Larry Holmes: Revisionist Historian

Yeah, that was Jimmy Jacobs. Tyson was still fuming about how Holmes had attacked his character in the build up, and wanted to tell Larry where to get off in no uncertain terms.
Jacobs was mortified at the thought, and 'suggested' (more like ordered) to Tyson he show Holmes respect in the interview.
What Tyson was saying and what he was thinking were two totally different things.

 

Holmes is so arrogant

He basically builds up those who he beat and freaking hates Tyson. Saying that Ken Norton and Butterbean hit harder than Tyson is laughable.

And what is up with his obsession with Foreman?

 

Holmes is Jealous of Foreman but he has to remember Big George is likeable to the public....his smile and success at a later age and he has a friendly personality...never talks smut.....George was also a sponser for products Mieneke and others and a commentor...Larry wanted to fill Georges shoes but did not have it. Larry always exhuded anger and bitterness...Yet he was one of the most connected and guided and protected fighter...Just look over the top 10 ratings of his era and see how many fighters he avoided....Foreman fought a lot of fighters but would tell you right on tv.."I am not fighting Lennox Lewis, he hits too hard".....George was loved as a humble and redeemed man...true or not, this is the way the public perceived him....Larry always had a poisen mouth and was jealous of Ali and wanted to jump in his shoes without being worthy...He was jealous of Cooney but It was white America(not boxing fans) who liked Cooney in that role...nothing wrong with that. Black Americans voted for Obama pretty strongly....Larry came off like **** to the public

 

Holmes in his prime would beat Tyson, more mobility and stronger Jab.Hell, he got up from Shavers, so no thought he could do it against Tyson if he wanted too.

 

I agree with this. I've never bought into the Holmes knew he was going to get beaten by Tyson bull****. He was a clever man,so there's no way that he would only have trained for a month before the Tyson fight. He was dumb for not taking a tune up or two first,though.

 

I don't know how a prime for prime match would go, although I'd lean toward Holmes. But I don't care if Holmes trained a month, 6 months, or 20 months, he was past prime by a good stretch. This fight is in no way indicative of a prime for prime matchup. It's a good win. Tyson beat an experienced, cagey, well past it, ATG. Maybe similar to Marciano beating Louis.

 

My respect for Holmes is greater when he just keeps his mouth shut.

 

Most fighters are full of excuses. There are few who aren't. I think it's telling for example how LaMotta claims that Robinson had no punch and only fatigue kept Jake from finishing their last fight. He clearly didn't want to give Ray his due.

Even a guy like Joe Louis, who is known as modest, seems to have had trouble aknowledging that he thought Walcott won their first fight. I think his explanation for leaving the ring seems a bit constructed, especially since he right after the fight reportedly said something to the effect that the ref (who had Walcott winning) knew his scoring.

Therefore, I think it's refreshing with a guy like Leonard who admits Hearns beat him in the rematch and also that he deliberaty set up the rematch with Duran soon enough after the first so that Roberto still would feel the effects of his partying.

Who are the fighters who could man up and admit they lost, even close fights? Aside from Leonard, the only ones I can think of is Norton and Shavers.

 

:good
Holmes was a great fighter but he just never could stop himself from saying what he felt. Most of the time I could understand where Larry was coming from. He was a seriously great fighter and in his mind nobody was taking him seriously.

Often no doubt irritated by the ignorance of an interviewer (who had lapped up everything the last champion had said) he would say angry things. In his mind, as champion, Larry felt he deserved Ali’s level of attention but the reality was it was impossible to compete with a champion who transcended the sport during the civil rights era.

I accepted Larry had an enormous chip on his shoulder and was very bitter. (It possibly gave him that drive and edge to stay sharp in the ring?).

Usually I could excuse Holmes, even for the “jockstrap gate” scandal but there were times where I could not excuse his words. The worst thing I remember was when he was very racist towards David Bey. He looked genuinely disgusted with Bey when he called him a “half breed”. Like I say, he was a great fighter but he said stupid things in anger.

 

Seconded

 

The only thing Larry Holmes does better than put his fist in someone elses mouth is when he puts his foot in his own mouth.

 

Bummy Davis is right on when he posted that Holmes is jealous of Foreman...and he lacks Big George's smarts when it comes to reinventing himself..and George just has a better personality..this probably irks Larry no end..plus of course, George's reascension to the heavyweight title happened and nobody was ever able to humble him...even deck him..in his second go 'round..I've hedged several times as to who I feel would have won a latter day matchup between Holmes and Foreman..but one thing's for sure, I'd sure be rooting for Foreman.

 

Not to mention Holmes fought a 15 round exhibition a few weeks before entering training for Tyson. Holmes like most fighters was full of ****

 

larry holmes can suck my jockstrap supported ****...