The 38 year old Holmes who was ko'd by Tyson in 4 rounds vs the Danny Williams who ko'd a 38 year old Tyson in 4 rounds. Who wins and why?
I can remember both bouts as plain as day, and remember Larry entering the ring with Shock the World emblazoned into his robe. I did think that may be a bit of a mistake as I expected him to last longer than he did. I knew he would get KOd. When Tyson faced Williams, I can remember thinking "I bet he beats Tyson", and he did, although Mike did suffer an injury to his knee during the fight. As for a Holmes-Williams match in those respective years, I would have to go with Larry on a wide UD.
The 42 years old Holmes beat the unbeaten Mercer easier than the 100% prime Lewis obviously Larry Holmes considering Mercer was better than Danny.
I'd probably go with Holmes by decision. But I'd be a little uneasy about it. Larry was rusty in 1988. He hadn't fought in two years and didn't look particularly good in the last few fights he DID have. Of course he had some success later. But that was over the course of a well planned and campaigned comeback where he fought a list of hand picked opponents in steady progression... Little bit different coming back cold and stepping right in with someone who has any sort of ranking.
I must confess that i did Fancy Danny Williams to beat tyson, Well that version of Tyson, I had seen how Danny could put Heavy shots together, and had a Habit of putting his foot on the Gas and throwing in a big forth Round in fights, Just About, i reasoned when Tyson's Expectation of a quick spactacular win would be abating, and if Danny could get 'Angry' at being written off... and actually Attacked Tyson, then Mike's resolve could quickly evaporate, and so it proved, However unlike Tyson, Larry would not assist, by coming onto Danny's Shots, he would feed Danny the Jab, so good in his prime, that even in his Later Years it could still be a match Winner, Danny is also not a good disector of the Ring, so Larry, even on creaky wheels, should be able to find plenty of escape routes, Danny is Brave and Tough..but seemed to get locked into a 'Follow and Hope' mode if an opponent did not try to put his Back to the wall, So Basically Larry has to do what Larry Did, Hard Jabs, Slide off to the side, a few Combo's to keep Danny respectful... Then it will be Danny's resolve that will be tested over the Long Haul... my guess is Larry, at this time is happy for a Trouble-free win, so establishes a lead and retains it, Danny, with Little by way of protracted exchanges finds himself an unexploded Bomb... Larry defuses Danny ..he knows what fistic wires to cut and what mechanisims to Jam... Larry on Points.
lol this is the weirdest thing. Just a few days I was thinking about that and had the thought I can't imagine anyone has ever thought of this. Well, I stand corrected. It's a tough call because Danny was the much more active boxer prior to fighting Tyson, but wasn't exactly beating world beaters. I'd have to think Holmes still edges it do to his jabbing and the fact he beat Mercer and hung with Holyfield years after losing to Tyson. Not an easy call for me, but I'd lean Holmes.
