Larry Holmes v. Lennox Lewis (in their primes)

I will join you in your pick and go with Larry Holmes by a close decision. I think that his boxing skills, speed, stamina, chin, heart, and reasonable size perameters ( though a tad smaller than Lewis ), will amount to coming out on top on the cards.

I will say however, that he would have to show up in top form such as the way that he did for the Cooney, L. Spinks, and Berbick fights. If he shows up complacent or lazy like he did in the Snipes fight, he isn't going to beat Lennox Lewis.

 

Holmes on points, better boxer & a bit tougher too + that jab, awesome, I think that jab will work wonders at keeping LL at bay for a nice close but clear technical boxing victory.

 

This all depends on what is considered to be Lennox Lewis' prime. I never thought Lennox actually had prime years fighting because he always seemed to be evolving and getting better as his career progressed. Young Lennox was more of a raw power boxer type who didn't rely on much footwork. Later in his career as he called himself a "pugilistic specialist," Lennox would use the ring more with footwork and defense.

Perhaps the best version of Lennox would be the fighter who fought Holyfield the first time, Michael Grant or his victory over Golota. Lennox wasn't in his prime when he fought Mike Tyson.

As for a fight with prime Larry Holmes, prime vs prime, I think it would be a battle of jabs with some serious right hands landed by both fighters. I'd favour Holmes in a close UD win because he was technically a better boxer than Lewis.

 

This is a tough fight to call. Common sense would suggest Lennox Lewis to me, because he has the big advantage in Reach and size. And it is also unlikely that Holmes would knock him out. But, Lennox has never fought anyone who fights like Holmes (at least none i can think of). Holmes jab would beat Lennox and Lennox may not know what to do. I think that i would favour Holmes to grit his teeth and eek out a controversial close decision (he has experience in winning these).

 

Holmes outjabs Lewis to a close 12 round decision.

I believe Lewis himself went up to Holmes many a time asked Holmes to teach him how to throw Holmes' monster jab.

Holmes always denied his request, citing Lewis as a possible opponent.

Nowadays at his gym, he'll teach anyone who wants to know.

 

Larrry takes a majority decision.

 

Lewis IMO.

 

I've always liked Holmes' chances. The better jab is the key.

 

12 rounder- Lewis
15 - Homes SD
Regarding to Renaldo Snipes fight i must say that Lennox has a majority chances to KO Larry.

 

Holmes: narrow UD.

 

Lewis in his prime had a pretty good jab, plus he mastered the art of fighting tall. It would be a difficult fight to pick. Maybe Holmes jabs his way into fightin closer to Lewis and gives him fits.

 

Lewis UD

 

I often think about this match up. My thoughts are this:

Lennox has 2 inches and about 30 pounds on Holmes (Prime Holmes was about 215 give or take a few pounds)

Lennox fought and beat the better competition but you can't really hold this against Holmes as his era was just not as strong he beat everyone they put in front of him.

Holmes was probably the more well rounded fighter

Lennox also had a good jab and knew how and when to clinch effectively and put all of his weight on the opponent how would this effect Holmes in a long fight?

I tend to think that Lennox would beat Holmes. I just think his skills and size would take over for a big man Lennox was really skilled and he fought a smart disciplined fight the majority of the time Holmes had a tendency to get wild in there which could hurt him against a man with the size and skills of Lennox Lewis.

 

If Larry stepped out from a time machine to fight Lennox, it would mean an exceedingly close fight which could go either way. The reason is that whatever edge Holmes would have in skills might be cancelled out by Lewis' size advantage. Lewis might blow Larry out, but when one thinks of the Holyfield fights a decision win for Larry is quite possible.

If Larry matured during Lennox's era, he would definitely be heavier without losing much of his speed and reflexes. Of course, he would have the same skill. Such a Holmes would be a favourite to outpoint Lewis, IMO.