WAS George Foreman Greater than Larry Holmes?

I’m glad the two never fought. They were great champions without fighting each other.

If they fought in the 1990s it would have been the wrong time. Fans from either side would argue with justification that it was not a fair representation of them at their primes, and it would not have been.

I lean toward Larry, but George was not a good opponent for him in any ways.

Since the title of the thread was who was greater, then I have to go with Larry. Longevity, and consistency of reign. He was Better for longer. George has the best individual wins. Larry just has a lot more of them.

For George you have Frazier (best single win by miles) Norton then Moorer.

For Larry there is Norton, Weaver, Shavers, Berbick, Ali, Leon, Cooney, Witherspoon, Smith, Mercer.

 

You can go either way. Holmes has excellent longevity but for the last few years and 6 fights sat on the title and avoided the best challengers and his era was average. Even given that it's still a very lengthy reign. He also failed to give rematches to deserving challengers.

Foreman had a short reign but shared his (extremely strong) era with the GOAT and another ATG in Frazier. First career he had a lot of fights but only a few against the top guys. His demolition of a reigning ATG to win the title vastly eclipses any of Holmes best wins however and he pole axed a peak Norton where as Holmes struggled against an aged but still decent version. Then you have THAT win at age 45. His win over the top 4 rated Lyle is also notable.

I usually have Holmes narrowly ahead and they sit within a few spots of each other. You could also have Foreman ahead without too much noise. Both are right at the front of my mind as soon as i get past Ali, Louis and Lewis.

 

I'd say Larry had the better legacy, big George H2h for most.

Also, allow me to shamelessly plug some articles.

Larry: https://imgur.com/gallery/IESpo

George: https://imgur.com/gallery/ZZlOxnY