This would have been one of my favorite fights, no question. It probably would have been more tactical than anything else...but I can imagine Ali getting a flash knockdown with his sneaky right hand. In the end I see Ali winning it in a tough match that would mostly thrill the more cerebral boxing fans. Split decision, 15 rounds.
Prime Ali wins unanimously. Larry’s primary weapon was his jab and Ali would take that punch away with his movement and own rapier like jab. Without being able to effectively use his left Holmes is not left with much to offer except toughness. Ali wins 10-5 in rounds and is relatively unmarked aside from a slightly swollen left eye. Holmes is a swollen and bloody mess at fights end.
This would be a close fight stylistically , I have Ali winning 9 rounds to 6. There's no way either man scores a KO.
I agree, but I have it closer. Both Ali and Holmes HATED not being the big man with the jab in a fight, so I think even the incredible 60s Ali would have more trouble than most people think. The big factor imo is Ali's hand and foot speed. He'd probably more often than not beat Larry to the jab (at least). But then, Larry's jab was heavier and if not quite as accurate, more daunting. I see the fight being too close to call until the 15th round, the latter of which was at times Ali's specialty. Larry would have tried face to face combat as he did in the Norton, but Ali would have just plain landed more punches and avoided Larry's overhand right like the plague. I should mention also, 1980 Larry had shed most of his Ali influence and became more of a boxer/puncher who often was the aggressor. That's why I mentioned the split decision, as Larry most certainly would have been making the fight (at least more than Ali), pressing forward and most often probably having to start things first (which of course would have made it a relatively slow fight, as Larry liked to counterpunch, too).
