I don't think you can use the Young fight to analyze how a prime Foreman vs Holmes would've been as the mentally ****ed, dehydrated, George was a far cry from the Foreman from 3-4 years earlier. Not to mention, they fought nothing alike.
That's what I was thinking....although, Holmes had difficulty with Weaver and Foreman was much better than Weaver, even old Foreman may have been better than prime Weaver. I think 42 year old Foreman who fought Holyfield may have poleaxed prime Weaver who fought Holmes.
Holmes had a TERRIBLE cold fighting Weaver. Look at how much he sweats during the fight (he sweated so much his shorts kept falling off). Even more telling, listen to how hoarse his voice was in the post-fight interview. Besides, he ended up knocking Mike silly. Foreman would have been rocked by that uppercut too, though I think George would have had more problems with Larry's overhand right (not to mention the jab). That said, Mike Weaver was an inspiration during that fight. He really wanted to win and it showed a LOT. He really believed in himself. I should mention, prime George couldn't have bullied Larry, either. Larry could be quite the intimidator himself.
With Frazier it would be interesting to see how Holmes is able to deal with not only the pressure of Frazier 3 minutes a round but the body punishment. It adds up over the course of a 15 round bout. Ali was almost inhuman the way he could absorb those punches and still have something late to offer. Larry may have a good sound plan to defende the lefthook to the head. Ask him in the 6th or 7th round when his liver feels like it may fall out how to defend the hook to the head. It would really be a classic fight boxer vs pressure fighter. I dont see Holmes being able to put anymore on Joe than Ali did in 71. Frazier was a demon that night.
I’m with the majority, I always thought that Larry would have beaten Foreman but Frazier is another matter entirely. Great boxers tend to eat up slow, power punching stalkers. Larry only feed one genuine swarmer in Tyson and he was mangled. Of course I realise it was an inactive, way past his best Holmes but compare the Tyson fight to the Holyfield and Mercer fights. FOTC Frazier on points in a great battle. Cheers All.
Very easy to envision Frazier outpointing or stopping Holmes. Holmes Foreman is a 50/50 fight for me although I would have to favor holmes slightly