Tyson Holyfield Norton, but Kenny was slipping and ready to be taken. It wasn't an old Holmes fighting a prime Norton afterall Ali. Terrific opponent, just showed up with nothing Spinks
Holyfield Tyson This content is protected Weaver Shavers Holy was in his prime against Holmes, and to me the former is just one notch below prime Larry as ATG. Mike was also prime. I doubt either would have beat LH in his prime, Holy loss by split decision, Mike loses by 11th round TKO (at the latest). To me Norton's prime was between 1973-1977, so he was just past it when he fought Larry (the only thing I saw deteriorating was his speed, really, and that not by a striking margin). Holmes fought Shavers both during and just past his prime (but Ernie was a seriously dangerous fighter anytime before 1981 or so). Shavers had PLENTY left when he faced Holmes that second time, he just didn't have as much stamina (watch him against Ali) and didn't put punches together quite as well (the first time they fight I think ES' punch stats were higher, he just landed less often. I could be wrong). Mike Weaver was considered by many to be the second best heavyweight in the world after his 1st fight with Larry, and I feel that continued past his Coetzee defense. Being second best in the world at the time might not be anywhere near what it was in the 70s, however it was still second best to a champion that practically nobody disputed, a great-in-the-making. In the spirit of full disclosure, I think the Holmes/Weaver might have beaten Ali anytime right around the third Norton fight to the end.
I think there's a heck of a strong argument for that...I just can't place Mike over Holy. It's just Holy's style and heart...he was so good at darting in and out, not always very easy to hit. And he was no joke from different angles. I realize this might not be a popular opinion, but that same shot that caught Mike coming in, the one everyone knew would catch up to Mike eventually, would have come up for the two during their primes as well imo. Mike was wide open coming in and it was Holy who first really took advantage of it. A prime Holy would have done the same thing...only faster. Holy in 8. Just my opinion.
Opponents, irrespective of result, or wins? I more or less did the latter (with a focus on his contiguous reign) a few years back. https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/contrast-holmes-reign-with-klitschkos.485445/
It really was the equalizer. Larry forever dismissed the intimations of dog when he got up and back in control over one of the most nuclear right hands in boxing history.
Most of greatness of Holmes is not so much that he was as a complete fighter as he could get up after that Shavers bomb
Mike Tyson Ken Norton Michael Spinks Evander Holyfield Tim Witherspoon Honorable mention: Earnie Shavers Earnie almost stopped Holmes, but all the above guys were better all around fighters than Shavers.
I think he meant at the time Holmes fought them. So, if that is the case, Ali would be nowhere near the top 5.
I would have included Spinks, but to me he was only ATG at light heavy. I thought he was kind of a meh heavyweight who came at the right time. Just my opinion, big fan of Michael at light-heavy.
