Would Holmes have beaten a prime Ali?

[BattlingNelson]

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?

Ali wins a clear decision.

The notion that Holmes gave Ali all he could handle probably stems from the fact that Ali almost exclusively worked on defense in sparring post Foreman. I saw an interview with Holmes once where he said said that Ali's braindamage might have come from his sparring and that he never understood why he'd let his sparringpartners work him over so hard.

[dans]

Ali wins a clear decision.

The notion that Holmes gave Ali all he could handle probably stems from the fact that Ali almost exclusively worked on defense in sparring post Foreman. I saw an interview with Holmes once where he said said that Ali's braindamage might have come from his sparring and that he never understood why he'd let his sparringpartners work him over so hard.

Hmm, very interesting. You don't happen to know where that video is?

[BattlingNelson]

Hmm, very interesting. You don't happen to know where that video is?

No. And I'm not 100% certain that it was in a vid.

[JOM'S]

we are talking primes ... before vietnam years layoff ... no way ...

ali was just faster, better than Larry at their peaks...

[hookoutofhell]

holmes shouldn't be underestimated, imo he is the bigger man out of the two, has the better jab and most cases that alone should be enough.

but in most cases weren't talking about a fighter like ali, imo ali could be very elusive and slippery. his speed and reflexes would mean that he could counter holmes.

holmes would be a game fighter though, he was athletically gifted himself and was smart in the ring. but ali's speed and cunning would be too much.

[JOM'S]

Ali wins a clear decision.

The notion that Holmes gave Ali all he could handle probably stems from the fact that Ali almost exclusively worked on defense in sparring post Foreman. I saw an interview with Holmes once where he said said that Ali's braindamage might have come from his sparring and that he never understood why he'd let his sparringpartners work him over so hard.

Hmm, very interesting. You don't happen to know where that video is?

yeah that's interesting tidbit ...that is a great find if ever ...

[dans]

yeah that's interesting tidbit ...that is a great find if ever ...

If you watch "Don King: Only in America" they show some scenes of the sparring. Before the Foreman fight, Ali told Holmes to just work the body, over and over.

[JOM'S]

holmes shouldn't be underestimated, imo he is the bigger man out of the two, has the better jab and most cases that alone should be enough.

but in most cases weren't talking about a fighter like ali, imo ali could be very elusive and slippery. his speed and reflexes would mean that he could counter holmes.

holmes would be a game fighter though, he was athletically gifted himself and was smart in the ring. but ali's speed and cunning would be too much.

i dont underestimate larry, imho its a better match up, prime holmes post retirement/ban ali ...

[JOM'S]

If you watch "Don King: Only in America" they show some scenes of the sparring. Before the Foreman fight, Ali told Holmes to just work the body, over and over.

do you know where can I find a clip on the internet?

i thought parkinson is more related to hits on the head rather than the body?

[dans]

do you know where can I find a clip on the internet?

i thought parkinson is more related to hits on the head rather than the body?

Oh, well I don't know about the body shots and parkinsons, more just the point that Ali would allow his sparring partners to beat him up.

I don't know where there's a clip sorry. Try YouTube for Ali and Holmes sparring.