i truly believe we didn't see the best Ali..
(Voting Over) Boxing Fantasy Fight HW Tournament Finals: (1) Muhammad Ali vs (2) Larry Holmes
- Thread starter King P
- Start date
InvictusAeternusEternus
In the cut
Ali via tko
by decision in a close fight
The only serious intangible that ali had over larry was speed..both of foot and hand speed and i think speed kills esp with underrated punching power which ali had..but speed can be nullified by a steady jab, along with a good chin and some pressure..things that larry had and was capable of doing..add to the fact that ali struggled a little bit with boxers/boxer-puncher types at times...so i think it would be a close decision that could go either way
Attribute wise...Ali trounces Larry in just about every category...Larry might have a bit more power in his right hand as well as a harder jab. But Ali had a harder left hook. Skillwise...I think Larry had a more varied offense and a better variance of punches and commited to the body more...while Ali threw better, more fluid combos... and had better defense...he was better at slipping, parrying & countering than Larry.
H2H Larry doesn't match up well with Ali at all and would lose clearly imo...He's not going to be able box with Ali. Just not fast enough. And Liston had a jab almost as good as Larry's and couldn't find his mark with it at all against Ali. And Larry isn't an effective pressure fighter, so it's not like he's going to cut off the ring and force Ali to the ropes...and he can't box with Ali in the center of the ring...so i don't see how he wins rds here.
And when did Ali struggle with boxer-punchers?
He handled Liston easily...and Quarry too.
His issues were with swarmers with awkward/unorthodox rhythms (Frazier, Norton)
Another boxer who's significantly slower would be FOOD for Ali.
Attribute wise...Ali trounces Larry in just about every category...Larry might have a bit more power in his right hand as well as a harder jab. But Ali had a harder left hook. Skillwise...I think Larry had a more varied offense and a better variance of punches and commited to the body more...while Ali threw better, more fluid combos... and had better defense...he was better at slipping, parrying & countering than Larry.
H2H Larry doesn't match up well with Ali at all and would lose clearly imo...He's not going to be able box with Ali. Just not fast enough. And Liston had a jab almost as good as Larry's and couldn't find his mark with it at all against Ali. And Larry isn't an effective pressure fighter, so it's not like he's going to cut off the ring and force Ali to the ropes...and he can't box with Ali in the center of the ring...so i don't see how he wins rds here.
And when did Ali struggle with boxer-punchers?
He handled Liston easily...and Quarry too.
His issues were with swarmers with awkward/unorthodox rhythms (Frazier, Norton)
Another boxer who's significantly slower would be FOOD for Ali.
i never really pegged as norton as a swarmer..that may warrant me running back some of his non ali fights that he won...he's the boxer puncher im talking about..but youre right about him being awkward as hell
He's an archetype swarmer.
Every single fight i've seen him in he's played the role of swarmer.
I think Holmes wins a close controversial decision.
what do you see to say that breh? curious
Jesus Is Lord
Give Thanks, Repent, and Forgive
Ali, split decision.
Holmes had the technical skill advantage an was only really a step below Ali in talent/athleticism. I feel he'd have to work twice as hard to make up for it, but it would also make him keep a steadier pace throughout the fight. Ultimately I think he'd outwork Ali, by boxing aggressively. Kinda like how Kessler beat Froch in the 1st fight.
Hope that makes sense.
HamAndEgger
All Star
Ali
The Fukin Prophecy
RIP Champ
Ali by SD...
Ali birthed Holmes style and he was a smarter boxer...
Ali birthed Holmes style and he was a smarter boxer...
Piff Huxtable
Delaney 2020,2024,2028...
King P
Legends Never Die
Winner: Muhammad Ali
