Your Ranking of Larry Holmes?

On any given day, I can have Holmes rated somewhere between 4-7 depending on how I'm feeling. He had a fair balance of plusses and minuses. The upside is that he was unbeaten in his first 48 fights, and managed to be very competitive later in his old age. The downside, is that he did not always fight the absolute most qualified fighters during his title reign, as well as had some flat performances that probably warranted rematches that were never given.

As for a definitive ranking, I can never seem to give him one. About the only position that I can consistantly take, is that #3 is too high, and #8 is too low. Every other spot inbetween is fair game for Holmes.

 

skill-wise had to be the best all-around fighter p4p at heavyweight. He had the best jab ever, very good hand speed despite his physique, wide array of punches, a great chin, defensively sound, and a huge heart. He could beat you with the jab alone, but could fight inside and out. Based on accomplishment he makes my top 5 all-time but skillwise p4p he is my number one. Ali was more athletically gifted but he was more technically sound.

 

Larry Holmes was a very fine champion, under-appreciated largely because he followed the great Ali. Holmes one of the better HW champs of the division's history in my opinion.

 

I pretty much already commented on it, or at least I think I did. I base his top 10 standing on the fact that he won 48 strait bouts, then continued his career in impressive fashion later on. His activity and longevity were quite admirable which is why I consider him an all time great. His competition was somewhat marginal in quality though. Ken Norton may very well be the best fighter he ever defeated, and he pulled it off with a very close outcome, against a declining Ken. I'm not even so sure that Holmes would have beaten the Norton of 4 years earlier.

 

I go back and forth with having him in my top five. He's usually there, but when he's not, he not far off.

 

Maybe no 6 ,certainly in the top 7.

 

#5 for me:

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Marciano actually beat ATG HWs, Holmes never did Least wise none that were still able to fight.

Valuev should change his name to Larry Holmes Jr.

 

so beating 42 year old moore and 38 year old walcott is legit, but beating 35 year old norton is not?

 

Depends upon the skill level of the fighter at the various ages in question. Walcott seemed to improve with age, Moore (probably not an ATG HW) never seemed to age at all Norton slowed faster than the two aforementioned fighters, or Holmes would have lost to him... just like, perhaps, the greatest HW fighter in history did. Most ATGs seem to lose a fight or two.

 

#4