Lennox Lewis and Larry Holmes at 38

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by ironchamp, Aug 20, 2010.


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  1. ironchamp

    ironchamp Boxing Addict Full Member

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    This is not about Lewis VS Holmes.

    This is to compare both fighters at the same age.

    I realize this thread has been done before but lets try to get a consensus.

    At age 38 Lewis was seemingly at the tail end of his career after just beating Tyson retirement talks were already in progress but he was at that point just looking for paydays.

    His fight with Klitschko showed that he had clearly slowed down although some could argue that Vitaly contributed to his lackluster performance.

    As for Holmes at 38 he was retired (briefly) and had come back into the ring after a hiatus to face Mike Tyson. It didn't bode well for him.

    Although Lennox never fought onwards Larry did and beat an undefeated Ray Mercer 4 years later, fought competitively with a prime Holyfield and in 1995 almost won the WBC title from Oliver McCall who had taken the title from Lennox Lewis.

    At this point we are speculating but if Lennox hadn't retired from the sport; given his size strength and power did he have enough in the tank to have done better than Holmes post age 38?

    Basically who was the better 38 year old and had Lennox continued who would have been the better post 38 year old.
     
    ironchamp, Aug 20, 2010
    ironchamp, Aug 20, 2010
    #1
  2. Son of Gaul

    Son of Gaul Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Larry Holmes UD.
     
    Son of Gaul, Aug 20, 2010
    Son of Gaul, Aug 20, 2010
    #2
  3. lefthook31

    lefthook31 Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    I think Holmes style and chin were better suited for him to be more successful. Larry always maintained his jab and decent movement, whereas Lewis seemed to become a little easier to hit. I wouldnt think Lewis would have been as successful as Holmes if he stayed in the sport.
     
    lefthook31, Aug 20, 2010
    lefthook31, Aug 20, 2010
    #3
  4. spion

    spion Active Member Full Member

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    Holmes didn't lose much in the speed department and his jab was still good as ever.

    Holmes
     
    spion, Aug 20, 2010
    spion, Aug 20, 2010
    #4
  5. AnthonyJ74

    AnthonyJ74 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Lewis was better at 38. Holmes lost a lot of speed and timing. Post 38, Larry's jab wasn't all that. He was tricky and cagey, but his core skills were so so.
     
    AnthonyJ74, Aug 20, 2010
    AnthonyJ74, Aug 20, 2010
    #5
  6. ironchamp

    ironchamp Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Looks like Lennox Has the Edge.
     
    ironchamp, Aug 23, 2010
    ironchamp, Aug 23, 2010
    #6
  7. Bill1234

    Bill1234 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think Holmes had lost more than Lewis had by age 38, and I think Lewis was better at 38, but Holmes was more suited to fight well into his 40's than Lewis would have been.

    If Lewis had continued to fight I think Holmes would have had more left and been better at 42 or 45 than Lewis would have been.
     
    Bill1234, Aug 23, 2010
    Bill1234, Aug 23, 2010
    #7
  8. Muchmoore

    Muchmoore Guest

    Why do you think that?
     
    Muchmoore, Aug 23, 2010
    Muchmoore, Aug 23, 2010
    #8
  9. Bill1234

    Bill1234 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think Holmes was just more suited to fight flatfooted in a corner or on the ropes when he needed to than Lewis was. I think he was more cagey and had a few more tricks in his book than Lewis did, so he was able to pull more things out of his hat to get a win.

    I just have a feeling that Lewis was going to go downhill faster than Holmes was around a certain age (probably about 39 or 40).
     
    Bill1234, Aug 23, 2010
    Bill1234, Aug 23, 2010
    #9
  10. Muchmoore

    Muchmoore Guest

    I got to disagreee, Lewis was a superheavy who relied on physicality. That doesn't decline with age like reflexes/speeed which are big things which Holmes relied on.

    Lewis was out of shape and at a career highest weight and he still tore Vitalis face (Vitali was the next recognized champ) into burger. See?
     
    Muchmoore, Aug 23, 2010
    Muchmoore, Aug 23, 2010
    #10
  11. Bill1234

    Bill1234 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yes Lewis relied on physicality and his size, which was never going to go away, but he was also going to get slower and his stamina was going to get worse and worse, and being such a physical fighter takes good stamina.
     
    Bill1234, Aug 23, 2010
    Bill1234, Aug 23, 2010
    #11
  12. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    As a big Holmes fan it pains me to say this, if both were 38, I think Lewis knocks Holmes out. Holmes lost his legs and speed when he returned to face Tyson.
     
    Mendoza, Aug 24, 2010
    Mendoza, Aug 24, 2010
    #12
  13. ironchamp

    ironchamp Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Now that we got head to head out of the way.

    If you took Lewis at 38 and threw him in a HW Tourney which lasted 4 years
    and you took Holmes at 38 and threw him in a tourney which lasted 4 years who would fare better.

    Say they had to fight:

    W. Klitschko (2005 version)
    Pinklon Thomas (1984 version)
    David Tua (1997 version)
    Tim Witherspoon (1984 version)
    Mike Tyson (1988 version)
    V. Klitschko (2003 version)
    Ike Ibeabuchi (1999 version)
    Hasim Rahman (2001 version)
    Ray Mercer (1991 version)
    Tony Tucker (1987 version)
    Chris Byrd (2002 version)
    Oliver McCall (1995 version)

    Pick whatever order you think would suit either fighter to their best advantage. Remember at the start of the tournament they are 38 and at the end of the tourney they are 42. Who ends up with a better record; Lennox Lewis or Larry Holmes?
     
    ironchamp, Aug 24, 2010
    ironchamp, Aug 24, 2010
    #13
  14. lefthook31

    lefthook31 Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Id say its pretty dead even. I think they both do pretty poorly against this opposition and the one main factor is Lewis's chin which will probably have him losing more by KO so I have Holmes doing better winning or lasting in more fights by decision..
     
    lefthook31, Aug 24, 2010
    lefthook31, Aug 24, 2010
    #14
  15. ironchamp

    ironchamp Boxing Addict Full Member

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    So you see Holmes faring better?
     
    ironchamp, Aug 24, 2010
    ironchamp, Aug 24, 2010
    #15
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