Prime Tyson v. Prime Holmes

Holmes by TKO late

 

Mike Tyson's style in his prime was always going to be incredibly difficult for any version of Larry Holmes. Holmes would have to fight the absolute most perfect fight with all tricks he has up his sleeve and that is a very tall order against a prime Mike Tyson.

 

Holmes got knocked out by the only Mike Tyson he fought.

Mike Tyson knocked out Larry Holmes and a bunch of guys who fought just like Holmes.

Larry isn’t winning this just bc you were backup qb on the 1981 high school football team or bought your first Camaro in the lead up to the Cooney fight.

 

It’s obvious that Holmes would be acutely focused for Tyson - examples of him not being so during his career don’t necessarily apply.

Holmes basically dominated Shavers for the better part of a total 19 rounds over 2 fights then got caught napping - sort of similar to Tunney vs Dempsey 2.

Look at the way Holmes got caught for the first KD against Tyson - little movement and hunching forward, closing the distance - prime Holmes isn’t going to be there for that set up.

That first KD wrecked Holmes but he wasn’t exactly cleaned up in super quick time thereafter - even allowing for his second fall - it still took Mike some doing.

Not that it would’ve made a difference if Holmes had survived what was the final round but it’s a fact that he very well nearly did, with the end coming at 2:55.

Suffice to say, the version of Holmes who faced Tyson in 88 was a fry cry from the prime version and that in itself also lent heavily to the complexion and outcome of their actual fight aside from any perceived, ever present stylistic vulnerabilities.

 

I'd take Tyson at his very best by some sort of stoppage. Holmes would also have a reasonable chance of getting thru the vital stages and coming on later but Tyson carried his power late as evidenced by the likes of Smith and Tucker staying quite tame in the latter stages. He also didn't visibly tire against these guys. In short he could slip back a gear fighting negative opponents while still racking up round after round which allowed him petrol in the tank if need be and loads of power available. So if Holmes did survive the early stages his path to victory is still fraught with danger, a danger guys like Tucker and Smith weren't willing to entertain. Holmes would, he's a winner type fighter and would lay it on the line. It would still be a tough gig even at those stages of the fight IMO.

 

This is brilliant. Post of the year.

 

Tempted to say Tyson

 

Mike Tyson was "built" to beat Holmes.
But you shouldn't judge by their fight because it's peak Tyson and past prime Holmes.
I see that Tyson can beat Holmes only in that way.
Tyson can't win by points, he has to succeed (finish) what Shavers couldn't, if he doesn't want to lose.
Prime Vs. prime...
Tyson wouldn't make it, or better to say this...
Of the 3 fights, Holmes would win two.

 

Holyfield got caught a few times, including by one of those perfect right hook right uppercut combos. His strategy worked because he was durable enough (and knew it) to survive being caught.

I think the main issue Holmes had was just not being durable enough. He had a good beard and great recovery abilities, but to take on a prime Tyson, you needed an absolute top ATG chin, and Holmes didn't quite have one. I'd say his later career showed he was pretty damn good close-up when he had to be.

As to Holmes and Holyfield, that's an easy one due to their actual fight. Only father time defeated Holmes in that one. If he could've kept up the pace and had his legs back, he'd have won that one comfortably. Before starting to gas, even with the age limitations, he was outboxing Holyfield.

 

I'm of the opposite school of thought bro, imo Tyson beats Larry two times outta three

 

It's a bad stylistic matchup for Larry. On the proverbial other hand Tyson has lost to lesser fighters, even in his mythical prime.

 

Good.
That would mean Holmes' only two defeats by knockout in his career.
But everything is possible.
I'm sure many would agree with you as well as me.

 

Lesser fighters than Larry tied Mike up enough to lose on the cards. What if Larry mixed in some action?

 

Then he gets countered and KTFO.

 

I don't know how many times I've said it, but I got Holmes.