I've always thought this would be an epic "chess match." If forced to make a pick, I'd pick Ali in a fight close enough to be controversial.
Ali's footwork would be the difference as Larry wasn't comfortable moving forward,which is what he'd have to do in this one.Muhammed by decision.
ali wins,moving and punching then sitting down and punching hard.if larry chases like against spinks,he can't win
Ali wins. What are the tools Holmes possessed which would have pulled off the victory? Holmes had an excellent jab but not good enough to pepper Ali. Holmes would not have been able to stop Ali even though Holmes had a good right hand. Ali was way too elusive with an iron chin. This fight would have gone like most of Ali's fights in his prime. Ali would have slowly built points and weakened his opponent with his jab (yes, it would have found Holmes) and then he would either stop his opponent through an accumulation of punches in the late middle to late rounds, or he wins a decision (more likely against Larry Holmes but a stoppage possible).
Holmes always does well and hangs tuff with Ali................ Ali would never have a walk in the park with a peak (1980) Holmes................. Holmes of '80 gives a peak (1967) Ali fits in losing to 'The Greatest' on a close points decision............ Ali faster; Holmes with better power......... A great tactical dream fight for the ages......... MR.BILL
Muhammad Ali of 1967 would dance his way around a prime Larry Holmes, avoiding his jab with his supreme reflexes and countering like a cat. It would be a wide UD, Larry would try and cut him of but a peak Ali is as slippery as an eel.
holmes was always inferior except his jab was good. he learnt from a past peak ali. better than nowt as he proved but a cleveland williams ali woulda showed him some movement/broken rhythem lessons.
Pre-exile Clay makes it tough for early-reign Holmes. Tough, but not impossible. Refusing to commit decisively one way or the other isn't a cop-out, it's just the most rational conclusion (or maybe resignation is a better word than conclusion) one can arrive at.