Would Holmes have beaten a prime Ali?

**bojangles1987** · 12-22-2009, 08:14 AM

We're talking prime Ali, before prison, so no. Holmes, as much as he protests otherwise fought like Ali but was never as good. Ali by decision. That Ali was too physically gifted and had some underrated power.

**dans** · 12-22-2009, 08:22 AM

Originally posted by bojangles1987

We're talking prime Ali, before prison, so no. Holmes, as much as he protests otherwise fought like Ali but was never as good. Ali by decision. That Ali was too physically gifted and had some underrated power.

But Holmes was different than most of the fighters Ali faced. He was tall, had a great jab, and was very athletic. I think he gives a prime Ali a run for his money.

I would favor Ali, like you, though.

**The_Demon** · 12-22-2009, 08:24 AM

i voted for the third option

holmes was one of the best HW's ever imo and he could almost match ali in any one area

problem is,its very difficult too favour anybody over prime ali,however good they were

**El_Cholo** · 12-22-2009, 08:24 AM

would favour Ali by decision, but Holmes certainly tests him.

**King Koopa** · 12-22-2009, 08:29 AM

Holmes was all wrong for Ali, he would win

**DiLLiNGER** · 12-22-2009, 08:30 AM

Originally posted by bojangles1987

We're talking prime Ali, before prison, so no. Holmes, as much as he protests otherwise fought like Ali but was never as good. Ali by decision. That Ali was too physically gifted and had some underrated power.

Ali never went to prison,he nearly did for refusing to enter the military...while waiting for the court to decide he had his license revoked that's why he didn't fight for a while.

**dans** · 12-22-2009, 08:33 AM

Originally posted by King Koopa

Holmes was all wrong for Ali, he would win

See I don't know about that. Holmes was all wrong for a old, STATIONARY Ali.

A dancing Ali would've been much tougher for Holmes. Not as easy to stick a jab when a guy is moving all around.

**Dynamite Kid** · 12-22-2009, 08:35 AM

Originally posted by dans01234

By the time Larry Holmes got to Ali, he was way past prime and deteriorating physically. But I wonder how a prime Ali would fare against Larry Holmes?

They used to spare together and people would say that Larry gave him all he could handle, but I'm not sure if Larry beat a prime Ali.

What do you say?

When they say "Larry gave him all he could handle" they are talking about Ali from the Foreman days aren't they? that is waay past Ali's prime.

I think Ali would beat Holmes, Ali was better at using angles than Holmes who was stiffer and tight at times. I think Ali's suppleness, hand speed, fluid movement would offset that tighter,stiffer Holmes.

Holmes would find it hard to get his jab off against prime Ali who used his legs.

**dans** · 12-22-2009, 08:41 AM

Originally posted by Dynamite Kid

When they say "Larry gave him all he could handle" they are talking about Ali from the Foreman days aren't they? that is waay past Ali's prime.

I think Ali would beat Holmes, Ali was better at using angles than Holmes who was stiffer and tight at times. I think Ali's suppleness, hand speed, fluid movement would offset that tighter,stiffer Holmes.

Holmes would find it hard to get his jab off against prime Ali who used his legs.

I agree with you, see:

Originally posted by dans01234

See I don't know about that. Holmes was all wrong for a old, STATIONARY Ali.

A dancing Ali would've been much tougher for Holmes. Not as easy to stick a jab when a guy is moving all around.

Would Holmes have beaten a prime Ali?