Holyfield, Holmes, Ali - rate their punch resistance

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Big Ukrainian, Jan 15, 2018.


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  1. Big Ukrainian

    Big Ukrainian Boxing Junkie

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    Another thread about these 3 HWs.

    How do you rate their punch resistance ('chins')? All 3 were pretty tough and were rarely knocked down, despite fighting lots of hard hitting guys.

    Ali was knocked down 3 times by the shots to the head in 61 fight, 21 year as a pro.

    Holmes was dropped like 6 times overall (3 of them vs prime Tyson) in 75 fights, 29 years as a pro.

    Holyfield was dropped by the shots to the head - Bowe (3 times), Bert Cooper and John Ruiz, in 58 fights, 27 years as a pro.

    Ali took punches of Liston, Foreman, Frazier, Shavers, Lyle and many others.

    Holmes' chin was tested vs Shavers (dropped heavily but came back), Norton, Witherspoon, Smith, young Holyfield, Mercer and McCall (these 3 at the age of 42-45, never dropped in 36 rounds).

    Holyfield absorbed power punches of Tyson, Lewis, Bowe, Foreman, Moorer, Rahman, Mercer and others.

    Who had the best chin of the 3 and how do you rate their punch resistance on 1-10 scale?
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2018
    Big Ukrainian, Jan 15, 2018
    Big Ukrainian, Jan 15, 2018
    #1
  2. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    #1 by far is Ali.

    2nd and 3rd place is tougher to selct but I'd go with Commander Vander as #2. LH is 3rd.
     
    zadfrak, Jan 15, 2018
    zadfrak, Jan 15, 2018
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  3. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    I think it's a tough call .. all three were super tough .. I can't pick between Ali and Holyfield .. Evander was more aggressive and was hit more often than Ali ... Holmes maybe a hair below those two , maybe ..
     
    he grant, Jan 15, 2018
    he grant, Jan 15, 2018
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  4. Ken Ashcroft

    Ken Ashcroft Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Did Liston really connect flush with any power punches to Ali’s chin during their 2 fights?
     
    Ken Ashcroft, Jan 15, 2018
    Ken Ashcroft, Jan 15, 2018
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  5. UFC2015

    UFC2015 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Holyfield
     
    UFC2015, Jan 15, 2018
    UFC2015, Jan 15, 2018
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  6. JC40

    JC40 Boxing fan since 1972 banned Full Member

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    Ali and Holyfield were never counted out unlike Holmes so I would rate those two a bit higher.

    Ali's chin seemed to improve after the first Frazier fight for some reason. The punches he took in the Shavers fight were unbelievable.

    What all three had were incredible fighting hearts.
     
    JC40, Jan 15, 2018
    JC40, Jan 15, 2018
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  7. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    Harsh, considering it was against peak Tyson and that the final blow was preceded by Larry getting his punching arm tangled in the rope. I actually think Larry had the best punch resistance of the bunch.
     
    Rumsfeld, Jan 15, 2018
    Rumsfeld, Jan 15, 2018
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  8. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    Their is Absolutely nothing to support this.
     
    swagdelfadeel, Jan 15, 2018
    swagdelfadeel, Jan 15, 2018
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  9. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    They all could be buzzed. They all had good ring IQ and recovery ability.

    1. Ali
    2a Holyfield
    2b Holmes
     
    ETM, Jan 15, 2018
    ETM, Jan 15, 2018
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  10. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    That's it for me too.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jan 15, 2018
    JohnThomas1, Jan 15, 2018
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  11. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    Debatable. Depends on what you consider "support".

    For instance, I believe Holmes was knocked down by fewer opponents than either of those 2.
     
    Rumsfeld, Jan 15, 2018
    Rumsfeld, Jan 15, 2018
    #11
  12. Combatesdeboxeo_

    Combatesdeboxeo_ Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    One thing is sure. Once more Holmes is the worst.sorry holmes fans
     
    Combatesdeboxeo_, Jan 15, 2018
    Combatesdeboxeo_, Jan 15, 2018
    #12
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  13. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    Holmes was floored against:
    Weaver (though ref did not call it)
    Isaac.
    Shavers.
    Snipes.
    Tyson.
    Butterbean (bull**** call though imo)
     
    swagdelfadeel, Jan 16, 2018
    swagdelfadeel, Jan 16, 2018
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  14. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. Full Member

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    Well, Holmes took the hardest shot an absolute bomb from Shavers that threw him down to the canvas. He got up and showed excellent legs. He also took a hard body shot vs Cooney, and recovered from a good one from Snipes and Witherpsoon.

    Holmes should not be penalized for the Tyson fight, he was 38, out of the ring for a while and facing Tyson at his very best. Ali or Holyfield at that age if they were inactive would be buzzed sawed too.

    Holmes has but one stoppage loss in his career in 75 fights. He was never badly gassed, or beaten up by smaller men. In addition, he was often the older fighter in many matches vs. punchers.

    So I say Holmes #1 by a close margin, with Ali second ( Ali was hurt bad vs Cooper, and Shavers ), and Holyfield #3.

    Now if we are talking survival skills when hurt, Ali was #1.
     
    Mendoza, Jan 16, 2018
    Mendoza, Jan 16, 2018
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  15. williams7383

    williams7383 TKO 6 Klit Lickers Full Member

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    And what we would all give for a heavyweight like any of those three these days.
     
    williams7383, Jan 16, 2018
    williams7383, Jan 16, 2018
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