Holmes v Lewis (Prime) who takes this and why

[P4P GOAT]

Holmes v Lewis (Prime) who takes this and why? two tactical chess players. Probably a boring fight and sure fire controversial points decision, if it went all the way.

I like Lewis early, but Holmes late. Holmes does have a tendency to fight with his head straight up and his hands down a lot, but he does have great recuperative powers and tons of heart, if he gets in trouble.

Lewis has more power, but he has less stamina, because of his sheer size. Would that stamina come into play in a tactical chess match ? who knows. Lewis does not have the resilience/ heart of Holmes either. Larry is quicker too.

What Lewis does have going for him is power/strength and good counter punching skills.

PS Lewis is a better finisher than Mike Weaver,Earnie Shavers.

[El Dominicano]

I'll say Larry Holmes, I believe Holmes will move outbox him and Lewis will have to resort to brawling only, I don't see Lewis beating Holmes on the outside, I know Lewis has a really good jab but not nearly as good as Holmes

Larry Holmes U.D

I better not hear anyone say K.O cuz none of these dudes is getting K.O

[P4P GOAT]

I'll say Larry Holmes, I believe Holmes will move outbox him and Lewis will have to resort to brawling only, I don't see Lewis beating Holmes on the outside, I know Lewis has a really good jab but not nearly as good as Holmes

Larry Holmes U.D

I better not hear anyone say K.O cuz none of these dudes is getting K.O

I think Lewis would get outjabbed aswell. Not just, because Holmes has a great jab, but because Lewis's jab is overrated, he got outjabbed by Ray Mercer at times, and he was clearly outjabbed by Frank Bruno.

[Ryn0]

Lewis wins, Lewis never had a big problem with good jabbers, which is what Holmes was. He had a problem with guys who could punch and take Lewis punch coming forward like McCall and Rahman (Rahman chin wasn't great but his right hand was)

Holmes might have a problem here because he's facing a guy with a jab almost as good as his and a large, relatively big puncher. I take Lewis by UD.

Bad match up for Holmes

[eazy_mas]

Holmes better jab control the fight pacing.

Lewis have a good range but the ability to use the jab better is Holmes.

[TheGreatA]

Lewis wins, Lewis never had a big problem with good jabbers, which is what Holmes was. He had a problem with guys who could punch and take Lewis punch coming forward like McCall and Rahman (Rahman chin wasn't great but his right hand was)

Holmes might have a problem here because he's facing a guy with a jab almost as good as his and a large, relatively big puncher. I take Lewis by UD.

Bad match up for Holmes

He had a lot of trouble with Mercer and Bruno who were able to outjab him.



Old Holmes vs Mercer:

[IMDAZED]

I might be in the minority but I'm going with Holmes. Footwork was too good and his jab would be Lennox's nightmare. Just watch Mercer give Lewis probvlems--imagine what a prime Holmes would do?

It's a shame that still, to the very day, Larry Holmes is so underrated.

[eazy_mas]

Here is the dealo

similar to the Rahman fight Holmes would not go all to the head he would jab the stomach so to reduce Lewis speed and will make him crouch down.

He also not going to stand in front of Lewis all the time he would move aroudn which will make Lewis to restart his rythme mood.

[Steak]

Im not going to call myself a Larry Holmes expert or anything, but he didnt dominate all his fights either. Im thinking about the Tim Witherspoon fight in particular(although Tim is highly underrated), and Holmes didnt have an easy time with Renaldo Snipes either. The Norton fight was damn close too, but then again, Norton was a fantastic fighter unless he got matched up against certain guys...

I would actually like to see people's opinions on how a Norton vs Lewis fight would go, because Lewis is somehow a combo of Norton's choice opponent and his worst nightmare.

comparing common opponents however, you could actually say that 40+ year old Larry Holmes beat Mercer more one sidedly than Lewis did.

I think this would be a very close fight.

[Ryn0]

He had a lot of trouble with Mercer and Bruno who were able to outjab him.



Old Holmes vs Mercer:

I've seen the fights no need to remind me, Michael Grant was meant to have a good jab and he took hm apart fairly well. Weren't the Mercer and Bruno fights before he fought trained with Emmanuel Steward. Pre-Steward I don't consider that a Prime Lewis.

Steward significantly improved Lewis own jab and his ability to fight on the outside, he had a tendancy to fight very close pre-Steward which helped jabbers as they were able to keep him at bay
EDIT: Steward was brought in post- McCall