...would he have been ranked in the top 3 heavyweights in the history of the prestige division? ...and if he had continued and beaten Holmes in 1979/1980, would he then have been ranked number 1?! Imagine.
If he had have, by some miracle, beaten Ali, then imo he doesn't remain champ even a few more years. His life style catches up with him, he cuts back on training, starts believing he only has to look at a opponent and they fall down, and loses a top contender of the day not called Frazier or Norton!
Holmes is very debatable. Very very debatable. This content is protected Foreman could easily keep him down
No Critics would have said Ali was 33 years old and had been whipped a couple of times. It would have been a notable win but he wouldnt get that much out of it. Frazier beat a better version of Ali in 71 after a tearing through the division for about 4-5 years. Had Joe retired right after he wouldnt of been close to #1. Foreman was a terror in the ring but not deep enough resume.
Holmes had more speed, skill and stamina though. Foreman got outboxed by Jimmy Young. Holmes is a better all round boxer than '74 Ali and Jimmy Young. Foreman might be able to hurt but Holmes had immense heart and powers of recovery. Foreman can be hurt himself and is also a bit of a front runner. If he doesn't KO Holmes in the first 6 rounds Foreman is going to start slowing down. Holmes also wanted a fight with Foreman in the 90s and Foreman didn't fancy it. He also retired when he could of tried to challenge Holmes for his titles.
Snipes was faster, had better stamina than Foreman and they fought nothing alike. Snipes didn't give Holmes any distance or rest periods. Snipes landed a quick right behind a jab, essentially "blinding" Holmes with the jab before landing the right. Foreman's punches were easier to see and slower.
Yes, snipes was a speed demon, he had marciano stamina and his punches were unstoppable. Snipes was a piece of crap next to Foreman son. In every single department stop talking nonsenses. Shavers was special also and landed the jab first too This content is protected
The prime George Foreman (72-74) had decent handspeed, footwork, stamina, and the mindset. This all declined 74-77 because of mentally problems after the Ali fight and also because of extra weight. Maybe he could beat Ali 74 in a more "comfortable" environment. Less hostile crowd, less heat, less flexible ropes^^ ...whatever. So if...and if he take's training serios he also can beat LH in his prime (78-80). Why not? A 74 Ali and prime Larry are more or less comparable (style, size, chin, stamina etc) and equally strong.
Both were faster than Foreman. Also Foreman doesn't have an overhand right, which is the punch Holmes gets caught by.
I love Holmes. He is my 5th favorite fighter but I'd have to favor Foreman. Holmes would get caught at some point and his recuperative abilities, good as they are wouldn't be enough to save him. Speaking of said recuperative abilities, he had to use them way to often for my liking. Shavers was one of if not the hardest punchers of all time, but let's not pretend he was some skilled prizefighter. He shouldn't have caught Holmes in the first place. If Shavers could catch him, I have no doubt Foreman could. Difference is, Foreman wouldn't miss nearly every punch in the follow up.
Snipes had had 22 fights with only 11 stoppages against nobodies. You’re right they fought nothing alike because Foreman was a brutal, immensely strong, world class, two fisted puncher and Snipes was a modest punching, mid level boxer who still nearly knocked Holmes out. I don’t know who wins Foreman-Holmes (especially in the scenario in the op) but Snipes is not in anyway comparable to the threat Foreman posed. Larry couldn’t afford any lapses like he did against Snipes,Weaver, or Shavers or he’s toast imo.
He would've ruled until he met Holmes and lost via complacency on points. He would've definitely kayoed Jimmy young had he not lost to Ali.
