Larry Holmes is An Absolute Monster H2H... Still Underrated.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by George Crowcroft, Dec 5, 2019.



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  1. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Like really, I know it should go without saying that he's a monster, but I can't name 3 HWs who I confidently pick over him.
    That is the highest echelon of the HW Division. Just run through the match ups with the standard rules. People who I see listed as the top H2H HWs.

    Rocky Marciano
    Jack Dempsey
    Jack Johnson
    Vitali Klitschko
    Wladimir Klitschko
    Evander Holyfield
    Sonny Liston
    Mike Tyson
    Riddick Bowe
    Lennox Lewis
    Joe Frazier
    Joe Louis
    George Foreman
    Muhammad Ali

    Of that 14, I pick Holmes over 11, with Ali and Frazier being my picks to beat him and a 50-50 with Lennox Lewis.
    That is top 3 HW stuff.

    Now this thread does actually have a point other than me kissing ass, basically, I wanna see your opinions on these match ups.

    I'll of course give mine on how they go as well.

    (Edit: added Tyson and Liston after a massive oversight on my part).
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2019
    George Crowcroft, Dec 5, 2019
    George Crowcroft, Dec 5, 2019
    #1
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  2. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member Full Member

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    Liston needs to be on there.
     
    JohnThomas1, Dec 5, 2019
    JohnThomas1, Dec 5, 2019
    #2
    George Crowcroft likes this.
  3. Tramell

    Tramell Hypocrites Love to Pray & Be Seen. Mathew 6:5 Full Member

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    Rematch wit Witherspoon anyone?;)
     
    Tramell, Dec 5, 2019
    Tramell, Dec 5, 2019
    #3
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  4. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Tyson needs to be on there.
     
    JackSilver, Dec 5, 2019
    JackSilver, Dec 5, 2019
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  5. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    **** good call, musta forgot. I pick Holmes over him as well though
     
    George Crowcroft, Dec 5, 2019
    George Crowcroft, Dec 5, 2019
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  6. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I don't think Witherspoon was ever in shape like that again, and no half assed version of Spoon is troubling even an aging Holmes.
     
    George Crowcroft, Dec 5, 2019
    George Crowcroft, Dec 5, 2019
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  7. Tramell

    Tramell Hypocrites Love to Pray & Be Seen. Mathew 6:5 Full Member

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    For a mythical discussion he doesn't have to be in anything other than the shape he was in first time out.
     
    Tramell, Dec 5, 2019
    Tramell, Dec 5, 2019
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  8. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    I'm at work at the moment but I'm itching to have a good think about this thread, George. I'll chip in later.
     
    Fergy, Dec 5, 2019
    Fergy, Dec 5, 2019
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  9. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    Agreed. I continue to maintain that if the top 25 All Time HW's had a Round Robin, each man at his peak for each match-up, that Holmes has a great chance of emerging with the greatest record of the bunch.
     
    Rumsfeld, Dec 5, 2019
    Rumsfeld, Dec 5, 2019
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  10. Tramell

    Tramell Hypocrites Love to Pray & Be Seen. Mathew 6:5 Full Member

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    Oops, didn't respond to the thread! Any of these can beat him, but I wouldn't be surprised if he won.

    Great fighter, but outside of Norton, not sure what his best win was. Cooney never did anything after his loss, and Williams & Wither both being 15 & 16 fights young make me think all those on this list wouldhave given him trouble, if guys with records less than 18 fights did.

    Wouldn't be surprised if he lost to most on the list, it would NOT be him getting exposed, just losing to a tougher tier. But I wouldn't argue that he can't beat any on this list.

    Again its tough for me because I am not sure what his best win was in terms of our usual criteria (how many HOFers did he beat, did he beat young lions who went on the become HOFers or ATG outside of an aged Ali & a 1trick pony in Shavers.
     
    Tramell, Dec 5, 2019
    Tramell, Dec 5, 2019
    #10
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  11. The Morlocks

    The Morlocks Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Great and true post! I had Larry winning 9 rds that night. Even the ninth when big, bad Tim hurt Larry with the hook, Larry completely shut down Tim's dime size heart with a right hand and then won the rest of the round.
     
    The Morlocks, Dec 5, 2019
    The Morlocks, Dec 5, 2019
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  12. The Morlocks

    The Morlocks Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Best ever on a single night:
    NO ORDER:
    Jeffries
    Johnson
    Dempsey
    Tunney
    Louis
    Marciano
    Liston
    Clay
    Frazier
    Holmes
    Lewis.
    I dont count current guys.
     
    The Morlocks, Dec 5, 2019
    The Morlocks, Dec 5, 2019
    #12
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  13. Tramell

    Tramell Hypocrites Love to Pray & Be Seen. Mathew 6:5 Full Member

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    Wild fight, Witherspoon threw it all, and Larry still chewed it up like a tender steak. You & @George Crowcroft picked a guy that is hard to pick against! I tried...but after reading my piece on this....well too late to delete!!
     
    Tramell, Dec 5, 2019
    Tramell, Dec 5, 2019
    #13
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  14. The Undefeated Lachbuster

    The Undefeated Lachbuster I check this every now and then Full Member

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    Larry Holmes be like doesn't fight Pinklon Thomas

    I favor Ali, Marciano, and Frazier over him. I'm 50/50 with him vs Foreman, Louis, Dempsey (under a no TKOs fight) and Lewis. The rest he beats thoroughly imo.
     
    The Undefeated Lachbuster, Dec 5, 2019
    The Undefeated Lachbuster, Dec 5, 2019
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  15. Blaxx

    Blaxx Member Full Member

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    I favor Ali and Louis over him on each of their best nights. I believe Holmes beats everyone else one way or another with his toughest nights coming against Liston and Tyson.
     
    Blaxx, Dec 5, 2019
    Blaxx, Dec 5, 2019
    #15
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