Peak Muhammad Ali Vs Peak Larry Holmes -How Close Is It?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Dec 14, 2025.


Who wins?

  1. Ali

    30 vote(s)
    88.2%

  2. Holmes

    4 vote(s)
    11.8%
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  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Both at their true peaks
    Ali (66-67) Williams/Terrell era
    Holme's (78-80) Norton/ Shavers era

    15 rounds, neutral judges , no hometown judging

    Is this a close fight iyo?
     
    Fergy, Dec 14, 2025
    Fergy, Dec 14, 2025
    #1
    mcvey likes this.
  2. KO KIDD

    KO KIDD Loyal Member Full Member

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    I think Ali wins but Holmes is very competitive
     
    KO KIDD, Dec 14, 2025
    KO KIDD, Dec 14, 2025
    #2
    ManassaMahler, InMemoryofJakeLamotta, SgrRyLeonard and 3 others like this.
  3. SouthpawsRule

    SouthpawsRule Well-Known Member Full Member

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    VERY close match, I think Ali pulls it off somehow but I wouldn’t bet a penny on it.
     
    SouthpawsRule, Dec 14, 2025
    SouthpawsRule, Dec 14, 2025
    #3
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  4. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    :thumbsup:
     
    Fergy, Dec 14, 2025
    Fergy, Dec 14, 2025
    #4
  5. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    dreadful fight. Both guys hated to be jabbed at. Both guys had great jabs. Both had great chins. Both were quick.

    Ali's faster hands will enable him to land more combos. Ali also has more punching variety.

    But Holmes's speed and jab will allow him to win probably 5-7 rounds in a 15 rounder. Even Ali couldn't sustain his full speed for 15 rounds.

    Close fight but no chance of a knockout or probably even a knockdown. Two guys with similar styles. Not an exciting fight but a close one.
     
    dmt, Dec 14, 2025
    dmt, Dec 14, 2025
    #5
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  6. cslb

    cslb Puerto Rican Uppercut Full Member

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    I think Ali’s superior movement and hand speed would enable him to win a clear decision.
     
    cslb, Dec 14, 2025
    cslb, Dec 14, 2025
    #6
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  7. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Razor thin split decision in favor of Ali.
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Dec 14, 2025
    MaccaveliMacc, Dec 14, 2025
    #7
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  8. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    I'm not sure it would be a boring fight as such .
    It wouldn't be a slugfest.
    Not a one sided clinic and not a safety first some jab only fights.
    Neither Holmes or Ali would be passive, both were competitive.
    I can see it being quiet absorbing in it's own way tbh.
     
    Fergy, Dec 14, 2025
    Fergy, Dec 14, 2025
    #8
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  9. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Agreed mac.
    Peak Muhammad is faster than Holmes in hand speed, foot speed and reaction time.
    Holmes jab is elite but Ali is quick enough to beat it to the target early, and make Larry have reset more than he likes.
    That's how I see Ali nicking it.
     
    Fergy, Dec 14, 2025
    Fergy, Dec 14, 2025
    #9
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  10. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    9-6 or 8-1-6
     
    JohnThomas1, Dec 14, 2025
    JohnThomas1, Dec 14, 2025
    #10
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  11. Robbi

    Robbi Marvelous Full Member

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    Close fight.

    Yes, both had trouble with good jabbers (Ali with Norton and Young; Holmes with Witherspoon and Williams) and preferred to play the role of the matador rather than the aggressor.

    No knockout happening here.

    Ali on points, just.
     
    Robbi, Jan 18, 2026
    Robbi, Jan 18, 2026
    #11
    Greg Price99 likes this.
  12. Smoochie

    Smoochie Combat sports fanatic Full Member

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    Ali points
     
    Smoochie, Jan 18, 2026
    Smoochie, Jan 18, 2026
    #12
  13. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    Not as close as many here would think.
     
    swagdelfadeel, Jan 18, 2026
    swagdelfadeel, Jan 18, 2026
    #13
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  14. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    What is prime Ali? The guy who beat on a punching bag named Cleveland Williams? That didn't do much for me. The guy who couldn't keep pace with Frazier? As far as results, for me, it is the guy who defused Foreman and found a way to win. I'll take that guy to beat any version of Holmes.
     
    Seamus, Jan 18, 2026
    Seamus, Jan 18, 2026
    #14
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  15. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 OFFICIAL THREAD DIDDLER banned Full Member

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    depends on what you define as peak Ali.
     
    Mandela2039, Jan 18, 2026
    Mandela2039, Jan 18, 2026
    #15
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