Holmes vs Ali 1976

So this is Larry in 1976, not prime?

 

This would have been the best possible year that both their careers overlapped in which both were fairly decent. Ali had not yet fallen into terrible shape and total loss of ability, yet Holmes was on his way up. I can't say, as Ali had lost most of his speed and footwork while Holmes had no real experience. It's a toss-up and a close fight, but I personally don't think either man would come off as impressive. Ali would either come off as an old man or Holmes as a fringe-contender.

 

Really hard to guess since Holmes had yet to earn his stripes. The first Shavers fight was what really solidified him as a top contender. Without that, he is sorely lacking in experience even if he was in his prime and Ali was aging.

It would still be very interesting to watch and you couldn't count Holmes out. He still had that laser jab and this version of Holmes had the fancy footwork and high punch output to frustrate and counter Ali.

I think Ali wins a razor thin split decision pulling every trick out of his hat and a little bit of generosity from the judges. Neither guy is really hurt and there are no knockdowns. I think it might look like a weird combination of Ali vs Mathis, Ali vs Young, and Holmes vs Witherspoon. Lots of circling, flicking, flurries, clinching, and attempts to psyche each other out.

 

I agree with Glass. Ali would have too much ring intelligence for Larry...the most interesting part of the fight would indeed be Ali's psych job.

 

The Ali that lost to Spinks was a shot fighter, Holmes,even a green Holmes beats him.

 

Holmes even in 1976 would’ve embarrassed Ali, who in 1976 was long in the tooth, often out of shape, and very beatable.

Ali really should’ve retired in 1975, since he had an excellent year against good competition and his victory over Frazier was a great win to end his career on a high note.

 

I agree, and feel the third Norton fight should never have taken place.

That said, I love watching the Shavers fight. Ali showed so much heart in coming the closest he ever came to getting knocked out and yet rallying hard in the 15th. He showed his last flashes of greatness (few as they heartbreakingly were) in that fight imo.

 

Take a hard look at the guys Larry was fighting at the time. Big big difference compared to Ali. And back then the judges loved Ali.

 

That was 2 years later.

 

Holmes wasn't quite ready for Ali in 76. Muhammad kid's feints and fiddles Larry out of a decision. I think it would be very similar to Ali's fight with Jimmy Young.

 

larry was still in the build up phase in 1976 and was matched carefully by his management.
according to boxrec.com his fight record was 22-0 (15 kos/tkos), 6 of his opponents had a negative record. the only good names were rodney bobick and roy williams. his first opponent in 1977 was tom (who?) prater, who ended his career 24-21.

larry was not yet ready for his former employer and his mind games and psycho tricks.
even a declining ali would score a points win by '76 in my book.
in 1977 it would be 50:50, while one year later the heavyweight title (and it' s champ) was ready to be taken and only a miracle would have saved muhammad (and he had run out of miracles by then).

 

I agree with those who say that Holmes wasn't experienced enough and Ali still had enough in the tank to beat him. Ali would've been heavily favored by oddsmakers.

But Larry Holmes had an intestinal fortitude that made him an ATG. I think Larry would've realized that this was his big chance, trained like his life depended on it, and pulled off the upset.

 

Ali would still win in 76. 77-78 would be the crossover.