Larry Holmes's all time placement?

Thanks for a sterling effort Chris.

I am off to bed now, but will respond with a few concessions and counter-arguments tomorrow am, time permitting!

 

It shows Lewis could bring out a great performance at various stages of his career under the gun. Lets take Dempsey for example say. Lewis was dangerous and winning in world title fights for a full decade, 22 fights and up until the age of 38. He retired with the title. By comparison Jack was winning in title fights for just 7 years while getting the last 3 free due to not fighting. Age 31. 7 fights. Lewis' longevity and ability to beat the best over many years must be recognised.

 

Rocky Marciano, Lennox Lewis, Joe Frazier, Joe Louis, Tim Witherspoon, and sometimes Walcott.

 

It doesn't offend me, but how to you see him besides just having a great jab? He's proved to age very well, beat a top fighter of the 90's extremely convincingly, gave prime Holyfield and McCall hell, IMO deserved the decision over Neilson (I had it 7-5).

 

Yes, but Holmes got 20 defences in during 7 years, Joe got 25 in during 11 years. What do you think Holmes could have done holding the belt 4 more years?

 

His speed was the main thing that eroded. He was still the fastest one out there IMO, but his speed was only about 70% of what it was in 1982. His legs were gone too, thats why a lot of times he acctually counter punched, like against Bey.

 

But he didn't, and to bring up an old wound Louis took on all comers and gave rematches for the title.

 

Yes, but he had a bum of the month club, did he not? Holmes took on all comers too, just because he didn't unify, doesn't mean he ducked them. No one else in Larry's era unifyed, does that mean they were ducking each other? IMO its just pinned down on Larry because he was the best of the era.

 

Still fought everyone, and Larry had plenty of bums too.

 

'

Larry had about 2. Scott Frank (Larry him self knew he was a bum, but got 5 mill for it ) and David Bey, the rest proved to be pretty good. Marvis Frazier wasn't a bum, just got completely beat down by Larry and Tyson.

 

Add

Zanon
LeDoux
Jones
Rodriguez


and don't forget the reps of Witherspoon, Snipes and Weaver coming in. Marvis had a mere 10 fights Bill and was small.

 

Marvis didn't have that many career fights though. He had 11 more fights, winning 10. His career was almost half over by the time he fought Larry. Jones wasn't a bum, he had pretty quick hands and was somewhat of good fighter. Touche on the rest though.

 

Bill, what sort of fighters career is half over after 10 fights. Better still what sort of fighter is in any condition after just 10 fights to fight one of the greatest ever? Frazier's problem was that papa Joe rushed him to the point of patheticism. It was frigging terrible really. Talk about a taskmaster.