Put Larry Holmes in place of Foreman?

Normally I'd say Frazier would have a good chance of winning but he was never the same after the FOTC and he wasn't in the best of shape vs Foreman so I'd pick Holmes.

A fresher version of Norton would obviously be very tough but Holmes wouldn't have the bicep injury this time and he would've won the title by this point so he'd have a bit more confidence I'll go with Holmes in another classic.

The last time Ali was really in shape was vs Foreman but I don't think he had the legs anymore and the rope a dope wouldn't work on Holmes either so I'd pick Holmes by decision.

Finally Holmes beats the likes of Lyle and Young.

 

No way is Holmes sweeping Frazier, Norton and Ali. He would struggle in all these fights. No way.

 

I don't know why you don't think so.

Frazier in 1973 was not the same fighter he once was after FOTC and he wasn't in the best of shape vs Foreman. Remember we're taking the exact same versions of the opponents that Foreman fought.

Frazier was 214 pounds vs Foreman which is 9 pounds heavier than his peak performance vs Ali.

Norton is always going to be a tough opponent for Holmes but Holmes this time would've won a title now and he wouldn't have a bicep injury this time.

Ali in 1974 did train hard but he didn't have his legs anymore and he used a dangerous tactic to wear out Foreman a tactic that wouldn't work on Holmes.

 

Holmes might replicate his win against Norton.

He loses to both Frazier and Ali.

 

I agree he beats Norton. I'd probably favor him over Post-FOTC Frazier, he loses to a prime one though. I give him very little chance against Ali.

 

I think Joe Frazier beats him

 

Fair enough swag.

I'd take a punt on post-FOTC Frazier still having enough to take a decision off Holmes. But it's not beyond Holmes to turn this one into a 'W', either.

 

I'd have prime Holmes over '74 Ali, who was a diminished force. Frazier would be a close fight, I'd give Holmes the edge. I think Holmes is a mentally tough all time great technician who's underappreciated for his lack of charisma.

 

Frazier would be the toughest and he probably loses to prime Frazier but I think the version of Frazier that Foreman fought he beats though has a much tougher fight. Same with Norton tough fight that and is competitive with Holmes but Holmes does enough to win just like in their actual fight. Ali honestly would be the easiest matchup here specifically the version of Ali that fought in the Rumble where his feet and speed were beginning to go. He might have some tricks up his sleeve to make it competitive but I don't see him winning against prime Holmes who does everything that version of Ali does but better.

 

I think Holmes beats a prime Frazier. Holmes had one of the best jabs in the business and he could keep Frazier from getting inside. Holmes didn't fight wide open with his hands at his sides like Ali. Holmes could probably beat a prime Ali as well, but it's a close split decision win.

 

In 1973 Joe Frazier was slipping a bit so I think a prime Holmes might have barely decisioned him in a hellacious fight. In 1974 Ali was still the best but probably not 100%. I’ll again give Holmes a chance at winning another close decision . The only one I’m 50/50 on is a young Norton. Much like Frazier he had those Eddie Futch fundamentals while also matching Holmes in size and unlike Ali and Frazier was prime.

 

Yeah Frazier would be touch and go. I would not be surprised to see Frazier win. That's the last version of Ali that'd beat him. Peak Norton is toss a coin IMO. They'd split a series.

 

He's not going to discourage Joe from coming forward. Infer what you will.