Foreman V Holmes 1977-One Of Boxing's Greatest What Ifs?

I’m assuming George is performing below his usual level. The dehydration is telling. The heat definitely didn't agree with him either, as shown in Kinshasa.
Add to that the fact that styles make fights, and Holmes is the logical choice. Of course, Foreman could just as easily crush him. But if he didn't manage that against Young, it’s hard to assume it would be any easier against Holmes.

 

I'd make Holmes a healthy favourite. Those sharp snapping straight punches against Foreman's big sweeps? Sure Foreman will land some but Holmes' chin was decent. I think Larry piles up enough points to get his next grocery trip for free.

 

Holmes outboxes him or stops him late.

 

Holmes beats any version of Foreman.

An elite outboxer with a very good chin, ATG jab, good cardio, is all wrong for Foreman.

Holmes by decision.

 

Holmes wins. Foreman was a very different cat from the dude who crushed Joe Frazier and Ken Norton, and I'm fully aware of the axiom styles makes fights and how the clever but somewhat limited Gregorio Peralta befuddled Young George. George wasn't in a good place mentally. Gil Clancy was a great trainer but he tinkered just a little bit too much with George .

 

If Holmes is caught napping and takes a flush shot, I'd fancy Foreman to finish the job. But Holmes was generally a dude who was aware of what he was doing.

 

Well, George Foreman and Larry Holmes both fought on the same card in 1977 when Foreman fought Jimmy Young in San Juan.

Larry fought Horace 'Big City' Robinson, a journeyman. The video is widely available on Youtube.

It lasted four rounds, and Holmes could barely breathe at the end of the fourth. Robinson didn't come out for the start of the fifth. Robinson had nothing left himself, and Howard Cosell spent most of the fourth round and all of the 60-second rest period after the fourth talking about how Holmes didn't have the punch to be a top heavyweight. Holmes also ate a number of hooks, particularly the left hook, from Robinson, who had no power himself.

I have zero confidence the Larry Holmes who fought on the undercard of Foreman-Young could've beaten Foreman ... or YOUNG ... that night.

Larry got better in 1978. That's why people were surprised how easily he handled Shavers. But, in 1977, Larry wasn't there yet.

George beats Larry in 1977. By KO. Hell, I think George had more endurance than Larry in 1977. Even in San Juan. Specifically, in San Juan.

Larry's arms were at his side through most of the fourth against Robinson. Granted, he was throwing a ton. But George threw a ton, too, in San Juan. And George wasn't exhausted after four.

 

Young Larry beats 1970s Foreman.

Old Larry beats Old Foreman.

 

Cosell on commentary never liked Larry until he was calling the first Shavers fight … then he saw Holmes might become the top dog and he got more on board.

I wouldn’t put any stock in what Howard said.

 

Larry was exhausted after four rounds. Regardless of Cosell's comments about his power (which proved to be wrong), you can see how wiped Larry was after four in those conditions.

And 'Big City' Robinson, who was knocked from pillar to post, was connecting on hooks any time he threw them. Larry was wide open.

A lot has been written about George wilting in San Juan, but Larry wilted, too, in far less time.

 

Holmes went 10 rounds with Roy Williams in 1976. A fight where he got tested by a very big Heavyweight for that era 6'5 230+ pounds.

Holmes’s stamina looked fine in that fight.

I don't recall the Horace Robinson fight so I can't comment on it.

But I'd figure Holmes would take a big fight like George Foreman alot more seriously as he did vs Earnie Shavers.

As you said alot of people doubted Holmes against Shavers but he rose to the occasion.

Also Foreman didn't throw alot of punches vs Young he fought very measured in the first 6 rounds. Infact the first 6 rounds of that fight were quite dull and uneventful.

The fight only started to get interesting after Foreman had his big 7th round against Young.

 

This isn't really a "What Ifs" fight, as the voting will also show you
P.S. even Holmes has a chin to confirm my statement