Prime Holmes vs prime Tyson

Holmes was close to his prime when he fought aprime Tyson

 

Larry is not powerful enough to keep Mike off him. His jab is top notch but Catskill Tyson was one of the best when it came to slipping them. For all the talk about Tyson "struggling" with the jab, that only happened when he became a flat-footed brawler. In his prime he dealt with a variety of good to excellent jabs and nullified all.

Larry puts up a gallant losing effort, probably an 8-4 UD in favor of Tyson. He just doesn't have the tools to deal with that style.

 

Agreed, but Tyson gets him out of there.

Now you can all talk about opposition, but it's styles. And Mike's is ALL WRONG for Larry's.

 

The actual fight is a true representation. Holmes never faced a finisher like Tyson. Tyson at his prime has all the tools to beat Larry.

 

Holmes was nowhere near his prime when he fought Tyson. 38 years old and coming off a near two year lay off ??

Holmes was stupid in taking that fight at that point in his career. Especially without a tune up.

 

Larry Holmes was at least 5, and closer to 10, years past his prime when he faced Tyson.

It's an interesting fight. I'd favour Holmes because he had that bit extra, in terms of being able to adapt and for pushing through when the going gets tough later in a fight.
I'm not sure why people say Tyson had the style to beat prime Holmes.
Holmes was a damn sight better than Tillis and Tucker at doing exactly what they did to nick a few rounds off Tyson ... much much better than them, and 100% dedicated to winning and hurting his opponents.

 

Same result

 

In a 15 round fight, a Prime Holmes would stop Prime Tyson late.

 

He wouldn't last that long with Mike.

 

Holmes wins prime for Prime.

 

As great is Larry was he was a sucker for a great right hand. Although Holmes had a great jab his fundamental flaw was that he dropped his left hand too much. Tyson was too relentless. 15 rounder is more interesting imo I mean Holmes' ability to recuperate was unreal. Tyson was too quick and powerful Tyson TKO 7.

 

Yeah that's how I see it. I don't see why a prime Holmes wouldn't get caught with the right again and stopped again. shavers and Mercado caught him fine with it. Tyson could finish anyone off after hurting them.

 

This sums things up. Holmes was too hittable even at his peak to beat a guy with the quickest, most explosive hands the division had seen since Joe Louis. Strange how Tyson gets criminally underrated these days. From '86-'89 he was absolute dynamite.

 

prime 30 year old holmes would need to rethink his usual combative self and get to run as well as apply his cageyness to max to win this, but he has the tools, theres no doubt.

At 38 he was actually doing not bad until he got careless and showboaty (and was probably finding he wouldn't be able to run for 12 rounds).