I came across this fight and watched it again to see if I remembered it correctly. What I saw confirmed it. Larry was 35, he was in with a young guy with only 17 fights and everyone including Larry thought he'd get Carl outta there early. But this fight in a historical context actually showed that Holmes was slipping into the aged fighter category. He was outjabbed and had his eye almost swelled shut. I thought Larry won but 2 judges had a ridiculous card of 146-139 with the other judge at 143-142 Holmes.I had it 144-141 Holmes, but in context it was the opening act for Holmes losing to Spinks. He needed a slower fighter not a young quick one to beat Marciano's record
I remember watching this fight as a younger man on free TV. I will have to go back and watch again. Holmes certainly had his hands full but I had his winning by the same margin as you. I will be interesting to score it again after all these years.
The truth was an excellent boxer with a superb jab.if his chin was more solid he would of been an ATG. Most people only remember his loss to Tyson In 89 . RIP
Haven't watched it since the night it was on TV, but was outraged that Holmes got the decision at the time. I thought Carl totally outboxed him.
It was close. Holmes edged it by coming on in the last few rounds. This was during the period Holmes was trying to milk it to 49-0.
I scored it for Williams but I could see someone giving it to Holmes by a very small margin. Several really close rounds.
The Truth had great jab, but not only that. He moved well, was quick for such a big guy and hit pretty hard. Watch his fights vs James Tillis, Bert Cooper, Jesse Ferguson, Trevor Berbick. He was dropped a few times in those fights, but thoroughly outboxed those pretty good and durable opponents. He also beat Mike Weaver so easily that it looked like a total mismatch until Weaver landed.... And even shot Williams wasn't an easy opponent for Tommy Morrison and Frank Bruno. As for Holmes fight, I agree with any score from 8-7 Holmes to 8-7 Williams (or draw). It was that close.
Larry Holmes looked good as made-to-order David Bey in March 1985 but looked old against Carl Willams a couple of months later. Holmes was all down-hill from there.
Williams had a long-reach and great jab which neutralized Holmes jab. Close fight, but thought Holmes edged it out on a champion's heart late.
Right, but he beat Weaver mercilessly for that 1,5 rounds and had him hurt. Then Mike landed one punch
I had Williams winning this fight. Holmes said himself prior to losing to Spinks that Carl Williams was the future of the division. That turned out not to be the case, but against Holmes, Williams looked great, especially for a guy with only 16 fights. I thought Larry got a gift against Witherspoon also.
The TRUTH is ,Williams was alot better than given credit for.When you get two jabbers its going to be competitve,both werent known power punchers.Holmes took the fight on 2/3 weeks notice as well. Holmes won this ,the only guy to defeat him without question was M.Tyson and a close loss to Spinks the first time. If Holmes was so over the hill believe me he doesnt last the distance with Holyfield nor defeat prime mercer,you guys can call foul all you like when another fighter gives a legend a fight....but thats because you guys have to have some sort of excuse when this happens. lol Fighters like foreman and Holmes BOTH added to their games in some way as they got older...it HAPPENS. Holmes certianly not as effective in the 90's as he was in the 80's. Holmes did not lose to spinks the second time unless you are actually going by nonsense judging and not by actual punches landed.