Who's more skilled: Ali or Holmes?

One judge and the AP saw the fight differently. I understand that's just the way things are. I don't believe George or Earnie or Gerry figured out Kenny either. They just overwhelmed him.

 

This would be my answer when comparing Ali with any heavyweight great of my time, other than Foreman.

 

Stage of career matters, Ali was a bit past it. Norton was past it for Holmes

 

The judges is a no name? And the AP writer who covered the fight and is in the International Boxing Hall of Fame for his writing prowess is a no name?

 

Norton had an awkward style that worked very well against boxers. The crosd armed style didn't work as well against sluggers.

 

Holmes was more technically sound without a doubt, it's shocking how many left hooks Ali took off Frazier in their first fight and couldn't do anything about it.

 

Holmes had already schooled a veteran in Shavers. That was a prime Holmes right there, fought no different after and the fight was still 7-5, Norton was arguably faded. Whether you think Holmes is more skilled doesn't change Ali being past his peak after the layoff, and he beat Norton

 

How far gone was Kenny? He got blasted out in the first round by Earnie Shavers a scant ten months later. That's basically the same Earnie a considerably past it Ali decisioned. And Kenny didn’t look much better against journeyman Scott LeDoux. Either sluggers are Kenny's kryptonite or Kenny was well on his way to Donesville for Larry. TBF, who knows? Posters set up the tenor of a thread. Any clever person can diminish the importance of losses and the significance of wins.

 

H o l m e s

see the difference between them when they lost their legs / youth? - Ali was punched up and hit a lot Bonavena, Norton x3 , Shavers, Young M Foster, Frazier x3 he was far away from being a “boxer” the way the Homer was… see the Mercer and Holyfield fights? Holmes was 42 and neither could do a thing with him on the ropes or as a general thing his defence was too tight, he knew how the jab worked a lot better also… this is another crazy take of mine but I have scored the Holy bout for Holmes before, very close doe - Holmes also handled the stylistic issue of Norton a lot easier, that bout was nowhere near as close as it says on the tin lol. If you were training a fighter and you could pick between the two, you’d pick Holmes to emulate, I also don’t think Ali is H2H better, not much between them though Holmes matches up better with some guys over Ali.

 

the answer is Joe Frazier