Holmes vs Tyson

What do you disagree with ? I'm confused ? the impression I get from your post is that you agree with me that Tyson wins ? I think you meant to quote @RulesMakeItInteresting

 

Oh yes sorry. I agree with you. I quoted the wrong person.

 

Excellent post nonetheless.

 

Thank goodness for that. I thought my comprehension had gone down the **** chute all of the sudden.

 

I also believe that peak Larry beats peak Mike.

Understanding his less than ideal prep and preceding inactivity, Holmes did appear and fight somewhat leery.

The plan for Holmes did perhaps seem to be to survive the early rounds at all costs - we did see Larry try to loosen up with a bit of dance/jab routine - maybe prematurely, but it never really got beyond the early rounds to see how Holmes might’ve tried to change it up - and that’s not to say whatever he did try would change the outcome.

Prime Holmes would be acutely cautious, employing max. mobility and primarily working behind the jab at range for a good number of rounds before mixing up his offence.

Just imo, Mike got Larry out of there as soon as was possible for him.

The right hand for the first KD was monstrous but note, even allowing for Holmes’ susceptibility to the right hand, a flat footed Holmes was literally leaning in toward the shorter Tyson - literally asking for it.

I cannot imagine prime Holmes displaying that same vulnerability to a notably shorter reached fighter like Tyson - particularly a duly wary Holmes at his peak powers.

 

Peak Tyson Vs. Peak Holmes; I would pick Tyson, but it would be the hardest win of his career.

 

Holmes was an expert clincher with far more upper body strength than given credit for. He would have stifled Mike's rushes at most turns, plus probably spun him off balance. He had a very wide arsenal of savvy tricks. It would have been too much for Mike; quite possible he'd knock Larry down, but Larry had a tendency to get back up and get in control fairly soon after...then commence raging. I just don't see Mike doing particularly much after the 7th round. He'd go into his usual, far less effective tactic of waiting for the one shot, and he'd get the crap plugged out of him again and again for going that route.

Please understand, I am a huge fan of Mike in the 80s. He was extraordinary. Holmes was far more kryptonite to Mike than Buster was, just a far better fighter than even the Douglas who showed up in 1990.

 

No prob, I’m not reading any anti Tyson tone or sentiments at all.

Without necessarily comparing Holmes to Tokyo Douglas, I just see different variables in play to Holmes advantage vs Mike.

For one, Douglas took it to Mike from round one - that’s not the right plan for Holmes in view of his own particular strengths and weaknesses.

Holmes best plan imo is too ensure his passage to the mid way point but that doesn’t mean he should only fight to survive - he has to maintain a measure of offence - he has keep Mike honest and I think he can do that with mobility and constant pumping of the jab. He can also hold if necessary as you say.

Larry also has the safety net of a great chin and recuperative powers to field shots that might get through, even survive a KD as you suggested - but still, Holmes can’t afford to let in too many big shots.

Certainly, there would be people who might’ve reasoned that Tyson would beat peak Holmes even before Tyson actually fought the old, inactive and ill prepared version.

It might not for some l, but I can’t help but think that for others, the actual outcome lent even greater conviction that Mike would’ve beaten the peak version.

Of course, their fight in 88 really doesn’t carry weight as to how it might’ve panned out against peak Larry.

Also, a mere 2-3 rounds extended longevity against Mike, which peak Holmes could achieve relatively unscathed imo, would see quite a turn in complexion in Larry’s favour.

 

I'd bet a satchel full of cash on Prime Tyson sending Prime Holmes into micro-orbit. Be serious with all this Holmes worship.

 

Perhaps you could elaborate on this big bet. Why do you think that? Just putting it out there doesn't count for much.

No disrespect intended.

There are good reasons why so many critics and enthusiasts put Holmes over Tyson as ATG. Watch Holmes against Shavers I and II, Norton, Ali, Neon Leon, Berbick, Leroy Jones, Wtherspoon, Cooney, Cobb, and Scott Ledoux and get a good idea why.