Prime Larry Holmes Vs Prime Joe Frazier???

Frazier by stoppage 12th

 

Frazier by clear decision. Holmes wouldnt be able to keep up with his workrate.

 

Holmes close UD15 after being dropped one or even two times.

 

In my opinion, people read too much into the fight of the century when sizing up Frazier to Holmes. Ali was off for more than 3 years before fighting Joe, and would later beat him twice, despite being past his prime. Also, I don't think that Holmes was as susceptible to the left hook, the way that Ali was, and in fact, was far more vulnerable to the right. Frazier didn't have much of a right hand. I could also see Holmes blinding and frustrating Joe by constantly having his left hand extended in Frazier's face all night long. In addition, Frazier was vulnerable to the right uppercut as seen in the Foreman figtht. Now, I'm not going to try and make an argument that Holmes's uppercut was anything like Foreman's, but let's just say that it was lethal. If Joe lunged forward, and cornered Larry on the ropes, he would be wide open for that shot, and might even get floored. This would be a tuff fight for Larry, but I think he'd pull it off by a comfortable decision.

 

On the surface Frazier has the style advantage over Holmes. If we examine the tendencies the advantage is not as big as one would initially think. In fact the reverse is true.

Holmes himself was a good in-fighter with an uppercut ( works vs Swarmers ) and a great out fighter with a power jab that snapped heads back and a right cross that could finsh fighters. A hard jab makes it tough for the shorter man to get indside, and if the jabber can throw the right hand behind it, there will be some trouble. Ali made Frazier look easy to hit at times. So did Foreman. I don't think Holmes would have trouble at short ot long range landing on Frazier. Holmes certianly hit hard enough to floor Frazier.

In addition, Holmes was far stronger. Fraizer could be tied up in clinches. In the battle of the network stars, Frazier was embarrassed by non power athletes in a bar bell press. In fact I think Frazier was next to last in the event. While weight room strength is not punching power, there is a translation to weight room strenght and clinching. Ali had no problem clinching Frazier. Holmes could do the same.

The reason Fraizer did well vs Ali is Ali fell into this Frazier's trap by resting on the ropes. Ali did not go to the body much either to slow Frazier down. Holmes did not have Ali's low guard either which is how one gets nailed by hooks. Certain fighters are susceptible to certain punches. With Ali it was the hook, which Frazier had, with Holmes it was the right hand which Frazier did not feature.

Frazier to me did much better vs guys closer to his height...Ellis, Chavalo, Quarry. Frazier took taller fighters with solid skills like Bugner the distance. Frazier took a while to gain the lead and TKO Mathis. Holmes is far better than these two.

My best guess, Holmes TKO 9 over Frazier.

 

China chin Joe and Mediocre Holmes are above Tyson in virtually everyones all-time great heavyweight lists. I'd comfortably say around 80% of people who are knowledgeable on boxing would put Tyson behind both.

Tyson was sublime for around 3 years against decent opposition then fell from the cliff face first. Finished at 23 years of age.

 

This is basically what I said earlier, only in less detail.

Nice post:good

 

Holmes ud. IMO like someone or other already stated, they compare too much to the FOTC. Holmes didn't get hit with the left hook nearly as often as Ali, and he hit harder. He also went to the body. Frazier's bob and weave style would fall into Holmes's jab to the solar plexus. Frazier would duck down and get nailed in the face with it. This is by no means an easy fight for Holmes, but IMO its a bad style match up for Joe. He would also walk into Holmes's sneaky uppercuts. I see Holmes controling the early and late rounds with Frazier winning the middle rounds like he usually did.

 

Why do you think Larry would get dropped? He didn't get hit with the left hook all that much.

 

If it makes it the distance it is only because of refs and drs not caring as much about the swelling of a fighter's face in those times.

Holmes by doctor stoppage now.

Holmes by decision then.

 

Pretty sure Holmes was dropped by a hook at one time or another.

But more applicable, it's all about degree's. Prime Larry didn't face anyone with a left hook even remotely approaching Frazier's. Cooney's was totally different and Cooney couldn't apply pressure in the way Frazier could one bit. I'm predicting a distance fight, and nobody is going 15 with Frazier and not taking plenty of left hooks. Frazier's power with the hook is totally underrated now. I see this as a very very gruelling fight Bill, any boxer going 15 with Frazier is in for a torrid battle. I think at a stage or two Holmes could well visit the canvas. Frazier would be by far the best fighter Larry ever fought excepting Tyson when he way past his best. This fight would heavily feature the Holmes jab and uppercut vs Frazier's left hook and relentless pursuit to close the distance. Both would share center stage at numerous points of the war. Don't let anyone tell you Larry will simply be moving side to side and fending Frazier off with the jab all night. Not gonna happen.

 

He talks down every heavyweight apart from Tyson.

 

The only time Larry was dropped by a hook was when Tyson landed 5-6 hard shots flush and Larry went down (more so from off balance of the flurry) and was up at 3. I won't count the Butterbean fight because that was a BS call.