Does anyone still think that Larry Holmes is always Ali's sparring?

He was a great fighter but never faced off against another great fighter when he was in his prime to put him over the top. He was so consistent and did beat a lot of good and dangerous contenders. I wonder what would had happened if Tyson came along 5-7 years earlier.

 

Beating Ali decisively is the real reason that he receives the poor press that he does. That and the Marciano thing and obvious bitterness. He might have beaten Ali on Ali's best day. But the biased powers and opinion makers that be don't look kindly on anyone pummeling their idol.

 

I am not sure there are too many people who still "under-estimate" Holmes. He is in my top 3 heavweights since the 1960s: Ali, Holmes, Lewis - and I auspect the majority on here would agree with that.

I think the resentment during his time was due to several factors beyond his control: following Ali, dominating the opposition fairly easily, beating Cooney, approaching Marciano's record...

 

Your comment was great except for that "Holmes >>> Marciano" part

 

I was hoping that would rustle some feathers.

Can't argue with the 7/8 year reign. He also imo beat better fighters (H2H wise) than Rocky.

 

I rate him 3-4 ATG at HW. He seems to be fairly rated top 5 by most...and I don’t recall not seeing him in a top 10? I do think he is under appreciated or celebrated.

 

He's only not known by casual fans but eh who cares what they think

 

49-0

 

And?

 

...

49-0

 

That's irrelevant with 3 good wins...

 

Y-you're just jealous!!1!

 

Lol I'll **** myself if Wilder surpasses Marciano and has a higher KO ratio

 

Eh we can always call out the draw as a blemish

If the draw isnt a blemish then Floyd's 50-0 was never a record cause of Jimmy Barry's 60-0-10

 

I always that was how it works