What year version of Larry Holmes had the best chance against Tyson?

It was razor thin.

 

I've indeed made that case a number of times over the last five years here.

 

I don't think he's got big enough wins........Ali has Liston, Frazier, Foreman, Norton, etc.

 

The one that was packing a .45

 

spot on..that version of Holmes beats any version of Tyson.

 

i honestly wish that holmes had never fought tyson
i'm a big fan of holmes and when i speak to anyone about how great i think he was, the tyson loss keeps coming back at me from them...it's an obstacle that the casual fan can't get over when judging larry....shame.

 

i didnt answer the question put....i'll go along with robbi...78-82 i suppose.

i often wonder...larry took up boxing at 19, and turned pro aged 24...late enough really....i'd love to know what would have been if the 19 had been 14....and the 24 had been 19.

 

It was by no means razor thin. It was a clear win for Holmes.

I believe this was an example of a fight that was competitive without being close. The 15th round seems to give the impression that the previous 14 were equally close. They weren't. Holmes had a comfortable lead and despite Norton coming on strong towards the end; it was too late.


As for the TS?

I think an 82 Holmes was very sharp physically and mentally, he'd be the best version.

 

I scored Holmes-Norton 8 round to 7 for Larry

 

At no point would he beat Tyson IMO, best chance would be 1982, he was a bit stronger at that point.

 

He's still getting hit by a titanic right hand and dusted off within 7-8 rounds.

 

:-( Nope. Holmes is all wrong for Tyson. Evidence the Tucker bout.

 

Agree.

And if we're wrong, the 1978 Holmes who beat Shavers in a shutout, hardly taking a punch, and who went on to beat Norton in a classic, then destroyed Evangelista in the fall, is the very best Holmes.

It always surprises me that the more vulnerable, later Holmes of 1979-80 is so often cited as better. He was already 28 in 1978, certainly also on a physical level he wasn't going to get sharper or faster as he aged from this point.

Joe E. immediately above says Holmes is all wrong for Tyson, citing the Tucker bout. Huh? Joking, right? Tyson beat Tucker with ease; Tony landed one uppercut the entire night and you think that Tucker gave Tyson any sort of problems? Tucker lost big-time.

 

1978 - 1980. This was the peak Holmes.

 

That's 5 years :nut