The great limit of Larry Holmes

Larry did lack a significant, fight-changing left hook.

Someone pointed out that Leonard had a fault involving his fairly consistent strategy, and this could possibly be applied to Larry, most especially in his years of decline. Fighters like Weaver, Witherspoon, and Spinks were at times intentionally awkward and really threw Larry's game plan off, exposing his adherence to it.

After the Witherspoon fight Larry probably should have worked harder on his other punches in case another fighter came around with the knowledge to nullify his jab. But he really didn't, and that

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might have proven the final nail in the close first fight against Spinks. Michael borrowed a bit from Witherspoon in that he blocked, slipped, or parried most of Larry's jabs, knocking his effectiveness down by a solid 40% (guesstimate). Spinks also was smarter in that first fight by basically having no game plan that Larry could acclimate himself to (as he did in practically all his other defenses).

So, I would venture what Atlas referred to as Larry's venerable consistency to have been a double-edge sword. The fighters whom were capable of showing multiple faces to Larry often gave him the most trouble.

 

What he lacked was the opportunity to fight and beat an ATG ie Liston, Frazier, Foreman.

That would have cemented his greatness in the eyes of the general public.

 

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Ask Mercer if Larry had no inside game.Larry had the best jab in heavyweight history, it is interesting you find a way to criticize it

 

Frazier quit? That statement is jarring & really stands out.
Futch would not let a virtually blind Frazier continue. Who was already legally blind in one eye (using deception to pass the physicals).
Frazier refused to speak to Futch for a while after that.

Frazier would have gone Onto Death that night.
That his trainer retired his fighter to prevent further & possibly permanent damage does not mean that "Frazier quit".

Ali was the one seeking to quit before the 15th round.

 

You're right, and I should have remembered that. Ali was the one who asked to quit.

Of course, unfortunately we both know Joe was on his way out, anyway. But what a pair of incredible warriors.