Larry Holmes vs. Wladimir Klitschko.

I am not sure. Larry never had to face a guy that big with a good jab and strong. I think maybe Vlad edge it on his size. If Larry were the same height and weight, he would beat Vlad up and stop him in the late rounds, but I think Vlad beats the Larry Holmes who fought Cooney. Hard to say this since I love Larry, but Vlad is just big and solid.

 

Lennox is the only guy of that bunch I see having an easy time with Vlad. A young Mike would be interesting, but Vlad is such a big guy. The size is the thing which makes Vlad and Vitali so effective. Their skill is top notch, but those two together and it is hard to beat them.

 

Just like David Haye was Koed in 6 rounds?

Out of the 2 of them, Wlad has been knocked out more times than Holmes. And Holmes boxed into his 50s.....the only guy to stop him was Iron Mike Tyson.

Pull Wladmirs ***** from your lips and think straight for a minute

 

Holmes avoided Page and gave up a title not to fight him, Holmes avoided Thomas, would not fight Coetzee or rematch or unify Weaver after a life and death fight, He did not even think of Tate and used promotional issues not to fight Dokes,and I think we are all in agreement that Vlad is far better than any in this group.... What makes you think if Larry was Champion he would fight Klitschko, the right hand bomber...I think Larry waits for him to get picked off

 

Just out of curiosity where do you rank Holmes among the top heavyweights?

 

You need to remember in those days the hwt championship was splinted like never before or since. Fights between the various paper champions were not happening as often. Each was in their little world so to speak. A champion of one association was not even listed in another....and so on.

Holmes had that all time jab. He always was able to best everyone with it opening up opponents to his other blows. I see this fight going no different. Holmes faster jab beat Wlad to the punch again and again. Wlad starts pressing harder to land his shots and then runs into Holmes right. I see this fight going similar to his bout with Cooney...just shorter. By round 9 Wlad is a chopped up mess. Right hand drops him and as typical he gets off the floor with that "I quit"look in his eye. Follow up shot see Wlad fall, as typical, in sections where the fight is stopped. Holmes by Tko in round 9.

 

I have not really done a really thought out ratings in a while but off the top of my head Holmes fits somewhere in the lower top 10 or on the outskirts depending how far back in history you want to go...If I keep Holmes higher I have to also keep Dempsey higher because i penalized Dempsey for Wills but because I forgive Holmes for many of his avoidances I have to give Jack the same consideration.

There are only 10 spots in the top 10 so it is hard. I think Holmes was a talented guy and well conditioned (something that was rare in his era) but not unifying, rematching tough fights, and weak opposition (inexperienced opponents 10 fights,12 fights,13 fights,14fights 2x, 15+16 fights add to a weak resume, it is the timing of fights that can be an issue. Giving up a title not to fight Greg Page was disturbing and there were big money matches and windows of opportunity to fight Thomas,Weaver,Coetzee, Dokes,Tate (to unify) and rematches with Norton,Williams and Witherspoon and I remember wanting to see those fights

 

atsch

 

Holmes had a flawed jab, often shot from his waist and brought back to the same position. Fast and nice, but led to vulnerability.

Wlad has a better jab. Yes, a better jab. Stronger, more correct, also damn fast and holds distance with incredible effectiveness. It is almost impossible to step inside against this jab because he holds it half cocked and can resend it with triphammer speed. Guys have to shoot outside of it or from an angle to get to his chin.

Wlad's jab controls Holmes, who can not set up his own jab with any consistency. One round follows the next in almost identical fashion. Holmes presses (when does Wlad press by the way?) and takes more punishment before getting tied up.

Wlad 12UD.

 

Its damn near 50/50. I just feel Larry is more versatile.

 

larry was a vastly underrated champ! would have had a bit to much savvy! close but UD

 

cheers bud :good I have him around 8/9. Don't get me wrong, he was a great fighter, but like you've pretty my he'd summed up in this post he could gave been a lot greater. Saying that if he had took on a rematch with spoon, who's to say he wouldn't of got dethroned? It does slightly baffle me when I see him placed at 3. I honestly feel if you put him that high then Marciano has to be either 1,2 or 4, but that 3rd spot is an absolute ***** sometimes.

 

^ this

 

Were Larry a KO puncher this might be pertinent. Please try again.

 

No, he's not. He would be happy to take an ugly decision.