Would a Prime Ali have beaten a prime Larry Holmes

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by OMGWTF, Oct 18, 2012.


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  1. OMGWTF

    OMGWTF Guest

    If so how?

    Doesnt Larry have a better jab? Longer reach? As much speed. As good a workrate. More power. A strong enough Chin for whatever Ali had for him.

    I see this as a very hard fight for Ali, I cant visualize him winning it, would his footwork be enough?

    Would his iron chin be a key factor?

    Was Ali a good infighter VS those with a longer reach?

    He had trouble with other boxers didnt he?
     
    OMGWTF, Oct 18, 2012
    OMGWTF, Oct 18, 2012
    #1
  2. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    If we're talking about TRUE primes which for Ali was 1967 and Holmes in 1980, then I'd pick Muhammad by a hairline decision.
     
    mr. magoo, Oct 18, 2012
    mr. magoo, Oct 18, 2012
    #2
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  3. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    A prime Proud Kilimanjaro beats both.
     
    Flea Man, Oct 18, 2012
    Flea Man, Oct 18, 2012
    #3
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  4. fg2227

    fg2227 Guest

    Ali wins fairly easily the BIG DIFFERENCE is FOOT SPEED.
     
    fg2227, Oct 18, 2012
    fg2227, Oct 18, 2012
    #4
  5. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Me too , but a tough, close fight.
     
    mcvey, Oct 18, 2012
    mcvey, Oct 18, 2012
    #5
  6. timmers612

    timmers612 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I agree with those who say Ali's foot speed would be the differance and for solid reasoning. Larry followed those who moved without throwing punches until they stopped and Ali would have just changed directions. Even in their ill fated bout with Ali having nothing left, Larry would just follow Muhammad as he moved slowly to his left without throwing any punches until Ali stopped. A close bout with Ali's footwork and Larrys non punching while he was on his toes being the differance.
     
    timmers612, Oct 18, 2012
    timmers612, Oct 18, 2012
    #6
  7. Webbiano

    Webbiano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Just as easy as you seem to think his win over Norton was in their rubber. Good call :good
     
    Webbiano, Oct 18, 2012
    Webbiano, Oct 18, 2012
    #7
  8. sinol

    sinol Guest

    yes........... larry was very good.... but he still was a poor mans ali........ even the non prime ali of 74 that fought norton in the rematch and fought frazier in the rematch would have beaten any version of larry holmes... and tahts a non prime ali....imagine ali og 63 to 67 against holmes....mismatch:hey
     
    sinol, Oct 18, 2012
    sinol, Oct 18, 2012
    #8
  9. sinol

    sinol Guest

    larry only had a 1 inch reach advantage..... larry didnt even have a staright right hand that was in alis leugue,,,go see ali/lyle if you wanna see a straght right hand out of nowere wit speed and power....... larrys left hook was awful...wanna see alis left uppercut go see the stoppage of ali/quarry 2......and larry holmes in his prime would never beat the joe frazier that ali fought in 71.....not in this lifetime.......holmes barely beat a 33 yr old ken norton go see ali/norton 2....ali easily beat norton in the rermatch...i had ali winning the first 5 rds..
     
    sinol, Oct 18, 2012
    sinol, Oct 18, 2012
    #9
  10. TheSouthpaw

    TheSouthpaw Champion Full Member

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    Does a bear **** in the woods!??
     
    TheSouthpaw, Oct 18, 2012
    TheSouthpaw, Oct 18, 2012
    #10
  11. doug.ie

    doug.ie 'Classic Boxing Society' Full Member

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    this may sound daft, but the way ali beat bob foster for me is the biggest clue to how he'd handle holmes
    yes, holmes was so much bigger and stronger but foster was no joke and tall and rangey and fast...and ali handled him with enormous ease...holmes, to me, would have been a bigger stronger version of this against ali, but ali, i think, would have fought him the way he fought foster
     
    doug.ie, Oct 18, 2012
    doug.ie, Oct 18, 2012
    #11
  12. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Larry was a sucker for right hands. Ali had a great right. This will make more of a difference than footspeed. Ali by clear decision, Holmes will ahve his moments though.
     
    bodhi, Oct 19, 2012
    bodhi, Oct 19, 2012
    #12
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  13. Mr Butt

    Mr Butt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    very close fight it could go either way
     
    Mr Butt, Oct 19, 2012
    Mr Butt, Oct 19, 2012
    #13
  14. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Anyone not stopping Ali is going to the scorecards. Muhammad was loved on the cards and opponents needed to win 9 or 10 rounds to be involved in a split decision. Larry is not winning that many rounds against this guy and he would have a ton of problems on scorecards going against a popular fighter like this.
     
    zadfrak, Oct 19, 2012
    zadfrak, Oct 19, 2012
    #14
  15. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    A prime Holmes,say 1978-80,would lose to the Ali of 1964-74,in my opinion. Obviously the sixties Ali would win more decisively than the seventies incarnation.

    1964-67 Ali - By three or for rounds.
    1970-74 Ali - By one or two rounds ( Only if Ali's in top condition)
     
    Stevie G, Oct 19, 2012
    Stevie G, Oct 19, 2012
    #15
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