52 Year Old Larry Holmes vs Andy Ruiz

Holmes had some pretty quick hands for and good footwork for a dinosaur fossil. Its his style allowed him to age well in the divison even at middle age. Kind of like Klitschko. I'd favor Ruiz but the way Holmes performed in his 40s and 50s and add that to his outboxing style. I actually think it would be competitive.

Im a minority but i stand by my opinion.

 

Are you nuts? A bit of respect for boxing old glories.

Ruiz KO2 with explosion of Holmes worn out jaw. Too old.

 

That jab was legendary & rightfully so...Holmes was much underated or I mean unpopular, abrasive but a great HW champ! Ruiz would be swollen faced gas bag!

 

AJ was supposed to run Ruiz out of the ring, but never recovered from being clipped in the 3rd round.
Even in the rematch AJ boxed carefully vs. an even fatter Ruiz.

Is Holmes >>> AJ too?

 

Aj is better than Holmes at mid range and with the counterpunching but pure boxing wise prime Holmes is even better than Fury and Usyk. If Aj fought Holmes, It would definitely by competitive. Probably one Holmes hardest fights no doubt but Holmes small size, superior defense, footwork, and good jab will give Aj serious problems.

I cant see past a Holmes UD.

 

Appreciate the friendly debate. Many of your views I agree with. Here, you think more of Holmes than I do vs. modern HWs.
In Holmes era he was still a fairly big HW. In the recent to current era they either outweigh him (Ruiz), are longer (Wilder) or both (Fury, AJ, others). Yes AJ-Holmes would be competitive but I'd take AJ by UD or even late stoppage. I'd also take Fury over Holmes. I think Usyk - similar size to Holmes and skillful - gives Larry hell although could lose a decision.

AJ, Fury just too big/ strong for Holmes. Most here will say Holmes "easily" beats Wilder, but if DW lands a big right he could windmill Holmes to a stoppage. Just my view.

PS Going with what Toney FU posted. As I type it's now 19-8 in favor of Ruiz.
I think the 8 voters from the classic section came here, voted, and left

 

I look at Erislandy Savon vs Joshua to someone form my view of Holmes vs AJ. Aj has gotten a lot better since then but he has yet to fight a smaller more mobile heavyweight ever since. Joshua struggled with his slickness, but it wasn't just that, Savon exchanged with him, outboxed him and was able use his smaller size and movement to mess with Joshuas coordination. Holmes was a tall heavyweight in his era but he wasn't necessarily big. Usyk is proof a fighter the size of Holmes can make it to world level in todays era if they have skills.

Holmes outclassed Ray Mercer when he was well past his prime. The same Ray Mercer that gave Super Heavyweight Lennox Lewis absolute hell. He also held his own against Mccall and Holyfield when he was over the hill. Holyfield was small but easily world class in skill while Mccall weighed over 230lb and Mccall beat Lewis and was Mike Tysons sparring partner. If we are talking about Prime Holmes, i just dont see AJ beating him. Size matters but only to an extent. Ruiz weight a lot but the guy is obese although he can still throw quick hands. Hes what 6'1 ? Joshua has decent outboxing abilities but Holmes is just on another level. He can get aggressive against Holmes but cutting off the ring against a small quick footed heavyweight in Holmes would be a lot harder than cutting off the ring against big heavyweights like Fury. He also gasses so that might not be the best strategy.

Usyk would definitely give Holmes problems but Usyk himself had trouble with Bellews jab, counterpunching and head movement until Bellew gassed. It was Usyks plan but regardless bellew had success with his outboxing. He was just burning too much nervous energy. I'd take Holmes by UD

 

Good analysis. See my PS above.
I think Holmes would be competitive vs. many current HWs. I just don't think his skills will overcome the length or weight advantage most would have over LH. What do you think of Wilder vs Holmes?

 

Usyk actually looks is out of prime now.
Usyk from WBSS1 tournament >>> Holmes from 1988 th.
Bearing in mind that then in prime and before injuries Gassiev and Briedis had power more than Holmes form 1980 th. Sorry, I know, U.S celebrity, very good boxer but he was not more competitive than prime Usyk.

Current Usyk version most likely had been stopped by Holmes from 1980 th.
Prime Usyk from WBSS1 no. He might lost on points vs Holmes for example etc.


Ruiz in medium level shape most likely had lost via UD vs Holmes from 1980 th and had stopped Holmes from 1988 th.

 

Bellew can't be used as measure.
He even did fought guy with defeats on record instead of his mandatory in prime Briedis.
Because if he had this.......... he had been stopped in distance. Like if this was Holmes from 1988 th vs Briedis too the same result.

I btw don't think that Bellew or prime Briedis might beat Holmes from 1980 th.

 

I obviously said Ruiz would destroy Butterbean but Ruiz has slow feet. Thats the problem Holmes even at 52 was quicker with his feet. Holmes style is all wrong for Ruiz but Holmes in this scenario is still 52. Ruiz takes it but judging from Holmes in his 40s and 50s i actually think Holmes would give him some trouble

 

Ruiz from fights vs A.J? He will stop Burrerbean.
Butterbean of course had far more power but he punched slowly, it is predictable as hell here.
While Ruiz really in fights vs A.J had damn predictable movement in the ring ( footwork ) at least his hands are really fast and he is not dumb, Ruiz is skilled boxer.

He will not beat Holmes from 1980 th but Holmes from 1988 th yeah, Ruiz will stop in distance.

 

52 years old against that disgusting blob? That's too cruel, the bones remains of Larry would be scattered all over the ring. The one in the early 90s could win a decision over him though. Not the one that thought Butterball.

 

Hard to believe that, that disgraceful figure that showed up in Saudi Arabia could beat anyone, with even rudimentary skill.

 

Reality shows: why not. A.J in this match even didn't get him down even not ONCE in 12 rounds.
Actually he avoided close fight and scored points on cards. That's it. Ruiz might hit very hard and does have fast hands despite short reach.