Larry Holmes failing to take on # 1 contenders

Would you kindly list the many alpha champs who Tyson fought that Holmes didn't? The only one I can think of is Pinklon Thomas.

 

Holmes was considering Tubbs as a potential target after Spinks, but for obvious reasons, the fight never occured. Prior to Tubbs beating Greg Page in 1985, he really didn't have much else going for him to justify a title shot, therefore I wouldn't say Tubbs was avoided. Berbick was a reasonable 27 years old, a former olympian, had 20 fights, and had recently beaten former champ Tate. I'd say he was good opponent for Holmes.

James Smith was coming off a knockout win over undefeated Frank Bruno when Holmes fought him. Against Tyson, he was the beneficiary of a rigged match with Tim Witherspoon, so I don't give his standing much credibility.

Carl Williams never improved much after 1985, and frankly I don't see what it is that you saw to suggest otherwise.

So who else can we list that Tyson beat who Holmes avoided?

 

In Holmes defence on the Tate matter, they were all but signed. If Tate beat Weaver as heavily expected they would have soon been in the ring.

 

He was a young guy compared to Charles 33,Walcott 38,Moore 3 months short of 39 or 42 ,depending on wether you believe Archie or his mother,and Louis 36,anything innacurate about that statement?

 

Holmes was THE HW champion of his day!

Why **** keeps coming up about him ducking this or that person is beyond me.
In my own view, Holmes, personality wise, was one of the biggest a-holes that has ever existed - and that isn't just based on the jockstrap thing, he really was/is an a-hole! However, no person can take away from what he accomplished as a boxer.

Holmes faced many great people on his way to 48-0... you just don't get that kind of a record if you aren't one of the greatest of all time at Holmes' weight division - at that particular time. None of the HWs throw mosquito bites for punches - Holmes faced, and defeated, one of the best hitters in HW boxing history.

For any person to come on here a state Holmes "ducked" anybody is a little silly. Why didn't he duck a guy like Shavers then? I guess he just wanted to prove he was able to take a punch... or some other BS along that line..

Holmes was/is one of the greatest HW champions of all time. Even though he is/was an a-hole, I'd give him a shot (chance to win) against any HW that ever boxed. The guy was a great champ, never one to duck - end of story!

 

Bah. Holmes already exposed Williams, Berbick and Williams. Tyson's team wanted no part of Witherpsoon.

 

Witherspoon was Ko'd in 1 rd by Bonecrusher Smith put on his ass 3 times, why would Tyson's team want no part of him?

 

The reason Witherspoon was put on his ass against Smith WAS BECAUSE, Tyson's team wanted no part of him.

 

1)There would have been Big Money on the table had Holmes fought Tate and unified prior to Tate getting Flattened in the 15th vs Weaver after being ahead.

2)Thomas would have been a mega fight and brought in a lot of $$$$

3)Holmes/Page would have been a decent $$ fight

4)Dokes was a Champion and would have been a good $$$fight

5) Coetzee/Holmes would have been a fight fans fight and South African $$$$ as well as white draw

6)Weaver gave Holmes a tough fight as a trail horse and came back to win a title. Does anyone tell me this fight would not have been a draw

As far as Witherspoon or Williams they were not big names and Holmes was up there in age but the other guys presented a large payday and as a fight fan and a lover of the sport I think there was ample time for at least 3 of the 8 opponents to have fought Holmes. Remember Weaver was just a trial horse until after the Holmes fight. 6 solid contenders or co-champs is just too many for my liking.

 

I'd be more inclined to say King didn't want Witherspoon to have anything to do with any big fight or title shot more than anything else.

 

Did someone seriously suggest Larry Holmes "exposed" Carl Williams ?

I thought "exposing" someone was when you expose them as being incapable of living in the top flight, showing that they were not as good as they'd been built up as.

Larry Holmes did the OPPOSITE of that. He took a lightly-regarded unseasoned Williams and turned him into serious contender, he put Williams about on a par with himself. Those 15 rounds gave Williams a solid reputation.

(Holmes did the same thing with Weaver and Witherspoon)

If Williams was exposed, it was in his next fights. V. Ferguson (decked twice by left hooks) and v.Weaver (knocked out in 2 rounds). And that didn't say much for Holmes either.
Tyson had a re-established Williams beat inside 1 round.

 

Yeah, Exposed in the Holmes world is letting your opponent win seven rounds.

 

Thomas was 31 when he met Tyson ,the last name he had fought ,Berbick beat him by dec,he would never again beat a top fighter.
Tubbs was 30,the last name he had fought ,Witherspoon ,beat him by dec,he would never again beat a top fighter.In 1982 Page lost a udec to Berbick,Holmes had beaten Berbick a year earlier.
In 1984 Holmes threw in the WBC title,Page the no 1 contender met Witherspoon for the title,Witherspoon beat him by dec.Holmes had beaten Witherspoon.Tyson beat three men who had essentially done their best work and whose careers were going down not up.All of them were beaten by men that Holmes had allready defeated,so accusations of ducking are a little specious,imo.