Larry Holmes Vs. Smokin Joe

This would be a hard, hard fight for both men. Could go either way.

At their respective peaks, I would go with Frazier to win a very, very close decision.

 

A prime Frazier would get underneath Holmes enough times to pound out a decision. But he would take a shellacking along the way.

 

I am a huge Frazier phan, but this is a tough match-up for him. I always envision Foreman & Liston as the worst stylistic match for him, but just outside of that I have lewis and Holmes. I could see this going either way, I would probably lean towards a very close decision in Joe's favor...but I wouldn't bet the house on it...or any money either!

 

Holmes was typically troubled by right handed fighters more than anything else. His lengthy reach and jabbing ability would keep Frazier at bay at least some of the time, and his powerful right uppercut could be treachurous for Joe on the inside or up against the ropes. Joe's persistance, workrate, handspeed and power would make for some pretty exciting moments and Larry would have his hands full. Holmes however, was a man who had some of the best recuperative powers in the division's history, was well accustomed to going 15 rounds, and survived the power of Earnie Shavers, Gerry Cooney, Tim Witherspoon, James Smith, Ken Norton, Mike Weaver and Ray Mercer.

I'm going with Holmes by decision or even late stoppage on the right night.

 

I will go with Frazier here because I dont see Holmes being quite fleet enough of foot to keep away or quite fast enough to consistently beat Frazier to the punch.

I honestly think that the Frazier of the FOTC is pure poison for any clasic boxer.

 

Check it out mate. Holmes was pretty quick at his best

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cVkSb6vjUM

 

Tough call. As we know, holmes had the best overall jab in the divisions history. Not only that, but he was also a master of manuvering his opponents with the left arm, keeping them off balance. He also had good speed and power, particularly with the uppercut.

In frazier, however, he would be facing someone who was strong, had endless heart and stamina, and had one of the best hooks ever. While holmes was more susceptible to right hands than hooks, I think that fraziers pressure would make a difference. Frazier MADE his foes fight him by imposing his will on them and discouraging them by taking everything that they threw at him.

Larry would build an early lead with him jab and movement, but by the 6th round "smokin Joe" would be fully warmed up and begin to take control of the fight. He would slowly grind holmes down to the point where legs would become tired, making him a more stationary target. He would then be forced to slug, giving as good as he got but taking a steady body beating in the process.

With the fight being even after 10 rounds and holmes wiltering under unrelenting pressure, holmes begins to fall apart and frazier comes on strong, eventually scoring a tko in round 13 of one of the greatest fights in heavyweight history.

 

Fraizer beats holmes down. Probably a UD, maybe late round stoppage. I don't think Larry could take the pressure.

 

A great fight ...exceptional.. I like Joe over 15, maybe Larry over 12 ...

 

Larry could do a little bit of everything, but I don't think he did any one thing well enough to hold off or neutralize Frazier.

I'd take Frazier by decision, possibly late-round TKO, in a fight that resembles the first with Ali.

 

:good

My thoughts exactly. His inside work, and use of angles spelled doom to pure boxers.

 

Holmes never had problems with short-armed fighters. Even when he was past his best against Tyson, he did relatively okay when he boxed. Any fighter who has to come to Holmes gets eaten up.
Frazier is an irresistible force. He always comes forward and takes punches to give them. His constant pressure and deceptively quick hands wears his opponents down.
Frazier would pay a big price just to get inside of Holmes' jab. I see a tough fight, but I think Holmes would stop a puffy faced Frazier late.

 

Frazier actually has relatively long arms for his height. That's how he was able to jab with a lot of taller opponents, including Ali.