Why did Holmes and Foreman never fight ?

I favor Holmes.

It was going to happen in 00

 

Actually, Foreman had a great jab and was excellent at its use. When he remembered to.

Great example of what he could do with it was his fight with Briggs. A little odd that he had a jab that good and was that good at using it… and just didn’t rely on it that much. Could have helped him wear guys down in plenty of fights, because i’d bet his jab landed like the average HWs right.

Old vs old, I agree on Holmes. The main thing he’d lost over the years was foot speed, but Foreman was so slow that Holmes would have been able to be plenty mobile and play matador.

 

I'd rate Foreman higher on a list of all time great heavyweights but I think Holmes would of beaten any version of him due to styles.

 

When Foreman wanted it it didn't suit Holmes and when Holmes wanted it it didn't suit Foreman.

I'd favor Foreman for primes and Holmes as geezers.

 

I read the same. My thoughts - I don't think George was scared at all, it was a risk that could have derailed his come back. I think it would have been a close, pick em fight regardless of when they fought to be honest - as old men or as young lions.

 

They couldn't fight in the 70s because Holmes only become a notable Heavyweight after he beat Shavers in 1978 in which Foreman had already retired by then.

They could've fought in the 90s but as others have said Foreman had the big name and didn't need to risk fighting Holmes.

Just to add if Holmes did fight Foreman in the 90s I think Holmes would've won, I also think Holmes could've beat Moorer had he been given a shot and I also don't believe Holmes would've lost to Morrison either.

 

From memory Holmes was offered a fight late in Foreman's first career. It would have been a silly fight for Holmes to take at that stage obviously.

 

It very well could have occurred had Holmes not turned pro unusually late.

 

I think he just kept making so much money sparring Ali he just didn't see a need to hurry.

 

Yeah, not blaming Holmes in any way, & you can say as well that Foreman retired unusually early on the other end, further shrinking the window. Holmes can’t have known about Foreman being a big deal in 1969, nor was Foreman likely aware, or at least not significantly, of Holmes in 1977. It’s just frustrating from a retrospective standpoint that both were born the same year, both became greats, but missed each other when it could’ve easily swung the other way & further deepened the 70’s division.

 

I feel your pain, cheated out of what would have been a great match. A fired up (Ali era) Holmes would be constantly in danger of being floored by such a great puncher. He'd have to rely heavily on his ring IQ, jab and hold early on.

 

Definitely too early.

 

I think Holmes realized that he didn't have the punch Foreman had so in a way he declined more than George, who could still punch. In 1978 Larry would have beaten George. Prime for Prime. I pick Larry. I think he was the better technical fighter. It would have been a great fight.. 1973 George vs. 1981 Larry. I think the same with Hearns vs. Ray. Ray looked awful against Norris because his speed was his asset, and Hearns beat Virgil Hill with speed but also leverage. Somes styles do better with time.