[GIF] Larry Holmes uses the shoulder roll against Mercer

That's what I always thought the key to the shoulder roll was; that the shoulder formed the first line of defence meaning there needed to be limited upper body movement and would leave you in position to immediately counter.

Looking at this, Larry is never in position to immediately fire back after taking evasive action here so, personally. I'd be more inclined to call it slipping or even good old-fashioned ducking, to be honest.

 

Spot on.

 

I'm still trying to find the part where Larry is on his bicycle.

 

I thought the shoulder roll was a euphemism for "boxing off the backfoot". Like, rolling the shoulder while youre jogging away from your opponent in order to maintain proper posture and the necessary state of relaxation needed to minimize injuries. I assumed thats why whenever Floyd Mayweather was running away from his opponent people would say shoulder roll, oh look at that shoulder roll. Didnt Floyd Mayweather invent the shoulder roll? Or was that Mike Tyson?

 

Good point! I'd favor even this Holmes over '88 Tyson.

 

Ofcourse you would, Holmes put on such a comfortable and competitive showing against Mccall who the entire world knows what he did to Lenni.

 

OK. I thought you meant to refer to the first clip you posted.

 

I wouldn't.

Tyson destroyed Holmes in a fashion no one else ever approached... which given that Larry fought till 50 is something.

 

According to Don Turner the shoulder roll is, "nonsense." ps Turner was Holmes "trainer" for that fight.I guess Holmes ignored Turner's instructions for that bit eh?