Who Is More Entertaining In The Ring, Larry Holmes Or Muhammad Ali?

While Ali has the better accomplishments, is the better trash talker, has more “legend” behind his career, and is arguably better than Holmes, to me Holmes always had the better fights and was generally more entertaining in the ring. Who do you think is more entertaining, and why?

 

I agree. A major part of Ali’s entertainment value was his “cocky” movements and the things he would do and say in the ring. However, post-ban, Ali did a lot more holding, even in great fights like the Thrilla in Manila. I also find it interesting you mentioned the Rumble in the Jungle, because while Ali used the ropes to evade shots, a lot of the time he was just absorbing punches from Foreman. Ali probably has one of the most underrated chins, but beyond the spectacle, which is huge, it’s actually a dull fight to rewatch. Holmes had a lot of classic fights, like those against Norton, Williams, Witherspoon, Shavers, Holyfield, Snipes, Mercer, Cooney, and Spinks, along with fun one-sided beatdowns (equal to the Ali vs. Terrell fight) like Cobb, Jones, Bonecrusher Smith, and Berbick. I just prefer Holmes. In my opinion, he had better ring generalship, balance, and lateral movement. He also had the greatest jab. His jab was never just one type. He could throw it from the guard, chest, or hip, use it as a feint for uppercuts, or fire it over an opponent’s right hand. All the good qualities people praise in Ali are also present in Holmes, like grit, boxing IQ, and athleticism. That’s why Holmes’ fights are superior in my view.

 

Haha, great video. Holmes was one of the few who seemed to see through the “nice guy” facade of Berbick before everything became public. Rip (rest in p*ss) Berbick.

This content is protected

 

Couldn't put it better.

 

I forgot to add the Weaver fight, but I agree, Holmes has so many technically brilliant fights where he schools his opponents for 12 or 15 rounds.

 

When I was talking about Ali’s chin being underrated, I was more so talking about the casual viewpoint that Ali used his amazing head movement and tactics like the rope-a-dope to avoid shots. In reality, though Ali has amazing head movement and uses great tactics, he would sometimes just defend punches with his chin way more than people care to admit.

Pre-exile Ali was a beast and is more entertaining than prime Holmes, but that version of Ali didn't have enough fights for me to consider him more entertaining than Holmes.