Just rewatched Holmes vs. Williams. Doesn't this fight look for you like hypothetical matchup between Ali from the 60s (Williams) and Ali from the 70s (Holmes)? By the way, do you think the Holmes from the second fight with Spinks would have defeated Williams more decisively?
Holmes was more aggressive and focused in the Spinks rematch. Therefore it’s possible he might have beaten Williams more convincingly if he fought him like that
My scoring of each fight was.... Holmes vs Williams = 143-143 1 even round the 3rd. Holmes vs Spinks 1 = 143-142 for Spinks. Holmes vs Spinks 2 = 145-140 for Holmes. I recently watched Holmes vs Spinks 1 and Holmes was far too passive in that fight and his right hand which he didn't throw alot didn't look sharp. The Holmes of the 2nd Spinks fight was alot more aggressive/assertive and threw the right hand more but he gassed in the later rounds. The issue is if Holmes fights Williams aggressively early he might not have enough left in the later rounds because remember Holmes needed a big finish in the last 5 rounds to pull it out vs Williams. I think Williams is always going to be a problem for Holmes he's 6'5 with an 85 inch reach and had a very good jab himself. Williams was vulnerable to left hooks and Holmes didn't really have a stand out left hook so stylistically Williams is a tough fight for Holmes. Do I think a younger version beats Williams more convincingly ? Of course. But Williams is a bit underrated he was very skilled and had huge dimensions his problem was his shaky chin and being vulnerable to left hooks as I said above.
Experienced Williams once sparred in 1983 with the 17-year-old amateur Mike Tyson and dominated him. However, when they fought in 1989, Carl's fragile chin made itself known, and he lost in the 1st round by TKO.
I have watched it many times, includiing live and i thought Williams eaked it out. He gassed late but his jab was the dominant factor for most of the fight. He moved well and tied Holmes up effectively to reset. Then the jab would pop again. Holmes was nullified for most of the fight. Wlilliams wasn't landing too much other than the jab but Holmes wasn't landing much of anything.
Michael spinks definitely beat Holmes first fight Homes won rematch definitely Holmes beat c wiilliams 144 to 142
