Larry Holmes (1978-1985) vs. Wladimir Klitschko (2006-2014) the ultimate poll

He did what he do and the ref allowed it. Holyfield fought his entire career using dirty tactics and Lewis used to clinch by leaning over his opponent’s back. We aren’t talking about who had a more aesthetically pleasing style.

 

Holmes vs Norton is one of the greatest Heavyweight title fights of all time.

Wlad vs Povetkin is one of the most disgraceful heavyweight performances from a champion of all time.

The gap in quality between these two bouts alone puts Holmes comfortably ahead.

 

I have Holmes higher than Wlad but you could make the argument that Wlad beat better guys during his title reign

 

Wlad definitely has an edge in resume imo. Povetkin would sweep Holmes' entire title resume imo

 

I would not favour Pov over Witherspoon.

Sure, i would probably favour Povetkin over the rest. He could beat any of them. But would Pov have the consistency to go 48-0 like Holmes? Doubt it.

 

Larry's run was garbage but nothing was worse than Wlad's.

Hold my nose and vote for Larry.

 

I think Cooney would be a problem for Povetkin.

Povetkin is a great competitor. Strong. With a good work rate, but very little in the way of creativity.

Cooney too could be quite formulaic, but he knew how to hurt fighters and he carried that eraser.

 

None of the guys who Larry beat had that kind of consistency. Povetkin was more consistent than all of them.

 

Not nearly enough defense for Povetkin. He'd destroy Byrd though.

 

Holmes would box his ears off and win a comfortable decision.

 

If you limit it just to the title run its Wlad clearly. Wlad could consistantly shut out or stop his opponents regardless of caliber. If Holmes fought his biggest challenge yet they were going to fight like they were his biggest challenge yet. For Wlad every fight was a tuesday.

Wlad also got to everyone relevant in his era short of his brother and Valuev. While I think Holmes SOS is underrated by certain field marshalls Holmes did not get to everyone.

Wlad isn't the GOAT of HW boxing but his title reign probably wins a "most dominant title reign" competition against Louis and Ali. Holmes's reign isn't in that discussion.

 

Holmes was simply better. Much faster. Took a far better punch. He’d have cut Wlad up and stopped him.

 

Fairly equivalent champs. Unsure how I’d decide between the two, different eras and all.

I guess if we want to go off individual wins, Witherspoon is arguably better than anyone Wlad beat?

 

Disagree. Witherspoon is given mythical "peak" status for the Holmes fight, but he was sort of an inexperienced unknown whose best wins came later. I can't see why he should be more highly regarded than more proven guys like Povetkin, Haye, Ibragimov, and Byrd. It's even tough for me to put him ahead of someone like Pulev who had a solid am career and didn't come very close to losing again unitl he fought Johsua while up there in age.

It's basically giving points to Holmes' opposition bc Holmes underperformed.

 

Well, Povetkin was not exactly Mr. Defense, either. Worse still is that his most oft-used defensive maneuver was to duck low. Against Cooney, that'd be inviting the KO.

Povetkin wasn't a sharp-shooter, either. Cooney could see him coming a mile-off - nor would he need to go looking for Povetkin.

Povetkin's biggest threat to Cooney is his workrate, but he's going to have to march through heavy fire to sustain that and I think he's apt for the stoppage loss before it matters.