When would have Holmes beaten Ali? 1975,1976,1977,1978,1979, or 1980

Holmes could start to win about 1977 and on.

 

All of those years ... if we're talking a prime Holmes ..

 

Holmes was a mere 200 pounds by 1975. Between 1976-1977 it would have been a close fight to call, Holmes did not look exceptional against Williams, Prater or Arrington and Ali had a few tricks in the bag to impress the judges. By 1978 the fight goes easily in Holmes's favour.

 

Yeah, Holmes wasn't seen as anything special before the Shavers fight. That Holmes would likely beat any Ali post-Manilla, but in 1976 I can see Ali doing at least as well as he did against Norton and Young that year; i e at least winning a very controversial decision.

 

Holmes would have beaten Ali in '77.

 

post 1977 i would lean towards.. otherwise no. maybe 76.. but i would not bet on it anyway.

 

Yep. And you can't ignore the other huge factor in all of this--if a guy does not ko Ali, it is going to be very very difficult to win on the scorecards back then. Don King did not have the big pull back then like he developed in the 80's. It was Arum who promoted all those Ali fights after that Wepner defense. Larry could win the fight in the fan's eyes maybe, but those 3 judges is another story.