1967 Muhammad Ali vs 1978 Larry Holmes

I would give the edge to Ali because I think Holmes peaked in 80/ 81.

Ali '67 vs. Holmes '80 is a pick em fight. Both men had terrific skills.

 

Holmes was like an aggressive version of Ali and fought off emotion. He could get lured into brawls in fights he might of won easier fighting off his famous jab. I remember him getting the best of a very past his prime Ali in sparring and in the pros, but a younger still able Ali was smarter than Holmes. A prime Ali peppers and counters Holmes with combinations then quickly ties him up. Holmes might of had more firepower, but Alis defense and speed would frustrate the **** outta him. Holmes as Alis prototype would go in trying to prove a point while Ali would use Holmes aggression against him. Close, but clear win for Ali.

 

Prime Ali would slice Holmes up like a butcher. No contest!

 

Good analysis. I could see this.

 

There isn't a heavyweight alive or dead who could defeat a prime Ali.

 

Ali would counter holmes jab, and in his prime he is fast enought to land that great fats right hand as well, holmes was open for that one, especially a fast one like ali's.
Holmes would go to the body as well though and stylistically he matches up well with ali, im taking ali by 9-6 type decision.

 

You're an idiot.

 

Everything Holmes was, Ali was more.
In one category they were equal, and that was balls, each had a infinite supply.
The fight would go the full 15, Ali unanimous.

 

Ali GOAT

 

I feel like Holmes had the harder jab and better right hand

I also think he had the height reach and speed to be competitive

We never saw the prime Ali in with a good jabber who had speed of his own, I think Holmes is better than anyone Ali faced in his prime

that said its a tough call

 

I would favor Ali due to his ring generalship...Both men were damn good boxers with a nice stiff, solid jab...but IMO Ali was the smarter fighter of the two...As somebody stated, Holmes could sway away from his gameplan and fight the next man's fight...Ali would bait Holmes into fighting his fight and the rest is history.

 

Holmes had all the tools to give Ali fits..
I say this is a 52/48 fight in favor of Ali..

 

Ali beats Holmes like he's ordinary. Ali's jab was BETTER than Larry's, and Larry didn't do anything particularly special. He was a good, solid HW champ who benefited from a weak division. This isn't the post-layoff Ali who had trouble with Norton, this is the Ali who never even got hit unless he got bored and lost concentration. The Sonny Liston that Ali beat would KTFO Holmes.