It's a silly nostalgia marker for people who are willfully ignorant about the fact that the majority of yesteryear's heavies would have no place in the modern division.
There are simply levels to this sport. Larry was a different planet of ability compared to Wilder. Took a bomb of a right hand from Shavers. Got up. Won. Took a bomb of a right hand from Tyson. Got up (though being way out of his prime it didn’t last much longer.) Wilder would have to land more than he usually does to in order to keep Larry down. Larry would jab his eyes puffy and then end him.
Holmes is the heavy favourite here. If Holmes fought cautiously and carefully for 12 rounds, he takes this by shutout. Holmes is not Ortiz and is unlikely to get caught like Ortiz was. 120 -108. However, if Holmes gets the urge to go for the KO, he risks getting tagged with a bomb from Bomb Squad. If that happens the odds move slightly more in favour of Wilder. So, against a cautious Holmes, I give Holmes a 95 % chance of scoring a very wide UD. Against a daring Holmes, I give Holmes 60 % chance of winning by KO, a 20 % chance of getting a UD and a 20 % chance of getting KTFO'd
Again, I say Holmes 80% of the time wins this one... BUT... Look at that right that DW threw to finish Ortiz. It was compact and all class. No windmilling there. Any fighter could be caught by that punch. It was way sharper than those thrown by Snipes and Shavers. It's no secret Larry had an issue with right hands. Just saying.
Wilder was also out boxed by Artur Szpilka. Larry Holmes vs Wilder would be like Larry Holmes vs Cooney. The main difference was Cooney had skills. Wilder has none. Larry Holmes batters Wilder and stops him before 8.
Ortiz has no skills. No defense and no foot work. Also who did Ortiz face who was consider a big puncher or even a good fighter? His chin is unproven. On that same note who did Wilder knock out who was half way decent of even know for having a good chin? So because he has a lot of knockouts against a low level fighters that means he is a really hard puncher? So based off that is Tye Fields a really hard puncher? He knocked out some of the fighters Wilder did and he did it much easier. For example Fields knocked out Nicholai Firtha with one punch while Wilder had to land numerous flush punches over and over and knock down after knock down to stop him.
Yep I’m sure the likes of Ali Foreman and Frazier would t compete today smh the ignorance. Yet you say Holmes would win 8/10? You’re all over the place. Can’t make up your mind. That’s why Foreman came back after 20 years and won the belt because you know yesteryear sucks
I really believe Wilder is better and more dangerous than most of the classic forum.... However to me the most likely scenario is Holmes via a close and not action packed fight. For all of those who say Wilder has no skill, he has just enough skill and power that guys are not willing to throw a lot or able to land much on him. I am not sure Wilder or Ortiz had any? Rounds landing 10 punches on him, not that he lands much more. So if Holmes fights a smart fight he should be able to avoid any danger and take an 8-4 type of decision...if he tries to mix it up his chin and recovery should make it close but he may go down and be looking at a draw. He (Wilder) is certainly better than Shavers, so I think he has a realistic shot even though I am not picking him.
One thing that’s interesting about this fight is that Wilder would be the one wanting 15 rounds and Holmes would be the one wanting 12. It’s basically three extra rounds for Wilder to get the job done.
Going by their accomplishments and their resume it's a no brainer but boxing isn't that simple. You would have to side with Holmes on points but I would not be surprised at all if Wilder knocked him out with one shot, he hits that hard. Put it this way, I would never in a month of Sundays put a big wager on Holmes in this bout.