Just had this random thought. I think in the Holyfield fight Holmes was doing best when he was on the ropes but so could Holmes have his own kind of 'Rumble In The Jungle' against Morrison? I think Holmes would win via UD but I could see both fighters touching the canvas during this fight.
Holmes outboxes the shyte out of Tommy. However, it would be dangerous for him to spend a lot of time on the ropes, which he tended to do at this stage of his career.
Holmes was good avoiding left hooks for the most part - Right hand punchers were the Holmes kryptonite
I don't like Holmes sitting on the ropes vs Morrison TBH. That's a very dangerous tactic considering Morrison is a good body puncher that would rip combinations to the body and head not to mention his KO power. But Holmes was savvy enough defensively vs Mercer, Holyfield, McCall, to not get into any real trouble vs those fighters. And I'd say they would all be considered better than Morrison or atleast had a better career than Morrison atleast. Plus Morrison doesn't have the game changing right hand which was Holmes's weakness. So I'll go with Holmes by late TKO or decision win.
Holmes was tough yes but not the type of tough at that age to take that left hook elite power Morrison had and last the distance. Morrison stops Holmes after dropping him similar to how Tyson did. Holmes would have his moments for sure. But not enough to last against The Duke
I’m on the fence. I know Morrison got battered by Mercer who then got schooled by old Holmes. Also the Michael bentt loss doesn’t help Morrisons case either. But boxing isn’t that simple. Morrison would be coming at Holmes with some ferocious attacks, ripping hooks and probably slipping Holmes jab where and when he could ( though he wasn’t a master at doing that. ) I suppose Holmes Could still have won in 1992. But let’s just say it would have been a high risk fight.
Holmes had very little preparation for the Tyson fight, and he faced a "prime" Tyson, so no shame in losing. Morrison isn’t offensively better than Mercer. Mercer’s main downfall against Holmes was his lackluster jab, and Morrison didn’t exactly have a great jab either. Morrison did have a decent right hand, which he used against Lennox Lewis’ jab (but it didn't really work out, you know), but I don’t think it was powerful enough to knock Holmes out. Maybe he could score a knockdown, though.
Holmes stops Morrison around 9. Holmes remains cool, and even if hurt recovers so well, it would dishearten Morrison while he ate jabs all night.
The Duke could really bang, one of most fun heavyweights of the 90´s. Big heart, terrific left hook and rib busting body attack. Unfortunately not a great chin or defense. Struggled badly with faded Carl Williams. as well as Joe Hipp, Yuri Vaulin, Ross Purrity, Razor Ruddock. Morrison would have to win within 4 but I´d expect Holmes to ride out a couple of uncomfortable shots to take over and bust up and stop Tommy late.
I feel that Morrison had significantly more power than Holyfield and would be able to make that edge felt.