Jim Jacobs Mike`s manager stated in a post fight interview after the Marvis Frazier blowout that his team were in talks for Tyson to meet Holmes, would Larry have fared better than he did in 1988 if the two had met in the ring in 1986?
Holmes was done after 1983, he would of been knocked out within 6 rounds. Only the Holmes of 1978/1983 extends this past 6 rounds.
Larry might have lasted another round or two but I think he was significantly diminished by that point
In 86 hrs still being active. Tyson s smashing people to bits but Smith slowed him down. So I see Holmes perhaps using his experience to try and slow Tyson down. We may see something resembling the Thomas fight, with the Holmes jab managing to score point's. But I see only one ending and that's Tyson finally landing and dropping him, several times perhaps. I don't see this getting past Larry s unlucky round - 7.
Larry Holmes would lose for sure. Probably not like 1988. Let's not forget Mike's "hunger" for the title (the "hunger" he didn't have in 1988). At best for Larry Holmes, he would be able to welcome the end of the match on his feet (like Mitch Green, and James Tillis in 1986). The winner is definitely Mike Tyson (1986 he is not Michael Spinks, but a chainsaw). Did Mike Tyson look close to defeat in any of the 13 fights in 1986?
Holmes also fought novices like Witherspoon 15 pro fights, Williams 16 pro fights. And both of them done very well against Holmes, so i don't think Tyson's lack of fights would do him much harm, remember Cus D'Amato had trained Tyson to specifically beat Holmes, i'm sure i've heard that somewhere before. Green mostly held vs Tyson and looked to survive, Holmes never really clinched much in his career and wasn't known for fighting like that. Tillis used movement and again clinched and occasionally went to the body, Holmes by 86 didn't have the legs anymore. To freely move around the ring for the entire fight like Tillis did. Either way i don't see the 86 version of Holmes hearing the final bell, it would be hard enough for a prime Holmes let alone the faded version.
The Tillis fight was very close, with Tillis coming on stronger late, even though he had lost 4 of his last 5 & his last 3 fights & defied conventional wisdom by getting involved in wild exchanges, hooking with him & other no nos.
101% agree with this. Mike Tyson is one of the few boxing superstars to whom no victory has been gifted (not even against Tillis). Mike Tyson Vs Donovan Ruddock 1 is not a gift either, although the fight should not have been stopped (Tyson was better on points).
The Witherspoon fight is the last time Holmes would have taken Mike past 8 rounds, but he still would have lost. The Cobb fight is the last fight Holmes would have beat Mike, probably by 13th or 14th round TKO.
I always thought the stoppage in the 1st Ruddock fight actually benefitted Ruddock, in my mind a few more punches and Ruddock would of been flat on his back. The stoppage had happened at the perfect time, as the round previously Ruddock had briefly rocked Tyson, so the memory the public would of had was the last 2 rounds. Which was Ruddock's good moment in the 6th round, and the questionable stoppage in the 7th. When in reality Ruddock was getting beating up, and the stoppage gave him another opportunity to face Mike Tyson. Without the stoppage Tyson would of knocked him out and i doubt there is a rematch.
