Great fighters - no ATG opposition win.....

This could potentially be a huge list if we exclude fighters that were past their best but far from shot.

E.g.

Whitaker couldn't include Nelson and Chavez (nor DLH if you think he lost to him)

Harada couldn't add Jofre

Arguello couldn't add Olivares

Spinks couldn't add Holmes

Benitez couldn't add Duran or Cervantes

 

Holmes? Come on! Seriously, yes, he did have great competition and in most cases reigned supreme. His resume is FANTASTIC.

His wins over Weaver, Shavers (Twice), Norton, Snipes, Mercer, BUTTERBEAN (Alright, I'm Kidding), Marvis Frazier (Yeah, I Know), and Trevor Berbick cement his legacy as a great fighter who had a great career.

Conversely, he did take on more greats, such as Spinks, Tyson and Holyfield, those of whom he lost to.

 

Tim Witherspoon and Ken Norton are not great p4p fighters, but both are sure as hell great heavyweights.

 

Based on that... well, then I don't see how relevent the original question is.

So what if Holmes didn't beat fellow "ATG" fighters? He beat enough damn good ones! Shavers and Norton, no excuses. That does it right there for me. Not to mention the Mercers and Weavers of the world. :bbb

 

I rank him between 25-30 at heavyweight. Which heavyweight did Lennox beat thats better than tim, ancient tyson and holyfield?

 

...Shavers?

 

Hmm... I get the jist whatsoever, but should nevermind because plenty will?

You contradicted yourself. :-(

Furthermore, yes, I do. Your right- I don't think bringing up great fighters who didn't fight fighters quite as great (or greater) then them is terribly relevent.

In conclusion, yes, Holmes did fight two all-time greats, though they were past their best days- twice Ernie Shavers fought, twice he lost to Larry Holmes. He came close, he did fine, they were wars, but he lost. Ken Norton gave Holmes a real fight in '79, but Holmes dismissed him, with a great performance in the 15th round.