Does anyone here think that Larry Holmes is sometimes underappreciated?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mr. magoo, Nov 24, 2010.


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  1. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    After being a boxing fan for more than two decades, and a frequent internet poster for about 5 years, I can certainly appreciate some of the criticisms of Larry Holmes and his title reign. But as time passes, it seems as though people have been focussing primarily on his reluctance to face men like Greg Page and Pinklon Thomas, rather than to emphasize the high lights of his career...

    Holmes was a man who faired well as an amateur, won his fist 48 pro fights, reigned for nearly 7 years, and had some 19 title defenses. He defeated honorable names such as Earnie Shavers, Ken Norton, Gerry Cooney, Tim Witherspoon, Trevor Berbick and Mike Weaver during this period.. I'll agree with anyone that he was no Muhammad Ali when it came to competition quality, but I do feel that his accomplishments are underrated. He also made a comeback after 6 years of inactivity, and at the age of 42, beat Ray Mercer and took champions Evander Holyfield and Oliver McCall the distance...

    In his prime, Holmes was a master of the jab, threw a deadly upper cut, and could take a hard punch like few..... This was a truly great fighter.....Not perfect, but still great... I wish more fans would give him his dues, even though he elected to pass up a few good contenders and said some things that were not in his best interest to say....
     
    mr. magoo, Nov 24, 2010
    mr. magoo, Nov 24, 2010
    #1
  2. Joe E

    Joe E Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Possibly the most underated Heavyweight Champ.
     
    Joe E, Nov 24, 2010
    Joe E, Nov 24, 2010
    #2
  3. Il Duce

    Il Duce Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Absolutely,

    Great Fantasy Fight.
    Muhammad Ali 1967 vs. Larry Holmes 1980.
     
    Il Duce, Nov 24, 2010
    Il Duce, Nov 24, 2010
    #3
  4. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    It only seems that way sometimes..but actually he's honestly regarded as a great here, IMO.
     
    red cobra, Nov 24, 2010
    red cobra, Nov 24, 2010
    #4
  5. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I agree with Red Cobra; he's given his just due here (unless your name is Bummy Davis). A truly great fighter, and routinely ranked here as the third-best heavy ever, which I couldn't argue with. How much more could one ask?
     
    salsanchezfan, Nov 24, 2010
    salsanchezfan, Nov 24, 2010
    #5
  6. combatesdeboxeo

    combatesdeboxeo Guest

    he is a good fighter but he does deserve it.
    he is an idiot egocentric. he talk **** on every legend.
    and he think that he is the greatest, it is a joke.
     
    combatesdeboxeo, Nov 24, 2010
    combatesdeboxeo, Nov 24, 2010
    #6
  7. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I'm glad you're here. We're running low on villains.
     
    salsanchezfan, Nov 24, 2010
    salsanchezfan, Nov 24, 2010
    #7
  8. Kalasinn

    Kalasinn ♧ OG Kally ♤ Full Member

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    Do you remember when Old Foreman ducked Old Holmes? :yep
     
    Kalasinn, Nov 24, 2010
    Kalasinn, Nov 24, 2010
    #8
  9. duranimal

    duranimal Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    My favorite Heavyweight Champion who's had the missfortune too come between Ali & Tyson & he never got the props he deserved back in the day from the Ali loving Media.
     
    duranimal, Nov 24, 2010
    duranimal, Nov 24, 2010
    #9
  10. combatesdeboxeo

    combatesdeboxeo Guest

    combatesdeboxeo, Nov 24, 2010
    combatesdeboxeo, Nov 24, 2010
    #10
  11. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    Mr. M, I am even one of the heretics that rates him fairly highly P4P. I think he's one of the best H2H fighters in his prime. Underrated power, speed, skill, toughness...an elite total package. I don't even like him as a person but by SNV's axe, I do rate him very highly and my number 3 HW also, after Ali and Louis.
     
    Boxed Ears, Nov 24, 2010
    Boxed Ears, Nov 24, 2010
    #11
  12. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    You both have good points. He is in fact, justly rated by some on this forum..
     
    mr. magoo, Nov 24, 2010
    mr. magoo, Nov 24, 2010
    #12
  13. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Thank you for your input Boxed Ears. He is indeed one of the greats.
     
    mr. magoo, Nov 24, 2010
    mr. magoo, Nov 24, 2010
    #13
  14. MAG1965

    MAG1965 Loyal Member banned

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    I do. years of being champion and in my mind much better than Joe Frazier, but he didn't have the competition Frazier had, nor the losses.
     
    MAG1965, Nov 24, 2010
    MAG1965, Nov 24, 2010
    #14
  15. tommygun711

    tommygun711 The Future Full Member

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    I agree with you. As does *********** poster young_robbed. he also rates young very highly.
     
    tommygun711, Nov 24, 2010
    tommygun711, Nov 24, 2010
    #15
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