Where do you rank Larry Holmes?

I don't even know how to respond to incoherent drivel. You brought up one opponent of one of the fighters I mentioned, Leon Sphinx, who Ali fought after he was basically shot.

 

In the context of an entire career? I disagree. You're underestimating the longevity at play here.

This isn't about taking the prime versions of these guys in a vacuum and putting them against Wlad's resume. It's about doing it fight for fight against world rated opposition for 16 years.

Lennox was a world caliber fighter for about 12 years. You'd have to give Lennox both superior longevity than he showed, and superior consistency than he actually showed (in reality, Wlad has a KO loss ratio slightly lower than Lewis. Neither man's losses are against the best fighters they fought.)

Foreman was too inconsistent and, despite having better name value at the top, his resume doesn't have the depth Wlad's does.

Ali has an argument for it. Louis as well. It's worth noting that Ali was younger for Spinks than Wlad was for Povetkin, and Louis was the same age as Wlad when he fought Marciano. Would older versions then beat Pulev in 2014 and Fury in 2015?

Holmes ran out of steam about a decade into being a real world class fighter, though he remained a dangerous old vet after that.

Ultimately, I think it takes some real mental gymnastics that some would hold off giving Wlad even a top 10 rating comfortably until he surpasses Joe Louis' world records. If he retires tomorrow, it's impossible to fairly keep him out while still giving Holmes a high rating.

 

the longevity point is good but for only when it counts as a positive - otherwise its just an excuse for time wasting.

thus its you who is missing the context. any of foreman ali lewis and Louis would clear up all wlads 10 years of opposition inside 2 years, and with barely breaking sweat apart from perhaps 1 or 2 opponents.


or they could have chosen to take them out in the same way wlad does - theres nothing better in doing how wlad did it in terms of quality/being a better boxer historically.

 

for you, clearly.

 

I brought up three
Oh poor Ali
Shot 6 years
after turning 30
Never reached win 60
Now tell me
How he is to match
Wlads longetvity
Beating better fighters
Than Leon
While closing on 40

 

Holmes created a third boxing ratings division by running from a number one contender. Wlad has spent his entire boxing career trying to unify the heavyweight title. He will be the unified heavyweight champion of the world after he slaughters Fury. Wilder will probably run like a cowardly coyote. But Wlad will track him down and with untold millions at stake Wilder will get butchered and Wlad is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Wlad is top 5 all time right now and only slimey bigots with an agenda dispute this. Holmes was a businessman first and foremost. He owns most of Easton. Top ten as a heavyweight but an uninspiring bloke and very foul mouthed.

 

No way in Hell Wilder passes up a fight with Wlad and a shot to become heavyweight champion of the world. Especially how beatable he looked against Jennings.

Wlad might beat him, but there is no way he runs.

 

None you named so carelessly
Could match Wlads longevity
By own admission
Ali was shot
And in no condition
Against Leon
Foreman upset by Young
And so on

 

Never got sparked by three journey men though did he.

 

Ali?
utter idiot for picking out the one guy with latent parkinsonsonians

you've earned ignore for your blatant stupidity.

 

I didn't pick out Ali
Not my stupidity
Ignore, dont look
You can't get rid of
Babadook

 

Not good enough to carry Rocky Marciano's jock strap.

 

This is very accurate. People want to pretend it's a video game where my best guy is always at his peak performance level. Real world doesn't work that way. What Wlad is doing is astounding and I doubt you can count on one hand the number of men that can go a decade as heavyweight champion facing all comers. The wear and tear accumulates. The celebrity lifestyle outside the ring beckons it all adds up. Lot of posters here selling Wlad way short.