Yesterday Prospects

[Ben Bolt]

Two prospects, one taking step by step, one taking the shortcut.

Ali’s sparring partners Larry Holmes, 16-0, and Rodney Bobick clash in 1975.
Larry’s first big fight – against the commentator of this night, Norton – is still three years ahead.



Tim Witherspoon, 15-0, chooses to challenge seasoned champ Larry Holmes, 42-0, in 1983.

[Scott9945]

Two prospects, one taking step by step, one taking the shortcut.

Ali’s sparring partners Larry Holmes, 16-0, and Rodney Bobick clash in 1975.
Larry’s first big fight – against the commentator of this night, Norton – is still three years ahead.



Tim Witherspoon, 15-0, chooses to challenge seasoned champ Larry Holmes, 42-0, in 1983.

Witherspoon deserved a rematch and was ducked by Holmes.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

I don't know what your point is in this thread.

Are you saying Larry paid his dues more and that's why he had the better career..
I think Witherspoon's career was hampered by out of ring issues, no Holmes rematch, and really no big fights after that..Witherspoon was probably the most talented heavyweight of the 80s besides Holmes n Tyson

[rightsideup]

I don't know what your point is in this thread.

Are you saying Larry paid his dues more and that's why he had the better career..
I think Witherspoon's career was hampered by out of ring issues, no Holmes rematch, and really no big fights after that..Witherspoon was probably the most talented heavyweight of the 80s besides Holmes n Tyson

tim could easily had a better carreer with better discipline and no don king in his life.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

tim could easily had a better carreer with better discipline and no don king in his life.

For sure,,

I actually feel really bad for him.. He was basically a prospect when he fought Holmes, and lost a heated decision. Had solid wins over the likes if tubbs, Bruno.. Lost the close decision to pink... And I'm pretty sure he had already smoked bonecrusher before being stopped in 1 by him..

[Ben Bolt]

I don't know what your point is in this thread.

No point, really. Noticed this early Holmes fight had had few viewers on youtube, so I could as well share it.
And the Larry vs Tim vid was suitable to go along with it. Larry is fighting this guy with a comparable record of his in 1975 and at the same age.

Witherspoon was probably the most talented heavyweight of the 80s besides Holmes n Tyson

Yep.

[TBear]

For sure,,

I actually feel really bad for him.. He was basically a prospect when he fought Holmes, and lost a heated decision. Had solid wins over the likes if tubbs, Bruno.. Lost the close decision to pink... And I'm pretty sure he had already smoked bonecrusher before being stopped in 1 by him..

Smoked is an interesting term, yes Witherspoon had his way with Smith the first time around but after the rematch in which he lost the title in one, he tested positive for marijuana. Perhaps not the best training method.

[Scott9945]

Smoked is an interesting term, yes Witherspoon had his way with Smith the first time around but after the rematch in which he lost the title in one, he tested positive for marijuana. Perhaps not the best training method.

I don't make this type of claim often, but I'm almost certain that Witherspoon took a dive in the Bonecrusher rematch to get out of his contract with Don King.

[New England]

it's mazing to see a 16 fight HW put puches toegether like that. HW today don't even throw combinations, nevermind going out there and working for most of the round.


kenny norton is a great commentator, as well.

[Ben Bolt]

I don't make this type of claim often, but I'm almost certain that Witherspoon took a dive in the Bonecrusher rematch to get out of his contract with Don King.

That's what Tim says. And, hardly surprising, Bonecrusher says it wasn't so.

http://www.boxing.com/terrible_times_a_life_of_tim_witherspoon.html