Best Second career, Holmes or Foreman?

Had Holmes defeated McCall I'd vote for him. He came short with just 1 point-margin

As it is, my vote for Foreman based on his world championsip 2nd time.

Interestingly, in 97 Foreman was robbed vs Briggs but Holmes 'loss' to Brian Nielsen wasn't a lesser robbery that year too.

Their fight was scheduled for January 99 with Foreman taking $10 mil and Holmes $4 mil. Unfortunately, sponsors didn't find money for that megafight of 50 year-olds.

 

Foreman because he won the Heavyweight Championship of the world against an undefeated Champion in his prime. Foreman made more $ as well. Not to say Holmes wasn't successful because his win over Ray Mercer was impressive. I think Ray was the WBO Champ which didn't and shouldn't carry the same weight. They both gave good accounts of themselves against Holyfield. Gotta give the edge to Foreman.

2nd question head to head who wins? Larry Holmes and George knew that.

 

Which part of my answer are you in question about ?

 

I believe Holmes had the right style to offset what George liked to do. He`s not going to bend or crouch into Foreman`s wheelhouse {those massive uppercuts}. Larry is going to use his jab and frustrate Big George. Tying him up. It would probably be a snoozer to be honest. Foreman was a pretty smart fighter during his 2nd career but Holmes had a high ring IQ himself. I cant see Foreman winning.

 

I would pick Holmes if they met in 95

 

I posted a thread like this several years ago, so I went back and copied my old post.. I went with Foreman as having the better comeback and below are my reasons.



FOREMAN'S BEST WINS IN COMEBACK:

1. Michael Moorer - 35-0, lineal heavyweight champion
2. Lou Savarese - 36-0, USBA heavyweight champion
3. Adilson Rodriguez - 36-2, Brazilian heavyweight champion
4. Alex Stewart - 28-3, fringe contender
5. Pierre Coetzer - 39-4,Fringe contender
6. Crawford Grimsley - 20-0 prospect
7. Jimmy Ellis - 17-0 prospect
8. Bert Cooper - 20-4 Journeyman.
9. Axel Schultz - 21-1, contender ( okay, Schultz got robbed )
10. Gerry Cooney - 28-2, faded veteran.

FOREMANS LOSSES:

1. Evander Holyfield
2. Tommy Morrison
3. SHannon Briggs - possible robbery

LARRY HOLMES BEST WINS IN COMEBACK

1. Ray Mercer - 18-0, Solid Contender
2. Jessie Ferguson - 20-12, past prime journeyman.
3. Jose Ribalta - 33-9-1, past prime journeyman.
4. Mike Weaver - 41-17-1, faded veteran
5. James Smith - 44-16-1, faded veteran
6. Butterbean Esche - 65-2-3, make of him what you will
7. Paul Poirer - 29-2, journeyman
8. Michael Greer - 42-11, past prime journeyman
9. Ken Lakusta - 21-19-1, tomato can
10. Quin Navarre- 17-3-1, journeyman.


LARRY HOLMES LOSSES IN COMEBACK:

1. Evander Holyfield
2. Brian Nelson
3. Oliver McCall


ANALYSIS: In the loss department, I'd say these guys are basically tied. No real difference there, and even if there is, its marginal at best. From there on out however its not even close. George Foreman had a comeback record of 31-3-26, while Holmes' second career consisted of 21-3-10. Additionally, their competition weighs heavily in favor of Foreman. Foreman's best comeback win was his KO of Michael Moorer - a 35-0 lineal champion who had just taken the title from Evander Holyfield, making Foreman the oldest man to ever regain the lineal crown. Holme's best victory was his decision over Ray Mercer - an 18-0 prospect who's best win was over Tommy Morrison. Clearly Foreman takes the cake in terms of single best win. As we go further down the line to second tier opponents, it gets rather ugly. Foreman fought a fair number of undefeated prospects, fringe contenders and respectable journeyman who's ages ranged anywhere from late 20's to perhaps early 30's, and who had fairly respectable records. Larry Holmes was fighting 40+ year old former champs, ex-contenders and journeyman who sometimes even crossed into the realm of tomato can.. Now, you could say that Foreman received a gift in the Schultz fight, but then most ( including myself ) felt that he was robbed in the Shannon Briggs match. If we want we can mix and match by counting his fight with Schultz a loss while giving him the nod for Briggs, and frankly I think he actually comes out better. But, that of course is up to the individual. Once again, Foreman's comeback made history by shocking the boxing world to regain the heavweight title 20 years after his first reign. Larry Holmes failed on all three of his attempts to win back a strap, including against two of the worst alpha titists of all time in Brian Nelson and Oliver McCall........

CONCLUSION : Some might make a valid argument that Larry Holmes was a tad more deserving of his title shot at Evander Holyfield than Foreman was by virtue of his win over Mercer. That's fine, but if we're talking about who had the better comeback run overall, the award goes to George Foreman and its not even close.

1. Foreman had the better comeback record
2. Foreman finished his comeback with wins over better opponents
3. Foreman regained the heavyweight title, while Holmes didn't

 

This was spot on

 

Great analysis.

I'm a big fan of Holmes, but I have to agree with your conslusion.

 

I like this break down of both guys Mr M. I believe foreman had the better comeback figures. Head tu head I would have picked holmes but only just.

 

Foreman rewon the true hwt championship after being retired for ten years. Greatest achievement in sporting history.

 

foreman easily better opponents and way more $$$$ in his bank acct