If Larry Holmes replaces Jimmy Young and defeats Foreman

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Mendoza, Feb 25, 2009.


  1. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Ali was 38 years old, off for two years, and looked horrible going in against Holmes. I can't believe you're actually making even a half-assed attempt at trying to fabricate an angle on this one.....
     
  2. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ali made a big mistake with Diet pills before that fight and that was a completely shot version of Ali.....IMO Ali was a better version of Holmes but Holmes style( stamina and ability and Ali a little light in the Power dept, still a decent right hand) but Holmes like Norton could fight 15 rds and I can see prime for prime Holmes could give Ali trouble (Young,Norton) because of styles but (Ali had a active and sneaky right hand and I see that being a problem for Holmes over the left hand
     
  3. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Agreed.

    That would be like comparing the version of Holmes that lost to Mike Spinks against the Ali of Zora Folley timeframe. The conclusion you'd draw is what chance does Holmes really have?

    But in there primes it's still a tough fight for Ali and not the style he looks best against. By the same token, this opponent is hardly the facefirst catcher types Larry usually fought either. And it's a distance bout all the way and a competitve bout but the opposition is not going to put either guy in their optimal career best defining fight highlight reels.
     
  4. ThinBlack

    ThinBlack Boxing Addict banned

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    No, maybe top 3, but if he beat Foreman, would he have been able to beat Norton in late '77?
     
  5. MMJoe

    MMJoe Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Don't worry your pretty little head there missy, Larry Holmes is included in everyone's short list of heavyweight GOATS. Anyone who don't have him listed, should add him immediately.
     
  6. energie

    energie Boxing Addict Full Member

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    larry holmes would never beat george foreman in 77 ..... larry holmes looked like utlra **** against tom prater in 77...let alone fighting foreman = he wasnt ready
     
  7. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    In this scenario both Holmes and Foreman would be enhanced in standing.

    Holmes would likley still not be a consensus top 2 pick, but a lot of people would have him there.
     
  8. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    I agree with this. Foreman's power would always be a factor. I also elieve that Jimmy Young had a better chin than Holmes, and remember how badly he was rocked in the 7th round of their bout...and Young was also of course, far more defensively adept than Holmes. holmes could have won it, but any lapses and he's dead meat.
     
  9. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    If Holmes had fought Foreman in 1977 instead of Young,he would have got beaten,imo. Even against that 'going off' version of George. Holmes was n't yet ready for that calibre of fighter. He needed his first victory over Earnie Shavers the following year to gain the seasoning required.
     
  10. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    And yes,Holmes is definitely a top 3 heavyweight.
     
  11. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    He's in my top ten as it is. To move higher realistically he needed to beat Tate, page, Thomas and spoon.
     
  12. MAG1965

    MAG1965 Loyal Member banned

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    It hurts Foreman's legacy more.. I am not really one of those who thinks George was a really strong ATG. His power was, but even on his comeback he was given 3 title shots to win, and finally challenges Moorer who had one of the weakest chins of most heavyweight champions in history.
     
  13. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    No, but a definite top 3 fighter.