Who was Larry Holmes greatest opponent?

Ken Norton, all things considered.

 

I rate Holyfield as a better fighter than Tyson, but on the day they fought Holmes, it is fair to say Tyson fought better. They both fought terrible versions of Holmes though, relative to what Holmes once was.

Norton fought a hell of a fight against a prime Holmes, and was a terrific fighter who excelled against 'boxers'.

 

In fairness, the Holmes that fought Holyfield was far better than the Holmes who fought Tyson and would probably have been able to go the distance with Tyson.

 

Holyfield, as Evander was just hitting his prime.

 

Ummm...no.

 

He was soundly beaten by Bowe in his very next fight.

 

Nope. That 42 year old Holmes wasn’t better than the 38 year Holmes that fought Tyson. Tyson was just a bad matchup for old Holmes

 

Huh?

The Holmes smacked down by Tyson had been on a multiple year layoff, had no tuneup fights, and almost no time to prep.

The Holmes that fought Mercer had like 5 tuneups and plenty of time to prepare. He was never stopped or seriously hurt after Tyson. He went the distance with a prime Holyfield. Why is it crazy to think he could have survived against Tyson? I'm not saying he'd win, I don't think he could have, just that he could have gone the distance.

 

And he fought his greatest fight ever in that fight.

 

Yes, but is Larry at the age he beat Mercer beating Norton?

 

Good question.

 

Not a chance.

 

I had Holmes decisively beating Witherspoon. 8 rounds to 4.

 

1. Tyson
2. Holyfield
3. Michael Spinks
4. Norton
5. Witherspoon

Norton was near the end when Holmes fought him. He’d barely beaten Young and fell apart after the Holmes fight. I think Spinks would’ve beaten Young more easily.