What was special about Larry Holmes ?

[Dempsey19]

Why do people generally not seem to think that Holmes would be at a significant physical disadvantage against modern heavyweights but the similarly sized Ali and Liston would be ?

Is it to do with Holmes’ style ? Or is it because of his having a very good record against 200+ pound men because by his time 200+ pound men had become a fairly common sight and the cruiser weight division was also created removing the sub 200 pound men from the equation ?

[_Rexy_]

Because he was one of the best HW boxers of all time

And Liston would dominate the division today also.

[kushking]

Why do people generally not seem to think that Holmes would be at a significant physical disadvantage against modern heavyweights but the similarly sized Ali and Liston would be ?

Is it to do with Holmes’ style ? Or is it because of his having a very good record against 200+ pound men because by his time 200+ pound men had become a fairly common sight and the cruiser weight division was also created removing the sub 200 pound men from the equation ?

2pac: "you look like Larry Holmes all flabby & sick,player hating off my sht you can eat a fat ****" That verse sums up what made Holmes great,he was a flabby fat fck but he had a sweet left hook. exceptional jab,unbelievably so actually...

[Rockybigblower]

Overhand right.

[Qbox]

Best jab for a heavyweight I have seen.

[QueensburyRules]

- -Ali and Liston had vast natural physiological advantages over him as hundreds of heavies have had.

He was a gritty overachiever with a padded record that fell apart the first time he faced a standing champ with a title won in the ring, his 0-5 record kinda showing his real potential in any kind of tourney of champs.

[Rusty Tromboni]

- -Ali and Liston had vast natural physiological advantages over him as hundreds of heavies have had.

He was a gritty overachiever with a padded record that fell apart the first time he faced a standing champ with a title won in the ring, his 0-5 record kinda showing his real potential in any kind of tourney of champs.

you're right in word, but wrong in spirit.


I think holmes' problem was his gift. Unlike the careers of Tyson and Ali who sandwiched him, Holmes didn't have tremendous physical tools and a desire to fight (and kill) anyone w/ a heartbeat. He was a first rate technician and tactically minded. That applied not just to his fights, but also to his career. He was like Joe Satriani to Ali's Jimmy Page and Tyson's Eddie Van Halen.

Another way to look at him is as a Heavyweight Mayweather. Great Boxer-Puncher - who preferred to box his clumsier opponents. And very carefully crafted his career. They act like we're dopes who don't know what they were doing. We would have respected them more and better tolerated their fanboys if they stopped denying the stunt, and just candidly presented themselves.