Ok First semi-final is on.

This would be a pretty close fight, IMO. I think the first few rounds would start out as a jabbing contest, I can see Holmes winning quite a few rounds, however, I see Ali controling most of the action. So, I think Ali would win by SD.

Ali wins this close fought fight - 115 - 113.

Mostly people are going to pick Ali, but honestly, the way to stop speed is with the jab...Holmes had THE jab. If Holmes didnt try to follow Ali around the ring and picked his spots, kept enough away to not allow Ali to fire rapid shots, I think he could pull of the decision...
I dont really know, but it seemed like Holmes would have a slight reach advantage too, but I could very well be wrong.

Mostly people are going to pick Ali, but honestly, the way to stop speed is with the jab...Holmes had THE jab. If Holmes didnt try to follow Ali around the ring and picked his spots, kept enough away to not allow Ali to fire rapid shots, I think he could pull of the decision...
I dont really know, but it seemed like Holmes would have a slight reach advantage too, but I could very well be wrong.

Liston couldn't stop Ali with the jab and his was better than Holmes' in my opinion. To be fair though, Liston wasn't anywhere near his prime.

Liston also had a longer reach than Holmes as well.

A prime Ali wins this 1 by UD Holmes jab wouldnt count for anything if it wasnt landing and a prime Ali would make sure it wasnt landing.

Ali UD. Ali was more adaptable and had a very good right hand (which Holmes was always vulnerable too) Ali lands it all night long and wins 115 - 112 or there abouts.

Holmes is a bad matchup for Ali, but I think his versatility and his guts would win him the fight. The fact is that Ali was willing to do anything to win, so he would be ready to eat a number of jabs too.

I see prime Ali winning by UD.

Liston couldn't stop Ali with the jab and his was better than Holmes' in my opinion. To be fair though, Liston wasn't anywhere near his prime.

Liston also had a longer reach than Holmes as well.

yep co sign that. :fing02:

Larry Holmes had the tools to give Muhammad Ali a tough challenge. He would be the better boxer, with the better jab. I also consider Holmes' punch to be slightly harder. Further, he had the stamina, chin and heart of a prime Ali. He was the complete package.

How ever, Ali was faster. And in this fight, with so many similarities between the fighters, I believe speed would be a key factor, favoring Ali. In addition, Ali was more mobile and a more natural "dancer".

I see Ali forcing Holmes to be the aggressor because of his speed and boxingstyle. This would put Holmes at a disadvantage from the get go. Ali would then go on to beat Holmes to the punch with his faster hands. Because of the massive similarities between the two, I think this would be a close and pretty boring fight, with Ali coming out the winner by a fairly safe decision.

Muhammad Ali by UD.

Ali by UD. Holmes would play his game like M26 said.

In his prime Ali would murder Holmes.

Larry Holmes had the tools to give Muhammad Ali a tough challenge. He would be the better boxer, with the better jab. I also consider Holmes' punch to be slightly harder. Further, he had the stamina, chin and heart of a prime Ali. He was the complete package.

How ever, Ali was faster. And in this fight, with so many similarities between the fighters, I believe speed would be a key factor, favoring Ali. In addition, Ali was more mobile and a more natural "dancer".

I see Ali forcing Holmes to be the aggressor because of his speed and boxingstyle. This would put Holmes at a disadvantage from the get go. Ali would then go on to beat Holmes to the punch with his faster hands. Because of the massive similarities between the two, I think this would be a close and pretty boring fight, with Ali coming out the winner by a fairly safe decision.

Muhammad Ali by UD.

Good post.

I was 50/50 on this fight,Maybe even leaning towards Holmes slightly.But this post has swayed me towards Ali.I could also see Holmes fighting Ali's fight and playing straight into his hands.
Ali by close ud.

Ali by Ud 9-5-1.:fing02:

I'm thinking Ali would just have too much will power for Larry. I also think Ali is more or less into the Final already.:)

this is some disgusting bias.

Holmes would whipe his ass with Ali as he did almost everything better, plus he was bigger and hit harder