How good was Larry Holmes really??

I too watched Holmes while he was doing his thing and you are wrong. Holmes is a force and threat to any and all the heavyweight greats.

 

Tried to sound smart when talking. Desperately wanted to be held in the same regard as Ali. Sucked up massively to Howard Cosell, who wouldn't give him the attention he wanted.

That being said he had a great jab and a solid chin. A very good fighter but not an ATG. He beat a physically degraded Ali and won close decisions vs Norton and Shavers. Got beat by the LHW Champ Spinks. Tyson almost killed him in a ludricrous comeback. Beat Butterbean.

 

Huh? If Holmes isn't then who is.

Ali lost to his brother

He definitely was smarter than Ali.

 

Holmes was the guy I watched more than anyone as a real young kid, as boxing was capturing my imagination. I hated Larry Holmes, I think simply because nobody could beat him . He always found a way to win, yeah he didn't look invincible like lets say Tyson but for me he's an ATG. How do rate his win over Mercer? He didn't disgrace himself against Holyfield either and what was he 50? I think it takes a special fighter to be able to still compete at that age.

 

Top 3 along with Louis and Ali

 

Very good. 75 fights once KOd (Mike Tyson).
Top 5.

 

Top 5 ATG at heavy. Marred by having to follow Ali and coming before Tyson as well as fighting in a weaker era.

Undervalued at the time and I don't think he helped himself at times putting his foot in it like with the Rocky comment and coming accross as having a chip on his shoulder.

I always liked Larry though he was his own man with one of the best jabs at heavy.With a will to win and good chin in his prime.
I think he could have cemented his era a little better as he avoidrd a couple of fighters and didn't unify but you can say that about a lot of people.
As time has gone on his stock has risen I think a few people overrate him a little but he's top 5 for me. As with ATG's he's a pretty well rounded offensively gifted fighter