Prime Holmes in the 90s

Likewise - fair enough - and I know that Holmes has more chance of having a 96-fight-win-streak, between now and 2040, than me introducing anything to the discussion that might shift that position.

 

Cheers, my friend!

 

I think having Larry in the '90s could have only made the decade even better.

But, his career path would have been notably different since, with Holyfield as the Champion, Holmes would have been on the rise, alongside Bowe and Lewis; probably at a rate comparatively faster than the early stages of his actual run, between 73-78.

As such, I think he'd have been facing better opponents, earlier. Not too far in, he might have been needing to face the likes of an off-prime Thomas, Tubbs or Biggs.

There's a good chance that he'd have been needing to face a level of opposition like that of Ruddock, Tucker or Morrison, in only his third or fourth year as a pro. He might well have been required to beat either Bowe or Lewis for a shot at the Title.

Thus, to my mind, there's a few levels of competition in the '90s that Holmes didn't have to go through to get to Norton (and, to be fair, Lewis didn't have too much of a severe start, either). I kind of see Shavers 1 for Holmes like Ruddock was for Lewis - it's just that Lewis was hitting this level in less pro fights and two years earlier than Holmes.

Bowe's early days were impressive, overall - and, he would have been the danger man for Holmes in the first half of the decade - of that I am convinced. I also think, had a prime Holmes been facing an older but wiser and resurgent Holyfield in the mid-90s (as opposed to in '92), it would have made for a much more intriguing bout.

The match-making and timing would have been key to Holmes' success at the top but, if Holmes had been prepared to remove the shackles from his willingness to rematch, this would have been just an extraordinary period.

 

He would be the dominant champ.only bowe and Lewis would push him close .rules with a rod of iron

 

Great post. I agree, the Bowe who beat Holyfield would give Larry a lot of trouble; for one, Bowe was such a big man and liked coming forward a LOT. Larry would have had to be on his A game all the way: fast foot and hand work, evasive tactics, using the big uppercut more than usual...

I find your assertion re: an older Holy really interesting. I have just been so impressed by the Holy who first lost to Bowe that I paid less attention to those mid-90s years (besides his bad times against Bowe III and Moorer). I'm intrigued enough to give those years another watch.