What Ace Would Joe Louis, Hold Over Larry Holmes?

Yes, I have.

 

Larry Holmes was a spectacular boxer. But sometimes he had the tendency to let his guard down and on occasion even found himself against the ropes. When Mike Weaver had him in the corner in 1979, Larry was taking some punishment. Granted at one point he unleashed a right upper cut which sent weaver to the floor. But against the best and fastest combination puncher of all time in Joe Louis Holmes might have been stopped. You can’t drop your guard or stop moving or put your back to the wall against that type of fighter

 

Good one,Fergy. The second and third best heavyweights of all time. Would have been a great fight. Could go either way. Holmes jabbing his way to victory or Joe stopping Larry with a killer right hand.

 

I really like your analysis here, and it supports my contention that Holmes would be ahead on the cards after 8 or 9 rounds then gets shook by a right hand. Then Louis finishes Holmes off with one of his blistering combos. Is it certain? No, but I think it's the way to bet.

 

Larry could absolutely win, absolutely had the skills/tools to win, but IMO if he gets tagged by Joe he doesn't survive like he did other times he got tagged or knocked down. Joe (who may not have been fast but was quick, two different things) is on the short list or maybe at the top of the list of ATG best finishers once he got you in trouble

 

Holmes's relative blindness to standard well-timed/set up punches would undo him in the end imo, especially with how Louis could feint and bait the space to uncork those disguised short distance lightning bolts with maximum impact.

Holmes would basically be depending on his jab and footspeed alone to hold control of the fight, and it's a tall ask imo, even with the footspeed advantage, when the opponent has the artillery that Louis had along with being better technically.

 

I don't think it's so much that Holmes is faster I think it's that his offense is built off of a speedy jab and lateral movement where Joe's offense was built off of timing. One thing about Joe is he really like to be in a position to throw his brutal combo's from a strong stance unlike Holmes who mostly was looking to move after punching. Joe was so deadly when he hurt a guy because he was always so strong in his stance when on offense.

 

Right I am putting my trusty old thinking cap on for this fight, let me see, so Louis first defeat was against Max Schmeling, and the punch that carried him to victory was a straight right, from memory, didn't Mmmm, Errrrrr, Larry what's his name have a very good hard straight right, or am I way off target , unlike Larry's right would have been.
stay safe guys.

 

I see Conn’s name mentioned again in highlighting Louis’ perceived issues with “movers”.

That’s fine but I don’t see Holmes necessarily moving as much as Conn did - and notwithstanding that movement, Holmes can’t help presenting as a much bigger target than Billy.

Also, while Larry is receiving due praise for his sterling jab, Louis had a terrific and powerful jab himself - and while the analogy might not be perfect, Tim Witherspoon enjoyed very good success with an excellent and constant jab against Larry.

With relatively busier hands and the application of constant, laser jab, Holmes might give the “appearance” of being faster - but when economical Louis let his hands go, and it was usually with the certainty that he would connect well, his fists were a blur.

And without throwing superfluous punches, thereby not allowing a constant gage on and reciprocal timing of his speed, Louis welcomed many a good fighter into his parlour only to then offload his lightning bolt punches.

Larry had a great chin and recuperative powers. However, ironically, it would serve him better against Louis to fall from a single right as he did against Shavers - if Louis badly hurt Holmes without putting him down, it could potentially see Holmes get hit with a far more deadly, fight ending follow up whilst still on his feet.

 

Louis would blast Holmes.

 

All else is not equalish- different level. Louis the king.

 

Larry had talent and physical advantages. Louis' best asset would be his deadly power.

 

Check out the rematch Mike.

Truth is Louis improved quite a bit technically after this fight and never slacked off again.