Was Larry Holmes's HW Era ''Weak''?

[Dan Vida]

Don't think it was that weak.It was certainly much stronger than this era or Tyson's era.


Definite top 4 heavy

[Roger Yomama]

its much better now because the fighters are much better. Wlad klitschko doesnt duck people like holmes did and he takes on all comers. Guys with much better than the guys holmes faced, who fought guys with much better records.

Just take chambers and chagaev since they are the last two, two great fighters who would have been beasts against anyone. White tyson and fast eddie in the 80's...holmes would have ducked them, wlad dispatches both with ease.

I am ROFL'ing like there is no tomorrow

[Scott9945]

The heavyweights of Holmes' era were pretty good. Holmes' opponents, not so much.

[BigStereotype]

I don't think it was especially weak, but it was such a huge letdown from the Ali-Foreman-Frazier era and then there was the late 80's through 90's era immediately after.

[BattlingNelson]

I think it was weak. Nobody but Holmes managed to put a solid win-streak together against proven opponents. The best qualified challenger for Holmes was arguably Cooney and his credentials was made from blowing out fighters well past it (Norton, Lyle).

[CarlosG815]

I think it was weak. Nobody but Holmes managed to put a solid win-streak together against proven opponents. The best qualified challenger for Holmes was arguably Cooney and his credentials was made from blowing out fighters well past it (Norton, Lyle).

He would also lose 2 straight to Spinks which would never happen to a true ATG heavyweight. Spinks was never a great heavyweight and was made a household name as a HW for his win's over Holmes.

[StarshipTrooper]

He would also lose 2 straight to Spinks which would never happen to a true ATG heavyweight. Spinks was never a great heavyweight and was made a household name as a HW for his win's over Holmes.

I would point out that it also happend to Dempsey: Tunney, like Spinks, was a Light-Heavy who moved up and dethroned a past it Heavyweight Champion. Tunney and Spinks even have roughly the same number of fights at Heavyweight (around 5 give or take) and Spinks' opposition at that weight was actually better.

Poet

[Greatest1942]

I would point out that it also happend to Dempsey: Tunney, like Spinks, was a Light-Heavy who moved up and dethroned a past it Heavyweight Champion. Tunney and Spinks even have roughly the same number of fights at Heavyweight (around 5 give or take) and Spinks' opposition at that weight was actually better.

Poet

I, agree not much in that but Tunney had a better chin IMO. Coming back to Holmes era one of the big drawbacks against Larry is the experience level of some of his opponents. He fought some very inexperienced fighters. Another big drawback is he never gave rematch to Witherspoon and Weaver. Never fought perennial contenders and talented fighters like Page and Dokes, and against very ordinary heavies had serious trouble. He should have given atleast two rematches. The total win-lose record of his opponents should I say is pretty weak compared to Ali or Louis.

[BattlingNelson]

I, agree not much in that but Tunney had a better chin IMO. Coming back to Holmes era one of the big drawbacks against Larry is the experience level of some of his opponents. He fought some very inexperienced fighters. Another big drawback is he never gave rematch to Witherspoon and Weaver. Never fought perennial contenders and talented fighters like Page and Dokes, and against very ordinary heavies had serious trouble. He should have given atleast two rematches. The total win-lose record of his opponents should I say is pretty weak compared to Ali or Louis.

Louis' era is not comparable to Ali's. In fact Louis' era is IMO very weak as well as Holmes era.

[Forza]

I think this has already been said but, NO the division was not weak. It just looked bad compared to the ali-frazier-foreman-norton era.

It's such a damn shame holmes is so underrated. Best jab in HW history, maybe in all weight classes. Only person to take a prime shavers right hand to the jaw and still be able to get off the canvas and finish the fight.