One of Holmes weakness that everyone has failed to mention was lack of offense on a moving target. He usually followed them until they stopped then began to unload. Viewers can see this even in their train wreck of a fight in 1980. This weakness would be his undoing against a prime Ali who was on his toes virtually the entire fight.
All due respect, that doesn't mean ****. Ali and Liston had two of the best chins in heavyweight history, as did Ali and Foreman, Foreman and Frazier, Tyson and Holmes, Holyfield and Tyson, etc. See where I'm going with this?
The difference is that all of them were either past prime or against huge punchers and a couple were of both. Ali and Holmes would never quit or take a dive like Liston
They all still had their chins. And Foreman was at his peak when he lost to Ali. My point is just because two men both have iron chins doesn't mean they go the distance.
All correct Swag , still don't see either man being stopped .Ali was never really kod as such while Holmes was once against a prime MT .ur right , anyone can be stopped but it would be a shocker if it happened . Just my opp pal .
I'm apparently in the minority thinking Ali stops Holmes. On second thought, the most likely version of Ali to score a KO over Holmes would be FOTC Ali.
Ali doubles up on his right hands via pull counters and decks Holmes. Holmes is vulnerable to right hands. Ali boxes from the outside and dances his win to a UD15.
Muhammad Ali in his prime years,1964-1967, beats Larry Holmes, by a stoppage late in the fight, round 14. A fleet footed opponent, with super fast hand speed, catlike reflexes, and with a corner, comprised of Angelo Dundee would spell defeat for a flat footed adversary with a rather stiff left jab. Larry would have his moments, because Ali at this stage, was not really a power punching fighter, who also was a master at psychological warfare. Holmes did not equal the attributes that Ali possessed, at this point in his career. Holmes corner prevents their fighter from answering the bell for the 14th. Exhaustion is the main reason for the stoppage, as well as a heavily swollen left eye. Both could take a punch, rather than people like modern day fighters, like Lennox Lewis, who was kayoed twice in losing his titles. Larry Holmes once said that he was proud of the black eye that Ali gave him in a sparring session, while Ali was preparing to fight George Foreman. Both fighters had a lot of heart, both had class.
Holmes jab was never faster or even as fast as Ali's. Muhammad's jab was quicker up through probably bout '75. Anytime after that Larry had an edge.
No way did it have as much pop. On more than one occasion Holmes walked people down with his jab and used it to "mug" them, as he put it. Ali had more of a snappy, flicking jab whereas Holmes had a snap your head back or stop you in your tracks jab. Ali had a great jab, but to say it had more power is absurd.
Ali by UD,, in his prime Ali is going to hit Holmes with straight right hands and at the fights end Holmes has swelling under both eyes. Larry never did move his head a lot .
Holmes jab was harder , But not as fast. Holmes probably had the better overall jab. But it wasn't that much better than Ali's as some on this site would lead you to believe. Ali was better in all other aspects of boxing. Ali fought and stopped better opposition Prime vs prime. This fight would be won and loss in the difference of Foot speed and lateral movement. I see Ali being able to avoid Holmes jab for the most part ( Ali did fight fighters who had quick jabs in Ellis, Terrell, Mathis, And Patterson) and they were not successful with using it against him. I really don't believe Holmes jab would be that big of a difference against Ali though of course Holmes jab was better than all the fighters I listed. Ali's lead right hand though would be a MAJOR threat to Holmes. Think about the multiple times Holmes was dropped or hurt badly. It was usually over or around his left jab with a hooking right hand. Ali's right hand was like a laser beam either behind his jab or lead. Ali also had a underrated left hook . Holmes left hook wasn't a real threat( another reason he wouldn't beat prime Ali) Ali would beat Holmes comfortably though Holmes would have his moments. Ali by unanimous dec.
