Who was Larry Holmes greatest opponent?

Mike Tyson

 

1. Tyson
2. Holyfield
3. Norton
4. M Spinks
5. Spoon - although Tim gets this by dint of how he performed against Larry rather than how he was viewed going into the fight. Otherwise, I go Cooney.

Not a bad top 5. Could have had Weaver, Williams, Shavers, Mercer, McCall as well, if I'd done a top ten. Larry may not have taken on everyone but there are enough names on his ledger to dispute Greg Page's claim that he was a 'chicken livered coward'.

 

This is the kind of the question that damns him.

The two best, were men who beat him well after his prime, which is of course fine.

Beyond that, he is consistent against a sea of weakness.

Worse still, he was not making the best of a weak era.

 

I’m going to answer this when Larry was in his prime. Ken Norton. Overall? Mike Tyson. His best win? I’m going out on a limb and say Ray Mercer.

 

Best performances were against Neon Leon, first Shavers fight and Cooney. As for his best opponent, gotta be the 88 Tyson.There were talk of Holmes meeting Tyson in late 86 before Tyson signed to fight Berbick. He would have lost that as well but he would have done much better than in 88 when Tyson was at his best.Might have even gone the distance in 86.

 

I agree 100% here. A few of his best prime opponents were “ decent “ but hardly of historical importance

 

I forgot his name but he is a prominent boxing writer and historian. He conceded that the Holmes who fought Tyson was well past it but from what he saw he felt Mike could beat any version of him. For myself I give very little weight to an athlete's performance when he or she is washed.

 

I agree, I thought the same thing myself when I saw the thread. Not that I don't think Larry was a great fighter but I do think thatsome of his contenders weren't that great. Late on he had Tim Witherspoon but he was still relatively green, did he even win that fight? Tyson the best prime fighter he fought.

 

You can only beat the man in front of you.

 

In all fairness to Larry Holmes, the best fighter that Larry faced was on June 9 1978, when he won the WBC Heavyweight Title from champion Ken Norton by a split decision, both were at their peak, Holmes second best fighter he faced in his prime was Terrible Tim Witherspoon in April 1983. Mike Tyson who kayoed Larry on Jan 22 1988, was the best fighter Larry faced after his retirement from boxing, he retired following the second Michael Spinks encounter in April 1986. Nonetheless it was a good victory for Tyson.

 

The best he faced? Tyson, Holyfield, and Norton.

 

Best he beat was Norton, who tho sliding was still quite handy and better than the others IMO. Probably Witherspoon then who while a bit green put on a really good show. After that it's anyones guess. How can you confidently judge Cooney? He never fought a top contender but he could well have been next. Weaver was a good fighter as was Berbick. Were Weaver's highs better than Trevor's?

Best he faced was Tyson then Holyfield at the time he faced them then you can basically blanket Witherspoon, Norton and Spinks.

 

So many of those opponents were not coming into the bouts red hot. Weaver had a tough fight with Philips. Norton had not looked terrific > 3rd Ali bout and looked like a guy ready to be taken. Earnie Shavers was being matched softly > Lyle defeat. Ali hardly looked anywhere close to prime > Spinks bouts.

And these were the better opponents and not some of the softie charmin title defenses. The only guys he met with championship pedigree and displaying winning form were Tyson and Mike Spinks. And later Commander Vander. Neilsen had a nice winning streak if you choose to count that as a title fight.

 

I'll say Witherspoon.