Would Tyson have defeated a prime Larry Holmes?

[Capaedia]

larry holems was never prime at heavyweight so its not a legit question

Larry Holmes never fought outside heavyweight.

Are you thinking of Michael Spinks?

[Kagami Taiga]

Larry Holmes never fought outside heavyweight.

Are you thinking of Michael Spinks?

lmao o ****. im kinda drunk. good call man., very embarrassing. yea i meant spinks.

[Pugilistic™]

Tyson had the power, speed, defense and inside fighting ability to get inside on Holmes and get his big shots in and he could do it consistently enough to possibly wear Holmes down and get a late stoppage.

Holmes had the size, jab, durability and overall boxing ability to keep Tyson at bay enough and win a decision.

What i think seperates them is the mental makeup of each fighter and Holmes clearly has the advantage here. He never backed when faced with adversity and even when dropped could get up and get back to work. Tyson didn't quite have that. In a few fights of his, he mentally checked out in some of them and against a fighter like Holmes who is bound to discourage you at some point, i just can't see Tyson being able to keep up with Holmes especially in the later rounds.

Holmes UD or late stoppage.

[Daddy T]

Tyson had the power, speed, defense and inside fighting ability to get inside on Holmes and get his big shots in and he could do it consistently enough to possibly wear Holmes down and get a late stoppage.

Holmes had the size, jab, durability and overall boxing ability to keep Tyson at bay enough and win a decision.

What i think seperates them is the mental makeup of each fighter and Holmes clearly has the advantage here. He never backed when faced with adversity and even when dropped could get up and get back to work. Tyson didn't quite have that. In a few fights of his, he mentally checked out in some of them and against a fighter like Holmes who is bound to discourage you at some point, i just can't see Tyson being able to keep up with Holmes especially in the later rounds.

Holmes UD or late stoppage.

i disagree, prime tyson with rooney in his corner had tremendous desire and ability to change and adapt his tactics - its the post rooney tyson that had all the weaknesses

I think alot of people here say holmes but if it actually came down to it and they had to bet on either the Tyson that fought spinx or pretty much any version of holmes - say the holmes that showed up against norton/shavers or ali and i doubt if you would actually put your hard earned cash anywahere but on Tyson ... be honest guys.

[kendom]

Holmes has a strong chance but if he gets caught like against Snipes he's in serious trouble. Tyson hits harder than Snipes and was a much better finisher, not to mention Holmes's habit of fighting back when hurt would detriment his chances of surviving. Its almost a 50/50 fight but I'm slightly leaning towards Tyson.

[Thickback]

I think if they did fight in their respective primes there is no doubt that Tyson would have bitten Holmes in frustration in the 9th or 10th round. Im being dead serious too.

Larry was not a dirty fighter. He did not use his head as a weapon like Holyfield did against Tyson. That wasn't frustration, it was retaliation. You could see Tyson damn near drop to the canvas a couple times from head butts.

Larry's jab prolly would have kept Tyson at bay. But a disciplined Tyson would've made it a classic fight and he definitely had the tools to win. Post prison Tyson would've gotten outboxed. I can't pick a winner, but I typically lean towards Tyson in debates like this. Maybe cause thats the era I came up in. Or just cause he was a damn beast!

[Pugilistic™]

i disagree, prime tyson with rooney in his corner had tremendous desire and ability to change and adapt his tactics - its the post rooney tyson that had all the weaknesses

I think alot of people here say holmes but if it actually came down to it and they had to bet on either the Tyson that fought spinx or pretty much any version of holmes - say the holmes that showed up against norton/shavers or ali and i doubt if you would actually put your hard earned cash anywahere but on Tyson ... be honest guys.

Obviously those mental issues weren't quite as obvious in his prime but they were there even if they weren't quite as bad.

I can't remember what fights it was but even a young Tyson showed signs of frustration and went passive when things weren't going his way.

Tyson also thrived when he was able to intimidate his opponent before the fight. When he got into their mind before the bell went, he had pretty much already won. That wouldn't happen with Holmes. So mentally tough and stubborn as hell.

Tyson in his prime or at any stage doesn't quite match up with Holmes mentally.

Holmes has the perfect style to minimize Tyson's strengths with his height, jab, durability and his overall boxing ability. I'm not saying Tyson has no chance though. With that combination of power and speed ( plus other things he brings to the table like his defense,footwork,etc) Tyson has a chance against any heavyweight in history.

[Atreyu Khalil]

Obviously those mental issues weren't quite as obvious in his prime but they were there even if they weren't quite as bad.

I can't remember what fights it was but even a young Tyson showed signs of frustration and went passive when things weren't going his way.

His first ten rounder vs Tillis?

[crold1]

Out of 10 fights, I'd say Holmes wins between 6 and 8. Holmes was a bad man with a great chin, and his style was one Tyson would struggle with.

I think this is a good assessment. Holmes is most underrated as just a straight nasty warrior. He was often willing to go to the level of foes and duke it out but one would have to figure he'd be LOCKED in for a Tyson. Holmes had great recuperative powers if hurt but that jab would have been sizzling for a threat like Mike.

[Ray Corso]

Tyson always has a punchers chance early in a fight but I like Holmes tuffness over a fragile Tyson who bombed out all bums in his "great" early "prime" career! Holmes had a great jab but its his upper cut against Tyson that will tell the story. You do take a chance throwing that shot but if your accurate the first time your gonna do well against a Tyson who stands up when he's hit!! Tyson must come out and be explosive in the first round or he has only a punchers chance for the next 4 or 5 rounds, after that Holmes beats him up badly. If Evander made Tyson quit what do you think a young hungry and mean Larry Holmes will do!! Right! kick his butt! Ray.