Larry Holmes vs Wladimir Klitschko

Larry.

 

I'm giving this one a surprising amount of thought, considering that Holmes is #4 on my ATG list.

 

Holmes stoppage.

I don't think Wlad can outjab him, because they had basically the same reach, Holmes had a quicker and overall probably better jab anyway, but I think he'd cause Wlad problems with his foot work.

I think he'd be able to stop Wlad, Holmes had under-rated power. It was very solid indeed. I think he puts him on the canvas once maybe twice and it's stopped around 10. Knockdowns come curtisy of either a sneak right uppercut or the overhand right.

 

Holmes with a better jab, speed, footwork, ring generalship, stamina and recouperative abilities.

 

Larry Holmes stoppage

 

Holmes had way more than a jab, he had a chin for a start

 

I like Wlad by close decision. I'm talking peak here. I don't see a 210 pound Holmes stopping Wlad as most voted, when it took guys weighing 225 pounds or more with significant more power than Holmes to stop him.

 

I am going to pick Holmes' jab, footwork, chin, and proven stamina in long range fights to attain a decision over Wladimir Klitschko. A pre-Steward Wlad would probably get stopped late on cuts, but after polishing his skills, I think we're going to see a 12 or 15 round jab fest in which both men are more or less playing it safe.

Holmes by a close verdict on the cards in what would probably be an uneventful evening.

 

Holmes via Decision.

 

It could go both ways.... i think the 2001-2005 Wlad would be equal money with Holmes.


Holmes has the faster jab, but Wlad has a bit more range (being 3 inches taller) and has great timing. Klitschko also has a great right hand, hard, powerful and accurate, which Holmes was a bit susceptible to. However, Larry took a great shot and although not a big hitter himself, he had very good stamina and good power. So, a scenario in which Wlad tires past the 10th and gets stopped on exhaustion (not dissimilar to the Cooney fight) is very possible as well.

I'd like to see how Wlad's career pans out, as well as those of some of his opponents, before making a definite judgment. The fact that Holmes is a "pure" boxer makes this a very hard match for him to win, from a stylistic point of view. But at this moment, Holmes is more proven so i'd give him the edge, even if a slight one.

 

I suspect anyone voting for Waldo is

a) born after 1980
and
b) from East of the Rhine

 

lol I'm neither. In fact, I am not a fan of Klitschko at all.

 

Holmes has so much more to his game/in his locker than Wladimir does. Still, in a purely stylistic sense who knows, but i think that Larry wins, even if he has to dig deep he will.