Mike Tyson: I couldn't beat Larry Holmes in his prime

[Jim Jeffries]

Foreman didn't want it with Holmes, it was a fight that could have been made but didn't and Foreman is to blame, he ducked Holmes. I have seen a lot of interviews with Holmes and he kept saying Foreman ducked him and the fight could have made, also an interview from Foreman saying he wasn't "interested". Maybe Foreman realised something from the ali fight, or their styles (Holmes and foreman) so he was aware...

You realize that the fight Holmes was talking about is when they were both over 50?

Foreman ducking Holmes....... that's hilarious.

I doubt Holmes would have had much of a career if Foreman hadn't taken 10 years off from boxing.

[warp1432]

I think Tyson could very well beat Holmes in his prime. Holmes would get dropped, but probably get up. The jab would really bother Tyson, but I can see Tyson getting to Holmes in the early rounds. It might end out in SD.

Ali vs Tyson on the other hand, I would definietly go with Ali. Like Holmes, Ali had a great jab, but was faster then Holmes. Ali could take a punch pretty damn well and I think he could keep Tyson off him. I see Ali taking it by a clear decision. It might be close, but Ali would clearly take it.

Ali vs Holmes, prime for prime, is a hard match up though. I'm not sure who I'd go with in that one, but I might have to go with Ali.

I do think a tall, quick, jabber is Tyson's weakness though which is why I would favor Lennox and Evander over him even in Tyson's prime.

[GoodBoxfella]

w/e



What I'm saying is Larry Holmes could have possably beaten Ali. I'm not talking about who Holmes beat and who Ali beat. I'm talking about them fighting each other. I'd pick Ali but I think Holmes would have a serious chance.

And what I meant was that Holmes is overrated because he never faced great fighters like Ali did. You're tested and rated by who you beat, not who you might beat. Ali has beaten legends and has the best resume ever of any heavyweight. That's why people favor him against anybody. So just because Holmes looked great against bums and other decent fighters, doesn't mean he would still fight as good when facing a prime Ali.

Holmes lost his first fight at age 36 against Michael Spinks.

He had great fights with tough, hard-punching cookies such as Shavers, Norton, Cooney etc.
After losing to Tyson at age 38, he went another 4 years before losing a 12 round decision against Holyfield.

I disapprove of what you wrote, but I'll die defending your right to write it.

Shavers and Cooney are easy pickings, and should be beaten by anybody like Ali and Holmes. Only diffirence is that Holmes was nearly decapitated. Ali beat a younger Shavers when he was way past his prime. Holmes nearly lost against an old Norton, while ALi fought a prime Norton 3 times and did very well despite Norton's perfect style to beat Muhammad.

Imo both Holmes and Tyson are the most overrated champions.