I have always felt the same way about this fight. If forced to pick I might go Holmes but I always leave this a draw when I do my h2h picks
I would install Ali as the favorite. Stylistically I think that his hand speed would give him the edge, but there are other reasons. Ali was defending his title against far more qualified challengers, in terms of the ranking of the era, and all of the evidence points to his Ali's being stronger. Holmes might consider it to be a monstrous injustice, that he never received the acclaim that Ali did, but actually there were some more than stellar reasons why!
One variable that might make a difference is who Larry has in his corner with him. Eddie Futch put the game plan together for Nortons upset of Ali. He would have Holmes fainting that jab to Ali's head but then firing to the body with Larry's right hand waiting for Ali each time he pulled his head straight back. Not saying Holmes would win but tactics would be important in this one.
Prime Ali was extremely difficult to hit with a right hand. Left hook a better possibility but Holmes hook was a poor weapon. What you would see here is Holmes attacking with that jab but Ali not giving Holmes an easy target as he moves side to side landing his own jab and in turn disrupting Holmes rhythm. Ali’s right hand would land often. Ali proves to be far quicker than Holmes both of hands and feet.
In a contest with 2 highly skilled heavyweights, arguably both claims for being the best ever..... Ali outboxes and outfoxes Holmes over 15 rounds, taking at least 8-9 rounds in the process.
Prime Muhammad Ali of 1967, would out speed and out box Larry Holmes by unanimous decision, during his title reign from 1964-1967, he defeated his challengers pretty handily, Holmes was decked by the likes of Reynaldo Snipes, and hurt by Shavers, Witherspoon, and Weaver. Prime Ali would not stand still for those guys, no Rope A Dope here, Ali by Unanimous decision.
Prime ALi had more foot and hand speed than prime Holmes that’s where the difference would be, I don’t think it matters who’s in Holmes corner for this one. Why people bring up the Norton fights EVER when talking prime Ali I don’t know, when people realise Ali didn’t fight Norton until his 43rd pro fight after nearly a hundred amateur fights and nearly a four year enforced exile that should tell you how far from prime Ali was for Norton. Just to put it into a bit of perspective Tyson fury, and Anthony Joshua will have to have around another 13-18 fights and training camp wear and tear to get their. Prime Ali by Decision.
I do agree, prime Ali was at his best, no broken jaw here, Norton's style would not bother Ali, Archie Moore had a similar style when Ali fought and knocked him out in round 4, on Nov 15 1962, in Los Angeles. People seem to remember the post exile Ali.
Holmes didn’t lose a fight until he was almost 36 years old and more than 7 consecutive years as champ with around 20 successive defences. Until he got too old, you always had a feeling he would find a way to win. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if he did so against Ali as well.
If Ali had not had four of his best prime years taken away he would have held the title for many years. Four years of inactivity took away the abilities of prime Ali.
Nah, I think Frazier was the best heavyweight in the last years in the 60s and even if Ali hadn’t been stripped of his title, I think Frazier may well have beaten him if they had met between 68 and 70.