Frazier sparring Holmes 3 Min Mark

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Pugguy, Mar 4, 2024.


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  1. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    To be safe, I did put a question mark but this has gotta be Larry - facially, style, the jab, hanging the left arm down, body type, etc.

    This clip is from a relatively new channel called Legends Sparring but the sparring partner isn’t identified by the uploader.

    Quite rare vision - or at least vision I haven’t seen before.

    PS edit: @klompton2 has kindly provided precise details re this clip - please see his post later in this thread.

    This content is protected


     
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2024
    Pugguy, Mar 4, 2024
    Pugguy, Mar 4, 2024
    #1
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  2. Ney

    Ney Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    It’s conceivable to me it may be someone else. Does look like Holmes, but his movements aren’t that unique for ID purposes.
     
    Ney, Mar 4, 2024
    Ney, Mar 4, 2024
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  3. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    Yeah, I’m happy for anyone to confirm or reject that it’s Larry in their view.

    Holmes sparred Frazier in 73 when Joe was prepping for the Ali rematch in Jan 74.

    When I watch it, I think yes, that’s Holmes save for a brief moment here and there.

    There was also that move peculiar to Larry, leaning slightly forward, letting the left arm hang, as if framing to jab - sometimes immediately followed by him actually jabbing.

    The sparring partner also looks solid in build - not sure how big Larry actually appeared at that stage - his pro career weights suggest he was just over 200 lbs - but then he looked solid in his later sparring sessions with Ali in ‘74.

    Perhaps @klompton2 could confirm for us.
     
    Pugguy, Mar 4, 2024
    Pugguy, Mar 4, 2024
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  4. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    I don't think it's Larry ...
     
    he grant, Mar 4, 2024
    he grant, Mar 4, 2024
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  5. klompton2

    klompton2 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    This footage is from January 16, 1974. Frazier was prepping for the second Ali fight. Most of the footage shows Frazier sparring Pete "MoleMan" Williams but there is a short clip of him sparring Holmes at about the 3min mark. He also sparred Willie the Worm Monroe and Jimmy Young that day but they dont appear to be featured in this footage.
     
    klompton2, Mar 4, 2024
    klompton2, Mar 4, 2024
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  6. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    Thanks Klomp. Excellent info. Very much appreciated.
     
    Pugguy, Mar 4, 2024
    Pugguy, Mar 4, 2024
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  7. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    @klompton2

    I’ll just add that I was more sold on the short sleeved partner being Larry.

    However, I won’t deny looking hard at the first partner - though he did appear a bit more stocky and was perhaps sporting a bit of beard on the chin - though a bit hard to tell with the head gear.

    The first partner also let the left hang like Larry would sometimes do - so that was a red herring for me. He looked pretty good but his executions weren’t as tight or as busy as Larry’s.

    Fair segment featuring Larry though - interesting to see the stylistic mesh - Joe even got in a less often seen right hand - an ominous sign for Larry? Lol.

    IIRC, Frazier unveiled the right hand to great effect in his rematch with Quarry, about 6 months after his loss to Ali in their rematch.
     
    Pugguy, Mar 4, 2024
    Pugguy, Mar 4, 2024
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  8. Boxed Ears

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

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    Let me tell you something that may not be PC. The gayest dude in the world don't want no Joe Frazier on his azz. And Larry Holmes? I used to hear in the clubs back when they filmed the Pacino Cruising dance scenes that gays didn't even think Larry Holmes was attractive. That's how straight Larry was. What's my point? Larry Holmes wouldn't have wanted Joe Frazier on his azz and Joe Frazier wouldn't have wanted to be on his azz but that's where he'd be for 15 straight rounds. And it would get very gay. Or the opposite of that. Sometimes, it's a fine line, if you're that straight. And Joseph Frazier was straight as an arrow. Despite all that hook talk.
     
    Boxed Ears, Mar 5, 2024
    Boxed Ears, Mar 5, 2024
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  9. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I'll eat my shorts if short sleeve dude isn't Holmes -- the height difference between him and Frazier is proper, the long arms are proper (+6 ape factor), the build is proper for him of that era, and there are moves here and there that are absolutely his. Swinging of the left arm prior to throwing a jab. Starting a jab with his arm all the way down. Waving his head around as a feint. Mummy arm defensive push while moving to the side (this one is a dead giveaway, and if you want to see him do this exact move over and over, re-watch a round or two of his fight with Cobb).

    I know that in sparring, sometimes the guy whose camp it is will have certain things he wants to work on. Sort of looks to me like the instructions to Holmes here were "dance around and jab", so Frazier could practice closing on him. Also here, Holmes is throwing the jab more as a flick like Ali would -- given that this was Frazier's camp for a fight with Ali, makes perfect sense.
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2024
    Barrf, Mar 5, 2024
    Barrf, Mar 5, 2024
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  10. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    You know, this sparring session could give the impression that, maybe, given the right ring size and springiness, a young Holmes might have been a really annoying opponent for Frazier.
     
    Barrf, Mar 5, 2024
    Barrf, Mar 5, 2024
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  11. klompton2

    klompton2 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    Nick Wells would disagree...
     
    klompton2, Mar 5, 2024
    klompton2, Mar 5, 2024
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  12. surfinghb

    surfinghb Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GN1XX9C696c
     
    surfinghb, Mar 5, 2024
    surfinghb, Mar 5, 2024
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  13. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    But didn't Larry say something about kiss my big black ass??.
    So maybe, I don't know.. Maybe Larry likes his ass kissing!



    Oh crap. I hope this doesn't lead to another ASS KISSING MUNCHING THREAD :hang
     
    Fergy, Mar 5, 2024
    Fergy, Mar 5, 2024
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  14. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    He does look a little big for Larry but sure as hell resembles him, pug.
     
    Fergy, Mar 5, 2024
    Fergy, Mar 5, 2024
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  15. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    Yeah Ferg, the first guy in the long sleeve appeared a bit too stocky, but the short sleever is Larry.
     
    Pugguy, Mar 5, 2024
    Pugguy, Mar 5, 2024
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