Larry Holmes decisions Cassius Clay.

Alis jab was lightening-quick, no doubt.
But don't always go by the Liston fight.

Sonny was slow and ponderous at times.
He only moved forward, never side-to-side.
His footwork was below-average 'at best'.
He didn't bend to avoid punches, he leaned down and forward.
His arms 'muscle-mass' were big and heavy, making it difficult to keep them up in
front of his face.
Thats just a start.

 

On the Renaldo 'Mr.' Snipes vs. Holmes.

Renaldo Snipes lived right near me in Westchester County.
I saw him fight many times in White Plains, New York.
The guy was awkward, but did throw a wild right hand.

At 25-years old, 6' 2" and 215 lbs. he was a 'live' opponent for Larry Holmes.
Unbeaten in 22 fights, and with (11 KO's) he was not an easy guy to fight.

None of Ali's first (8) defenses had that kind of 'live' opponent.
Young, strong, unconventional, and unbeaten.

 

It looks like the Gentro-Computer was using some combination of fights to determine the winner.
Only Ali's fights from 63' thru 67', were calculated.

He lost points for not fighting;
1966,, Eddie Machen,,47-6-3 (29 KO's),, (33) 6' 0" 192 lbs.
1966,, Amos Lincoln,, 38-5-0 (24 KO's),, (30) 6' 2" 205 lbs.
1966,, Thad Spencer,, 30-5-0 (13 KO's),, (23) 5' 11" 197 lbs.
1967,, Leotis Martin,, 24-1-0 (14 KO's),, (28 6' 1" 198 lbs.
1966,, Doug Jones ,, 24-4-1 (14 KO's),, (29) 6' 0" 195 lbs.
1967,, Eduardo Corletti 23-2-5 (13 KO's),,(26) 6' 1" 198 lbs.

 

I think what the computer was stating, is that;
Any combination of Machen, Lincoln, Spencer, Martin, Jones or Corletti
were better than George Chuvalo, Brian London, Henry Cooper or
Cleveland Williams.

The computer also has Renaldo Snipes as a more dangerous fighter than any of Ali's first 8 defenses.
Not better fighter, just more dangerous (based on youth, strength, size, unbeaten record, and right hand power).

 

alexvoce,

Very good point. 1971 version of Joe Frazier beats the best Cassius Clay
1963-1967 era.

Have to laugh, watching Karl Mildenberger back-up Clay pretty much the whole fight
in 1966.
Also, hurting him with a body punch.
How hard a puncher was Mildenberger. In his previous 27 fights, (4) big knock-outs.
I wouldn't say Holmes wins easy, that would be a crazy statement.
But Holmes wins a razor-thin decision.