Most likely To Defeat Prime Holmes? Foreman Or Frazier?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Apr 1, 2020.

?

Which guy could beat Prime Holmes?

  1. Frazier is most likely

    64.9%
  2. Foreman is most likely

    10.5%
  3. Either man could have beaten him

    17.5%
  4. Neither man could do it.

    7.0%
  1. Bronze Tiger

    Bronze Tiger Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2018
    Messages:
    4,306
    Likes Received:
    5,206
    Thank you
     
  2. andrewe

    andrewe Ezekiel 33 banned Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2020
    Messages:
    647
    Likes Received:
    537
    Larry Holmes is too technical for a 70s, aka Prime, George Foreman. Prime Holmes vs 90s Foreman would be lopsided in favor of Holmes.

    Prime Frazier would do some damage to Holmes, but Holmes had an accurate jab that I feel could at least rival Joe's head movement. Ali used flicking jabs against Joe. Holmes could use his strong jab, and knock Frazier off balance (which wasn't hard to do because of his stance.) [not saying Frazier had a weak chin]
    Frazier definitely had a left hook that could put Holmes down, but he would not be able to knock him out. Holmes probably has one of the biggest hearts ever, rivaling Ali's.
    Really, this fight could go either way. In the past I have put Frazier above Holmes in h2h, but after thinking about it I really think a prime Holmes would pull out the victory
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2020
  3. BundiniBlack

    BundiniBlack Well-Known Member Full Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2015
    Messages:
    1,555
    Likes Received:
    412
    Foreman stops Holmes.
     
    Richard M Murrieta and Charlietf like this.
  4. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2004
    Messages:
    49,468
    Likes Received:
    15,776
    I'd pick Holmes over both, but I think Frazier is more likely to cause Larry problems, and I think Larry's best weapons trouble Foreman more than they would Frazier. That of course, doesn't mean that Foreman doesn't have the power and smarts to catch Larry and stop him. But I'd be inclined to favor Larry against both.
     
  5. 5016

    5016 Member Full Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2014
    Messages:
    153
    Likes Received:
    97
    Holmes would beat both of them by virtue of being better than them. There’s a reason why he is universally ranked higher than either. Styles don’t make fights, unless the fighters are very close.
     
  6. johnmaff36

    johnmaff36 Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2009
    Messages:
    5,793
    Likes Received:
    576
    i dont think either is beating holmes however id i have to pick one id say joe stands the better chance than george
     
  7. Charlietf

    Charlietf Well-Known Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2020
    Messages:
    2,935
    Likes Received:
    2,502
    Larry holmes did not have the power enough to worry Foreman early ,before he gets gassed, Holmes was down and got badly hurt by guys who were not in the same class of george as finisher
     
  8. Charlietf

    Charlietf Well-Known Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2020
    Messages:
    2,935
    Likes Received:
    2,502
    What a trash comment
     
  9. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2019
    Messages:
    22,635
    Likes Received:
    30,392
    I think that a prime George Foreman would lose to a prime Larry Holmes 1979, by a unanimous decision. Larry's left jab would keep George at bay, and Foreman did not have the best stamina, like a lot of knockout punchers who try for the home run early in the match. It would in my oppinion look like Jimmy Young vs George Foreman, March 17 1977. As for 1971 Joe Frazier, from the Fight Of The Century bout against against a past his prime coming back from exile Muhammad Ali, I see Joe struggling early from that hard left hand of Larry Holmes, but Joe Frazier had Yank Durham and Eddie Futch in his corner, Larry switched corners throughout his career, consistency is key for a championship caliber fighter. You would have to get used to a different way of doing things too soon. Joe was a very relentless fighter the night of March 8 1971. Frazier would be bobbing and weaving, digging deep left hooks into Holmes torso by the middle rounds, causing Larry to try to protect aching ribs. As in Ali vs Frazier 1, Frazier's face would be a bloody mess, but scores a knockdown in round 15, to secure the victory with a left hook. Frazier by unanimous decision. Larry does not have George Foreman's style and power to score a knockout victory over Joe, he is more of a boxer.
     
  10. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2014
    Messages:
    18,940
    Likes Received:
    20,267
    :lol:
     
  11. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2014
    Messages:
    18,940
    Likes Received:
    20,267
    Aggravatingly bad. :lol:
     
    Richard M Murrieta likes this.
  12. LoadedGlove

    LoadedGlove Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2019
    Messages:
    3,527
    Likes Received:
    4,283
    I would give Foreman a better than even shout here. With the greatest respect to those that have mentioned Jimmy Young, he was a mover and wore George out by making him go after him. Larry never was fleet of foot. He relied on great upper body movement and reflexes.
    Of course Larry had a great jab but Foreman's was very good and extremely powerful. If they go jab for jab in ring centre, Holmes would land more often but George would have enough grunt to back Larry up and the reach to land first in a trade off.
    Forget Holmes's uppercut. It's madness to try to uppercut a taller guy. Miss and you're wide open. Foreman did not crouch or bend at the waist so Holmes just isn't throwing that punch. The overhand right is Holmes's best offensive weapon against George especially when thrown as a counter over the jab.
    Foreman has size, reach and power on Holmes and Larry's advantages are not great enough, in my view, to be decisive.
    Holmes has the better engine and would give us a grandstand finish but I would back Foreman on a very close nod.
    Frazier I think would have his hands very full with Holmes. Larry isn't going to retreat easily so will be difficult to move to the ropes or corners and as Joe commits he is going to be eating that jab and uppercut. Also, if Larry can time Frazier's left hook he could give him real trouble with a right hand counter.
    Of course Joe was insanely brave and there really isn't any answer to that no matter how good you are but I just don't see him having the tools to beat a peak Holmes. Don't forget, the version of Ali he beat was still rusty after over 3 years on the lecture circuit. It was miraculous that Muhammad performed the way he did that night.
     
  13. El Hans

    El Hans Member banned Full Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2019
    Messages:
    202
    Likes Received:
    176
    [
    Bowe level uppercut?
    What?
     
  14. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2012
    Messages:
    13,221
    Likes Received:
    11,531
    Frazier had the tools. Coming in low snorting fire, working the body when he does slip insìde. Larry even if he is having success is gonna have to rest on the ropes by the 5 or 6th. Frazier doesnt let you rest.
    I agree Holmes had an excellent uppercut but he would have to pick his spots with it. Joe would be waiting for it and look to slice that lefthook over it.
    If you view the 1st Ali fight that is exactly how Frazier knocked Ali down. Ali was throwing a right uppercut.
    I think Frazier is a little quicker, more precise and skilled than many realize until they are in the ring with him.
    It would be a barnburner.
     
  15. CharlesBurley

    CharlesBurley Well-Known Member banned Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2020
    Messages:
    2,065
    Likes Received:
    1,879
    Holmes would outbox and outhustle both of them.