If Holmes was prime during the Ali-Frazier-Foreman-Norton era

[BKM-]

How do you see him doing? For me, he'd be one of them but not dominant. Beats Foreman, loses to Ali, trades wins and losses against Frazier and Norton.

Also would have a lot of problems against prime Lyle and Young.

[Willy Wanker]

I've always thought Frazier vs. Holmes would be a very intriguing fight. Hard for me to pick a winner here.

I think he beats Foreman by wide decision, Norton by close decision, and he would lose to Ali in a close decision.

[BKM-]

I've always thought Frazier vs. Holmes would be a very intriguing fight. Hard for me to pick a winner here.

I think he beats Foreman by wide decision, Norton by close decision, and he would lose to Ali in a close decision.

I agree on all points except Norton, as prime Holmes had a close fight that could have gone either way against past prime Norton. A prime Norton would edge it clearly imo.

[Sugarj]

I agree on all points except Norton, as prime Holmes had a close fight that could have gone either way against past prime Norton. A prime Norton would edge it clearly imo.

Larry was carrying a nasty bicep injury into the Norton fight in 1978 though. I'd wager that the Holmes of 1980/81 was in his prime and possibly a little green in 1978.

Tough fight regardless; Norton was a very nasty proposition for any heavyweight who didn't have the knockout power of a Foreman, Shavers or Cooney.

As for prime Holmes vs the rest. I think he'd probably decision Foreman after having some real scares early. Ali was probably at his '70s' best in 1974 and I honestly think that is a very tough fight to pick.......but the judges would almost certainly give the fight to Ali if it was close! 1971 Frazier is a nasty fight for Holmes; but I do think that prime Holmes is a little bit better than 'Fight of the Century' 1971 Ali. A draw would be a tempting bet!

I would favour Holmes fairly comfortably over the rest of the 70s contenders; Lyle, Quarry, Ellis. Though Jimmy Young would be a tough technical match.

[GhostofDempsey]

I think Holmes would have beaten Frazier and Foreman. Probably split some wins losses against Norton. Not sure about prime Ali. Holmes had one of the best jabs in boxing and was equal with Ali in terms of size and power. I always wanted to see Holmes/Foreman after Foreman made his comeback. They were talking about a fight in their 40s, and I think Foreman would actually have won in their 40s but lost in their respective primes.

[Juan Acero]

How do you see him doing? For me, he'd be one of them but not dominant. Beats Foreman, loses to Ali, trades wins and losses against Frazier and Norton.

Also would have a lot of problems against prime Lyle and Young.

Why would you thing he'd struggle with Young of all people??
lol


Holmes goes through all those cans undefeated.

[BKM-]

Why would you thing he'd struggle with Young of all people??
lol


Holmes goes through all those cans undefeated.

You haven't watched Larry's career much have you?(Or Young's for that matter) He struggled with fighters below Young's level. For instance Shavers and Williams who gave him huge trouble, were not as good as Lyle and Young.

[Elroy The Great]

imho, prime holmes would be the man in any era.

[Elroy The Great]

You haven't watched Larry's career much have you?(Or Young's for that matter) He struggled with fighters below Young's level. For instance Shavers and Williams who gave him huge trouble, were not as good as Lyle and Young.

PTI.....

sometimes a guys lesser opponent will rise up to perform better than expected

OR

a top guy will not shine vs a d level guy every now and then (for whatever reason).

may was not at his best vs a brawler like maidana but completely owned canelo.

didnt bruce finch score a kd over srl ?

a nobody named frankie randall gave jcc more than fits.

tyson had his struggle moments.

so many examples.

[The Old LefHook]

Everyone struggled with Young at his best.