90s Holmes replaces Wladimir Klitschko in Klitschko’s era, how does he do?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Devon, Aug 25, 2025.


How does Holmes of the Mercer fight do in Wladimir Klitschko’s era?

  1. Joined best with Vitali

    3 vote(s)
    20.0%

  2. One of the best, but there are better, even outside of Vitali

    3 vote(s)
    20.0%

  3. Just wins a world title belt, but loses it soon after

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  4. A contender, but doesn’t win a world title belt

    8 vote(s)
    53.3%

  5. Not even in the picture

    1 vote(s)
    6.7%
  1. Devon

    Devon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Basically Holmes of the Mercer fight in Klitschko’s era, in this hypothetical, he’s also the step-brother of Vitali Klitschko, to replicate Wlad’s situation.

    He also stays 42 as he was in the Mercer fight, he’s as he is in that fight for the whole era.

    I’d say he loses to Sanders, Povetkin, Ibragimov, Byrd, Haye and maybe Pulev, but beats Thompson, Brewster, Chagaev and the other guys who were decent.

    How do you think he does?
     
    Devon, Aug 25, 2025
    Devon, Aug 25, 2025
    #1
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  2. Devon

    Devon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Bump.
     
    Devon, Aug 26, 2025
    Devon, Aug 26, 2025
    #2
  3. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Oct 8, 2013
    He does poorly. I'll give him the respect of being a contender, but that's as far as I can push it. The former Soviet block guys are too young and skilled with their extensive amateur career to lose to a 42 year old Holmes with diminished reflexes. Sanders an explosive southpaw also is extremely dangerous for a man of Holmes age. He could possibly outpoint Thompson but Brewster, that's tough, Lamon wasn't called relentless for nothing, that's a tough man to keep off you for 12 rounds at an advanced age. At 45 Holmes nearly beat McCall but McCall didn't have the engine of Brewster.
    Holmes was cagey enough that he would probably pick up one surprise win on the list, of someone you wouldn't expect but he loses most of the matchups vs this lot of fighters. Winning some moral victories by lasting the distance.
     
    The Long Count, Aug 27, 2025
    The Long Count, Aug 27, 2025
    #3
    zadfrak, Smoochie and Journeyman92 like this.
  4. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Jul 2, 2006
    A contender who doesn't win a belt. At best, he wins a belt but loses is soon after.
     
    dmt, Aug 28, 2025
    dmt, Aug 28, 2025
    #4