Pick a version of Holmes to beat '67 Ali

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by MaccaveliMacc, Jul 4, 2026.


Page 1 of 2
  1. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

    6,959
    10,237
    Feb 27, 2024
    Which version of Larry Holmes (a specific fight) would be the best equipped to have a best chance to beat '67 Muhammad Ali?
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Jul 4, 2026
    MaccaveliMacc, Jul 4, 2026
    #1
  2. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

    19,610
    21,831
    Jul 30, 2014
    None
     
    swagdelfadeel, Jul 4, 2026
    swagdelfadeel, Jul 4, 2026
    #2
    catchwtboxing, Claude, Stevie G and 5 others like this.
  3. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

    13,365
    20,912
    Jul 2, 2006
    None.

    Holmes just doesn't have the hand speed and combination punching to beat Ali. Ali has faster hands, better combinations and better ability to improvise.

    Ali by a competitive UD.
     
    dmt, Jul 4, 2026
    dmt, Jul 4, 2026
    #3
    Claude, nyterpfan, MagnificentMatt and 3 others like this.
  4. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    24,706
    29,526
    Jun 26, 2009
    Don’t know if he’d pull it off, but ironically give met the Larry who beat Ali.
     
    Saintpat, Jul 4, 2026
    Saintpat, Jul 4, 2026
    #4
    MaccaveliMacc, ikrasevic, Bokaj and 1 other person like this.
  5. Mark Dunham

    Mark Dunham Well-Known Member Full Member

    1,964
    1,045
    Mar 19, 2021
    1981, 82
     
    Mark Dunham, Jul 4, 2026
    Mark Dunham, Jul 4, 2026
    #5
  6. META5

    META5 Well-Known Member Full Member

    1,974
    3,586
    Jun 28, 2005
    Prime Ali's likely one of the very few HW greats that will beat prime Holmes in a battle of the jabs - handspeed and angles.
     
    META5, Jul 4, 2026
    META5, Jul 4, 2026
    #6
    Claude, swagdelfadeel, JohnThomas1 and 1 other person like this.
  7. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    28,745
    14,170
    Jan 4, 2008
    Yeah, probably peak Holmes. Good amount of experience without any substantial decline in athleticism and with a point to prove like perhaps at no other point in his career.
     
    Bokaj, Jul 4, 2026
    Bokaj, Jul 4, 2026
    #7
    Stevie G, MaccaveliMacc, robert ungurean and 1 other person like this.
  8. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic War for Souls Full Member

    9,388
    9,844
    Nov 3, 2021
    None.
    It would be a battle of the jabs, but it would not be a battle of footworks.
     
    ikrasevic, Jul 4, 2026
    ikrasevic, Jul 4, 2026
    #8
    Claude, Stevie G, Terror and 2 others like this.
  9. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

    55,392
    50,036
    Apr 27, 2005
    Yep. I would agree the ebst version would be around the time they met.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jul 4, 2026
    JohnThomas1, Jul 4, 2026
    #9
    ikrasevic, Claude, swagdelfadeel and 1 other person like this.
  10. SixesAndSevens

    SixesAndSevens Gator Wrestler Extraordinaire Full Member

    1,451
    1,970
    Aug 28, 2024
    Vs Trevor Berbick II... Ali wouldn't know how to block the limousine dropkick
     
    SixesAndSevens, Jul 4, 2026
    SixesAndSevens, Jul 4, 2026
    #10
    bboyrei, 2piece, young griffo and 3 others like this.
  11. OddR

    OddR Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,094
    3,307
    Jan 8, 2025
    1979-1981?
     
    OddR, Jul 5, 2026
    OddR, Jul 5, 2026
    #11
  12. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

    6,959
    10,237
    Feb 27, 2024
    I meant a specific fight.
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Jul 5, 2026
    MaccaveliMacc, Jul 5, 2026
    #12
    OddR likes this.
  13. OddR

    OddR Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,094
    3,307
    Jan 8, 2025
    Leon Spinks then maybe.
     
    OddR, Jul 5, 2026
    OddR, Jul 5, 2026
    #13
    TipNom and MaccaveliMacc like this.
  14. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    13,531
    3,047
    Oct 18, 2004
    None.
     
    Titan1, Jul 6, 2026
    Titan1, Jul 6, 2026
    #14
  15. Boxing GOAT

    Boxing GOAT Active Member Full Member

    1,149
    1,648
    Apr 2, 2020
    Maybe the Holmes that fought Norton, Shavers and Cooney.
     
    Boxing GOAT, Jul 6, 2026
    Boxing GOAT, Jul 6, 2026
    #15
    OddR likes this.
Page 1 of 2