1985 Larry Holmes vs. 2003 Roy Jones Jr.

[KOTF]

Spinks was able to do it, how about Roy Jones?

[Ste Hawkins]

Not even close mate. The only chance Roy had in the HW division was to pick a small heavyweight who wasn't mobile or hard to hit. Holmes has both of those talents as well as one of the most accurate,fast jabs in the HW division. Roy would struggle to find the range and get close, Holmes would dominate heavily IMO. :bbb

[WhataRock]

Oneil Bell

[mr. magoo]

Though the consensus seems dead set against it, I think its very possible for Jones to eek out a close decision over a 35 year old, deconditioned and complacent Holmes. Jones was far quicker at this stage in the game and may well have been a better technician in the first place, or certainly close to it. Larry looked horrible against Spinks in the first fight, and while the Carl Williams fight was extremely close, it wouldn't have been unreasonable to declare Williams as the winner.

Now, the question here is WOULD Jones beat Holmes? My answer is maybe not, but the question of COULD he pull it off, is certainly a possibility.

[Sister Sledge]

Though the consensus seems dead set against it, I think its very possible for Jones to eek out a close decision over a 35 year old, deconditioned and complacent Holmes. Jones was far quicker at this stage in the game and may well have been a better technician in the first place, or certainly close to it. Larry looked horrible against Spinks in the first fight, and while the Carl Williams fight was extremely close, it wouldn't have been unreasonable to declare Williams as the winner.

Now, the question here is WOULD Jones beat Holmes? My answer is maybe not, but the question of COULD he pull it off, is certainly a possibility.

In no way, shape or form should Jones ever be considered as good a technician as Holmes.

[Rumsfeld]

In no way, shape or form should Jones ever be considered as good a technician as Holmes.

Co-sign!

[Unforgiven]

If Roy Jones had fought Lennox Lewis in 2003 instead of John Ruiz then we'd have something solid to gauge this question off.

[ThinBlack]

THere is no way Jones wil be able to deal with a faded but still strong Holmes.Holmes kayoes six Jones.

[Bummy Davis]

I dont think Jones was as strong as Spinks but if he played a cat and mouse he may make it close, just that chin makes it doubtful

[Duodenum]

In no way, shape or form should Jones ever be considered as good a technician as Holmes.If he was, he wouldn't have aged as poorly as he has.

Could Roy's chin even hold up to the Holmes jab? (The Holmes of Ocasio would have killed him with it, but Larry had regressed to flicking with it a bit by 1985.)

[PowerPuncher]

Though the consensus seems dead set against it, I think its very possible for Jones to eek out a close decision over a 35 year old, deconditioned and complacent Holmes. Jones was far quicker at this stage in the game and may well have been a better technician in the first place, or certainly close to it. Larry looked horrible against Spinks in the first fight, and while the Carl Williams fight was extremely close, it wouldn't have been unreasonable to declare Williams as the winner.

Now, the question here is WOULD Jones beat Holmes? My answer is maybe not, but the question of COULD he pull it off, is certainly a possibility.

Good analysis, an old Holmes would have trouble with Jones speed of hand and foot, Holmes was also too old to chase down the KO, is it worth noting Ruiz pretty much has the same dimensions as Holmes? Jones himself was fading by this stage but the Ruiz performance was still an excellent 1 and hes a better boxer than Spinks although hes smaller

[Body Head]

Holmes was definitely not a knockout artist. Jones would definitely be able to hang in there for quite a few arounds and win most, but I think Larry could win by TKO in the 9th or 10th.

If it did go to a decision then I would pick Jones to win. Michael Spinks was a big light heavyweight 6'3" and Jones was only 5'10".


A win for Jones is definitely a possibility considering it was a 1985 version of Holmes.

[Dempsey1238]

Perhaps, but I think Holmes may still take it.

I belive the Ruiz win over rated Jones Jr for a while.


Max Kellerman was saying Ray Robinson could beat Marciano, that Jones Jr could beat Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Jack Dempsey and Joe Fraizer to boot.


Even today, I cant see Jones Jr beating these heavyweight legends. He didnt "Earn" it so to speak, beating Ruiz is a far cry than beating Joe Louis or Marciano imo.

I dont even consider Jones "Heavyweight" Champion so to speak since the real champ was Lewis at the time. Had Jones fought and beat Lewis, sure I give Roy credit, but he didnt.

[Blood Green]

I like Jones in this matchup. I think Larry would try to outbox Jones and wind up losing. Jones' speed would 'cause more problems than Spinks presented. In regard to Jones' chin, there's a reason why nobody was able to touch it until past the Ruiz fight.

[combatesdeboxeo]

Prime 78-82 larry holmes vs roy jones 2003= larry by murder

but jones might well beat holmes 85´, spinks could so jones might too

[cuchulain]

In no way, shape or form should Jones ever be considered as good a technician as Holmes.

True.

But he was better conditioned and much faster than Larry.

There's little chance here that Larry can outbox him.

I would pick Prime Larry over prime Roy, but a 36 year old Larry ?

Even. Pick'em.

[cuchulain]

If Roy Jones had fought Lennox Lewis in 2003 instead of John Ruiz then we'd have something solid to gauge this question off.

Not so sure, there.

2003 Lewis was at the tail end of his prime, and the 2003 version, IMO would have beaten any version of Roy.

Or Larry.

[Foreman Hook]

If skinny-ass Spinks can do it, Jones can do it BETTER!!

Jones WIDE decision..

[lefthook31]

Jones never fought anyone that boxed like Holmes. Now at heavyweight, its too tough to call. I dont see Larry knocking out Jones, but not sure how Roy deals with Holmes type of style. Decision for sure, not sure how it plays out.

[combatesdeboxeo]

If Spinks can do it, Jones can do it BETTER!!

Jones WIDE decision..

i agree, against 1985 holmes. but 1978-82 larry holmes would destroy jones

[zadfrak]

Jones and his dangling left hand at his waist defense against a jabber? I don't see Jones being effective at all and even if he lands it won't do anything.

It'd be interesting to see how Jones reacts to some thumbs. I think he retreats even moreso but what he doesn't do is go ballistic and try to get some payback. I really don't think Jones wins more than maybe 2 rounds at best and loses a lopsided decision in a dreary affair. I think Holmes beats Ruiz as well and he's right there for Larry's jab and right hand and doesn't have the offensive arsenal to bother Holmes either.

Facing Ruiz was pretty much the ideal opponent for Jones. Even failing a drug test Toney had an easy time with the guy as well. So would've Mike Spinks.