft, but by that point he was so experienced it didn't matter. He would just sit back and pick his shots. The experience takes away from the need to be in total shape as stupid as it sounds.

 

Hearns was far better and younger than Larry when he beat Virgil Hill and his body was nowhere near as fleshy as Larry`s, it effected his speed.

 

at least getting stopped by tyson made him react and really get his azz in gear to extend his career albeit at lower level later.

 

Foreman never called out contenders. He called out Mike Tyson. Every contender wanted a piece of Foreman but Foreman wanted a shot at the title.

I disagree with this entire post.

 

Foreman called out Alex Garcia who was ranked in the top 10 when Foreman called him out. Foreman called out Lennox Lewis after George fought Pierre Coetzer. Foreman called out Riddick Bowe and Bowe even agreed to fight Foreman and then backed out. Then you realized Foreman fought contenders like Tommy Morrison, Alex Stewart. Pierre Coetzer. Nice try casual boxing fan. The only people who called out Foreman called out George because they wanted a pay day. For example Tim Witherspoon called out Tyson, Lewis, Holyfield and Bowe. I guess you are going to say each of these fighters duck Tim right? It is like you frequently see fighters calling out Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury because they want they pay check.

 

sometimes I have seen older fighters, more Hearns when he fought Nate Miller in England he was 40 I think, he was very fleshy and I realize older fighters like Larry or Hearns almost cannot be muscled because it takes too much energy out of them. It is rare to see a muscled older fighter.. But yeah I see your point. Against Virgil he stilled looked ok.

 

Alex Garcia sucked. But you're right. I forgot about that. Too bad Iron Mike Dixon got to Garcia's chin first. And of course everyone called out Foreman for the payday because he was slow and plodding and not even close to his 70's form.

The rest of your post is complete garbage. Do away with it.