What is the consensus on Tim Witherspoon vs Larry Holmes?

Aishrwya Rai (not sure if the spelling is right), an Indian actress.

I saw the Tim Witherspoon-Larry Holmes fight for the first time just a couple months ago.

 

............Those eyes gave me the idea for a thread in the Lounge; have a gander........

 

Boxing News and the NY Times had Spoon winning. Anyone that didn't have this fight very close is not to be taken seriously.

 

Had Lar by a point.

The consensus is that there should have been a rematch.

 

I had Holmes by a point, sometimes 114-114. Great little fight.

 

A draw was just about right.

 

I felt Holmes won the match. He won too many of the early rounds.

 

Very close win for Holmes.....just maybe a draw...

 

I had Spoon winning a close one, he had Larry wobbled a few times, Spoon won but Larry was champ so was it enough to take the title

 

Larry did a lot of ineffectie punching. I felt Witherspoon outlanded him, and I sincerely believe that had compubox been a factor, it would show Witherspoon had a sizeable edge. That right hand guard had Larry confused all night, he couldn't land the counter-counter-uppercut and kept throwing one-two's that failed to get through.

Clean effective punching is what made me give it to Witherspoon. I'm a big Holmes fan, and had never seen a 'Spoon fight, so I was pleasantly surprised.

 

wow,

even the esb classic consesus its very evenly split,

i have never seen the fight myself and i also hear that larry had his hands full with another good fighter named carl "the truth" williams.

 

Holmes was a bit on the decline when Williams got to him.

Unfortunately, I've never seen the complete Holmes-Witherspoon fight.

 

Could have went either way, Unlike the two Holmes-Spinks fights, which Larry clearly won both times!

 

I didn't say that it was not close. I did say it was COMPETITIVE. But the winner was clear - Larry Holmes. It is sort of like asking what is higher? 90 or 100? It is close - but clear that 100 is higher. Ali-Frazier I. Competitive fight - clear winner - Joe Frazier. I saw the 9th round again on youtube - now I'm retracting giving round 9 to Holmes. It's tough - I'd have to see it again. Maybe a 10 10 round.

I don't care what Boxing News and NY Times have to say. Watching a fight is hardly a scholarly subject - those paid writers have hardly little more authority than a fan who enthusiastically watches a fight. Sure it helps to have inside access to fighters or know some facts - but those writers are not "experts". "Boxing experts" are rare - you need the experience (Merchant lacks this) and the sophistication (Foreman lacks this) and insight. Cus D Amato is an example of a true expert.

 

see the best round on youtube. be advised that angelo dundee, the one commenting, was a bit upset with holmes for recently thrashing on the ghost of ali - so he may overexaggerate it. measure how many shots spoon lands in the beginning - and then don't let that make you overlook the thrashing that holmes gives back. the fact that he made a big comeback in the round with an equal thrashing - makes me give the round to him - he was even plus had the last word.

a lot of people make a big deal out of this in an effort to hold holmes the champion at very high standards and make sure not to give him too much credit. he clearly but closely won the fight.