Larry Holmes - What If...

Disagree. Holmes would have won back his title, and offered at least one more title defense.

 

I don't care what the critics think, Holmes legitimately beat both Tim Spoon and Carl Williams in 1983 & '85...... Close fights, but gets the edge / nod in my book.... I own copies of them fights, too....

In truth, Larry Holmes only got screwed in 1986 by the judges in his rematch with Michael Spinks..... That was robbery.....

I never saw his fight with Brian Nielsen, but I heard that Holmes lost a hometown decision in that fight.... Nielsen was lucky there, according to sources....

Larry Holmes honestly lost to both "Holy & McCall."

MR.BILL:bbb

 

And I gave my man Larry Holmes the close shave nod over Maurice Harris back in the 1990s, as well......

MR.BILL

 

Well, it's not so much that he definitely lost those fights... but let's be honest. We all know that in boxing, close fights can go both ways even if it's a close but clear win (like the Norton fight). So in that sense, Holmes had his share of luck to win the Witherspoon, Norton, Williams and Nielsen fights (not that the latter one matters, but still).

The Spinks rematch wasn't that close however, but even then, his legacy already took a huge hit when he legitimately lost the first time, so even if he was screwed, it happened when it had a relatively small impact on his body of work.

 

I've had Holmes as my #4 all time heavy for over a decade. It wouldn't do much for my rankings, as his position would not change. I do think it would be good reason for others to move him up, though.

 

The Brian Nielsen fight was an ugly fight to score. Holmes started out well, but just like in the McCall and Harris fights, he faded down the stretch. Nielsen started applying more pressure, and Holmes started doing his little lounging up against the ropes. Not a total robbery at all in my book!

 

Well, even though guys like Foreman and Holmes were much more healthier in the later stages of life and their career, compared to the likes of "Louis and Ali," they both had some crucial flaws as fighters in their 40s........ Holmes still had skills, but his speed and stamina reduced greatly..... However, Foreman actually improved his level and skill in his 40s, but he too was slow as a snail... Cheers.....

MR.BILL:bbb

 

What if there were even more shitty opponents for "title defenses"... Look out Scott Frank!

 

Scotty Frank was not the greatest of title challengers, but he was tuff and rugged..... He was not a fat slob or a glass-jawed fighter.... Frank at least came to fight against Larry Holmes.... Yes, he whined about being thumbed, but his ass was being kicked, as well....... I at least respect Larry Holmes for remaing active and staying in the spotlight as much as possible, and if that means beating up a "Lesser" fighter, so be it....

I'd rather have my man fighting somebody and remaining sharp in the ring, then having him sidelined and getting soft, and whining that their isn't anybody out there worthy of a title shot.... You know, dickin' around Hollywood film sets is what softened up Jack Dempsey for Gene Tunney in 1926...

Legal battles or not, WBA champ Mike Weaver was never taken seriously because all he did was fight and beat Gerrie Coetzee and James Tillis in the 2 1/2 yrs that he held the title belt in 1980 to the end of '82...... Meanwhile, Larry Holmes was knockin' melon farmers out.... Peace....

MR.BILL:bbb

 

Look out Lucien Rodriguez!

 

And the reason Weaver couldn't defend the title during that timeframe was due to legal issues and just guess which promoter was behind the charges?

 

Whoopy doo tho. He'd already been beaten fairly by a guy about 6-1 underdog and Holmes was certainly no big underdog in the rematch.

Holmes picture had been painted and even if he got the nod in the rematch he wasn't going to be facing anyone of great note as he hadn't for ages.

The Spinks matches do pretty much nothing to Holmes either way in my ranking of him. He had been steadily declining for a long time and someone was going to benefit around the time. That happened to be Spinks. If he was going to add to his legacy he had to go after bigger matches while he was still able instead of taking an easy route but he declined.

Still in all a fine career and i have him #4.

 

I don't think anyone is saying they are robberies tho, but the fact is they could have gone either way as we have seen with hundreds of close fights. Indeed a Williams win would not have impacted Holmes greatly but a loss vs Witherspoon or Norton would have seen a hiccup or two.

 

It wouldn't have been much tho, he's already very high on the vast majority of ATG lists.

 

Ali was regarded a god light years before that.