Holmes v Lewis (Prime) who takes this and why

[TheGreatA]

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

Grant had a good jab but it's not like he ever got to use it, he was destroyed in the first round and finished off in the second.

Steward was in Lewis' corner during the Mercer fight. He had the great performance against Tommy Morrison before it and defeated McCall and Golota right after the fight against Mercer.

Lewis has never fought anyone with the jab, the movement and the stamina of a prime Holmes but then again Holmes hasn't fought a talented big man like Lewis either.

[P4P GOAT]

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.

You gotta point there. Can you imagine Lewis having to jab down to Norton, whilst Norton would be looking for that counter right hand over the top.

[Deja_Vous]

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.

Larry..because he could get off the floor to win.

Once Lennox was down THAT WAS IT..

[MANGLER]

Holmes. Much quicker than LL. Still shorter, but tall enuf to negate some advantages LL usually had against much shorter guys.

[Ryn0]

Holmes wasn't a huge puncher.....

Lewis was KD'd twice and he got up against McCall. Watch

[P4P GOAT]

Larry..because he could get off the floor to win.

Once Lennox was down THAT WAS IT..

True, but also think to yourself did Larry ever get in that kind of trouble with a good finisher?

[Ryn0]

Grant had a good jab but it's not like he ever got to use it, he was destroyed in the first round and finished off in the second.

Steward was in Lewis' corner during the Mercer fight. He had the great performance against Tommy Morrison before it and defeated McCall and Golota right after the fight against Mercer.

Lewis has never fought anyone with the jab, the movement and the stamina of a prime Holmes but then again Holmes hasn't fought a talented big man like Lewis either.

It very much a mystery fight, I just believe that Lewis who had never been BEATEN by a good jabber would defeat Holmes.

Holmes would be jabbing UP and if Lewis fought like he did later in his career like against Tua using his height then Holmes may have a problem getting his jab to work. Lewis main weakness is that he bends down which made him vunerable to a the overhand right but he got rid of that habit later on in his career. I believe Lewis size advantage would be a huge problem for Holmes stylistically

[TheGreatA]

It very much a mystery fight, I just believe that Lewis who had never been BEATEN by a good jabber would defeat Holmes.

Holmes would be jabbing UP and if Lewis fought like he did later in his career like against Tua using his height then Holmes may have a problem getting his jab to work. Lewis main weakness is that he bends down which made him vunerable to a the overhand right but he got rid of that habit later on in his career. I believe Lewis size advantage would be a huge problem for Holmes stylistically

How many great jabbers did Lewis fight though?

Holmes is almost Lewis' height at 6'4 with a similar reach of 81 inches. Lewis has a big advantage in weight but I believe a prime Holmes' movement and speed would negate it.

[Ryn0]

How many great jabbers did Lewis fight though?

Holmes is almost Lewis' height at 6'4 with a similar reach of 81 inches. Lewis has a big advantage in weight but I believe a prime Holmes' movement and speed would negate it.

I could counter that with how many people of Lewis skill level and size did Holmes fight?

Depends which Lewis and which Holmes come into the ring. I believe firmly is the Lewis that fought Tua walked into the ring he would UD Holmes but if the Lewis that fought Rahman the first time walked into the ring Holmes would win.

Whereas if it were the Holmes that faced Shavers who got careless often then Lewis would walk away with the win. You have to remember there were many versions of Lennox but I'm sure you're familiar with those.

Lewis when he at his best was a very good jabber too thats where I think Lewis size comes in, Holmes was a great jabber IMO the greatest HW jab but Lewis could jab also IMO Lewis was the bigger puncher as well but I don't expect anyone to get wobbled or hurt in this fight unless the versions that turned up in the Rahman and Shavers fight turned up

[eazy_mas]

I remember Lennox Lewis commente on Hashim Rahman when he was fighting big O.

He said that Rahman won him because of the jab to the stomach and it helped him alot.

Hashim Rahman has one of the most underrated jabs in boxing. The problem is he doesnt use it much in the Olge fight he abandon the jab and started to lost right after.