Joe Frazier 1971 vs Larry Holmes 1981

Frazier would injure him too

 

Holmes was only stopped once in his career and that was by a rampaging prime Mike Tyson and Holmes wasn't at his best. Granted, Frazier had more volume than Tyson, but Tyson was the superior puncher when it comes to power and speed. I think Holmes could make it to the end. Plus,it was typically right hands that troubled Holmes (when Tyson dropped him the first time, it was a right hand) not left hooks.

 

Although I rate Holmes higher all time at no 3 its the styles that make the fight. Holmes has in my opinion the best jab in history regardless of weight class but it's not enough to deter Joe. Holmes simply doesn't have the legs to beat Joe. I can't see anyone stopping a prime Holmes so I'll go with Joe by a convincing UD in a very tough fight.

 

Holmes literally never faced anyone with Frazier's work rate, tenacity, who would be on him like skin.

Oh he definitely could but I wouldn't bet on it.

For someone so immune to the left, he was sure getting nailed with an abundance of them by Weaver.

 

Joe by decision .... love Larry but Joe would show where the veneer cracks appeared between Ali and Holmes ...

 

On board with this 100%--great analysis. FOTC Frazier is just too strong and tough--he wins in a similar fashion to his 71' victory over Ali. (It would be a VERY close fight--and Holmes would do a LOT of damage with that piston-like jab. But Joe's unrelenting work-rate and body attack would eventually take its toll.)

 

The coins in my left front pants pocket would be on Frazier.

 

If over fifteen rounds, I would quite confidently pick Frazier. His style is great for nullifying Holmes’ & he has not only the experience of fighting Ali, but just more experience against a better quality of fighters across his career.

Holmes might do enough in a 12-rounder, but he won’t beat Frazier if it’s contested over the championship distance.

 

Agreed. And another thing Holmes had in his tool box was a dangerous right uppercut which I think Fraziers style would make him susceptible to.

 

Yes. Holmes did have a good uppercut. Let's go ask Weaver about it.

 

How many times would Frazier have been stopped fighting the dross Holmes made his career on?

 

The right uppercut would be the worst thing to throw against Frazier. Would leave Holmes vulnerable to Joe's most dangerous weapon.

 

1971 Frazier is practically the only fighter I predict would stop Holmes. Probably in 10, and Joe would be a swollen mask despite winning.

 

Idk about 10. I think Joe would need to take Holmes to the championship rounds tbh.

 

1971 Frazier had beaten Ali, Chuvalo, Bonavena, Mathis, Ellis, end of the line Doug Jones, and Quarry. 1981 Holmes had beat Roy Williams, Norton, Weaver, Shavers, Leroy Jones, Ali (Big fight experience and a lot of people were picking Ali), Berbick, Snipes, and Leon Spinks. IMO, Holmes had fought the better quality of fighters, a lot of them big, strong, physical people.

I think Frazier and Holmes are both good fighters but I never have understood why people think Frazier had the style to get to Holmes. He might, but getting through the Holmes jab would require taking a lot of damage, plus Holmes had a good right hand. Holmes default wasn't to go to the ropes when his opponent was aggressive, LH moved laterally, he turned people who came toward him. He might stick JF with multiple jabs and if JF got through them, LH would move laterally causing JF to have to reset. IMO Holmes had the the style to give Frazier big problems. I don't think JF's face and eyes could stand up to 15 with LH. JF would get swollen up by the jab, or stopped on his feet when he could no longer see what was coming at him.