Prime Muhammad Ali vs. Prime Larry Holmes.

[VG_Addict]

We know what happened when they fought, but what if it were prime Ali?

[rightsideup]

We know what happened when they fought, but what if it were prime Ali?

When do you figure ali was at his prime? I favor ali in a close but clear victory

[sonnyboyx2]

In my opinion i don't think this fight would be very close. Prime Muhammad Ali 64-68 would anihilate Larry Holmes. Ali had a faster jab, better jab, better footwork, better boxer, better chin. Ali was an all round better fighter and boxer, he was in a totally different league to what Larry Holmes was in. Muhammad Ali would win via stoppage 6-9rds

[billeau2]

Holmes had incredible lateral movement, Ali simply moved his head....Holmes had a great jab, Ali could beat you with only a lead right jab, Holmes could set up punches well, Ali could go from hands held low to throwing a five plus punch combo...

Holmes never had the athletic ability of a sweet pea, Jones, Robinson...Ali did.

[Dynamite76]

It would be one of prime Ali's toughest fights, but he would win a decision, anywhere from 11-4 to 9-6 in rounds.

[smeck]

Ali sparred with Holmes, so, even past his prime, he thought he could beat Larry. Larry may have said he was taking it easy but it seemed like he was trying to take Muhammad out (and the fight was stopped after 10 with him still trying to get Ali down).

Larry would not have beaten a prime Ali.

Larry did have a great fight with Ken Norton, though, to become a champ. He had good victories over Shavers, Weaver and a few others. But mostly he went the distance with the better fighters and nobody seems to remember these as spectacular. A lot of jabbing going on. Probably his stoppage of Cooney is his highlight.

[OctoberRed]

Prime Ali would get revenge on Prime Holmes for that beating later in life.

[billeau2]

Its very interesting...Nice that Larry is getting some luv. I mean he was abused by the press and he did stand up to King.

Somehow it became a back channel that looped off the major historical path... it started with a whisper and then a yell! "Well Larry had a better jab!" Larry had this, Larry had that!

Larry had a great jab, Larry had great mobility and Larry had excellent lateral movement for sure. But Ali had all that plus natural gifts that made him outstanding.

[QueensburyRules]

- -Put it this way, age 28-29 considered to be the defacto male athletic prime peak.

Lar gets his first title shot and Ali getting his 2nd crack at the title. Glaringly obvious what Ali would do to Lar, a racehorse vs a plow horse.

We also know the result of that Frazier fight, a magnificent spectacle as was the Norton fight to a lesser extent.

Ain't a stretch that Joe would light up Lar to smoke him out by ten rds. Be worse than what Rocky did to Archie.

[GhostofDempsey]

I would favor Ali by UD. The fight would be competitive, with Larry finding his spots here and there, especially when Ali leans back from punches or insists on keeping his hands at his sides. Larry was a smart enough boxer to make you pay for your mistakes, and Ali made plenty. But, Ali was quicker on his feet and faster with his hands. His durable chin would stand up to Larry's best punches and Ali would pot shot his way to a lack-luster victory. Not a memorable fight.