I never said he would, and that's why I don't think he'd drop his guard or do something dumb like he did in the Shavers and Snipes fights.
Exactly! Larry may have been 38 & had just become a grandfather, but the stoppage loss to Tyson remains the only TKO loss on Holmes' record. It was juts unfortunate for Holmes that he met an exceptional fighter in a peak Tyson! I would say a peak Holmes was very different to the one that fought Tyson in Jan 1988. Holmes would have been lighter, quicker, sharper, more durable (even though he displayed great recouperative powers in the fight with Tyson). I think its a tough call because a peak Tyson was a ferocious, focused guy who was prepared to go fifteen rounds if required. He didn;t just go looking for the KO, he punches in bunches, sustained a solid body attack & had a competent body attack of his own! I think Larry would struggle with Tyson's speed & the accumilation of punches, a bit like Berbick not being able to cope with the vast array of shots coming his way from all angles! Larry would try things like tying Mike up, trying to frustrate him, which could happen! I say Tyson on points because I can't see him halting a peak Holmes!
No, what I believe might happen is that Larry will try and be macho at some point and try and trade when it's not in his best interests to do so. Part of me thinks Larry would resent having to play it safe against Tyson. I hope that makes sense....
Larry wins by unanimous decision, but would probably suffer a couple of early round knockdowns.After about the eighth round, Larry would establish firm control over Mike.
Tyson might be able to catch him, but can he finish him? Not so sure about that. If Tyson cannot finish him, what happens as the rounds progress? Holmes hits Mike more and more and the fight turns Larry's way the longer it goes. If it is 15 rounds, I say either Holmes by decision or late stoppage. Would be a really intriguing and fun match up though.