1980 Larry Holmes vs the best version of Deontay Wilder

Larry Holmes is an all time top ten Heavyweight. Wilder has no jab, no defence, no balance or footwork, sometimes crosses his feet as he's setting up.

As for Wilder's right hand, is it any more destructive than Earnie Shavers' ? Tyson Fury's got off the deck four times.

Wilder's got heart, I'll give him that but Larry would just dismantle him, stopping him inside ten.

 

Wilder can't beat Holmes, he just doesn't possess the skill. While Holmes could be hit with right hands it's the only thing he has to look for with Wilder and he'll see it coming a mile away.

 

I went with Holmes by decision although if this is a 15 round fight then Wilders ability to last that long will be in question. Also while Larry is superior in many respects, the dangerous right hand of wilder will still be a factor.

 

Holmes has one of the best chins, and one of the best jabs in heavyweight history. And Holmes wins by knockout. As soon as Holmes "smelled blood" he would finish the job.

 

True. But Holmes is quicker than Fury. Wilder would expend a lot of energy just trying to hit him.

 

As would I be if I got in the ring with Holmes. People giving Marciano a hard time about quality of opposition should take a look in Holmes’ direction.

Nevertheless he’s by far the superior fighter, you’d have to back him by decision, maybe even stoppage over fifteen. However unlike some surely will, I will not rule out Wilder given the damage done by extremely limited guys like Shavers & Snipes. Holmes has been called under-rated for so long he’s become over-rated.

 

Getting punched in the head tends to wear people down.

 

Holmes by KO mid to late rounds

 

Yes Wilder s right is deadly but Larry is a great boxer, he'd control this fight imo with the jab.
Holmes takes him deep and drowns him in the 11 th.

 

Would look like Holmes-Shavers 2. Holmes wins every single round he isn't dropped.

 

He doesn't have one of the best chins. Above average, but definitely not the best. What he had one of the best of was recovery ability and instincts to protect himself when hurt.

If he gets hit by a proper right from Wilder, he's going down. And then he's getting up, recovering while trying to protect himself.

 

This is often stated about Holmes but how proven is it really, & against whom? Shavers, a one trick pony in a fatigued state, & Snipes, who lacked pedigree as both a puncher & finisher, were his most obvious recoveries. Though not Holmes’ fault, he simply did not face a quality puncher who could finish first-rate until Tyson, by which time he was no longer himself.

Not saying Holmes didn’t have recuperative powers but merely that they really aren’t proven to the extent they’re described.