Larry Holmes vs. George Foreman

[KOTF]

No poll, too many "versions" they could be matched-up in.

Who wins in '77?

'92?

'95?

'97?

Prime for prime?

[Boxed Ears]

I don't see Foreman getting Holmes in any of those years, unfortunately. Just a bad match-up for George. Almost impossible for even him to score a knockout, so he'd have to outbox him. Nope. Maybe the Foreman of the Frazier or Norton fight would've gotten the drop on Holmes but Holmes has as much ability to take a shot as Ali when he takes them and he wouldn't bother getting close. Distance control, ATG jab. Holmes all day long. That's why George never wanted it.

[Xplosive]

Prime for prime I'd pick Holmes to take Foreman apart and stop him late, though George definitely would have a puncher's chance.

[Bummy Davis]

Both have the styles to beat one another. Foreman had the big right hand and Larry had the movement. I dont think Holmes was an Ali but Foreman also was more ponderous than Tyson.In The younger versions of both men, Holmes had the better stamina but Foreman had the power. This is a tough call.

[Hydraulix]

If Foreman were smart, he'd hit Holmes with a right hand everytime he dropped his left after jabbing. It would be like the first Schmeling/Louis fight. One of Larry's big flaws was dropping his left after the jab. Larry can take a punch, but if Foreman were to use the strategy I listed above, he'd eventually knock him out later in the fight. You can only take so many right hands from George Foreman. That's the only way I can see George winning this. But Would George use this strategy? I doubt it.

Then again, Larry's sharp jabbing and lateral movement would likely get him a decision victory, no matter what age the two gentlemen were. If forced to pick, my vote would go to Larry. It's a shame the fight never happened. Larry Holmes NEEDS a victory over George Foreman to help cement his legacy. Foreman, on the other hand, doesn't need a victory over Larry.

[ironchamp]

If Foreman were smart, he'd hit Holmes with a right hand everytime he dropped his left after jabbing. It would be like the first Schmeling/Louis fight. One of Larry's big flaws was dropping his left after the jab. Larry can take a punch, but if Foreman were to use the strategy I listed above, he'd eventually knock him out later in the fight. You can only take so many right hands from George Foreman. That's the only way I can see George winning this. But Would George use this strategy? I doubt it.

Then again, Larry's sharp jabbing and lateral movement would likely get him a decision victory, no matter what age the two gentlemen were. If forced to pick, my vote would go to Larry. It's a shame the fight never happened. Larry Holmes NEEDS a victory over George Foreman to help cement his legacy. Foreman, on the other hand, doesn't need a victory over Larry.

I personally think Larry Holmes is a greater fighter than George Foreman in the H2H ability and in terms of legacy. So I don't think a Holmes victory would cement the legacy of an already great champion.

But for the OP, Holmes wins in 77, 92, 95 and 97.

[PetethePrince]

Holmes wins 77. The rest is Foreman's win.

[Stevie G]

Prime for prime,I'd say Holmes. Although,one big right hand from Foreman could change that. In latter years,I'd give the edge to Foreman. Larry's mobility would n't be such a problem.

[Hookie]

No poll, too many "versions" they could be matched-up in.

Who wins in '77?

'92?

'95?

'97?

Prime for prime?


Holmes in all but none of the fights are easy. Foreman has his best chances in '77 and '92.

[MRBILL]

If Foreman were smart, he'd hit Holmes with a right hand everytime he dropped his left after jabbing. It would be like the first Schmeling/Louis fight. One of Larry's big flaws was dropping his left after the jab. Larry can take a punch, but if Foreman were to use the strategy I listed above, he'd eventually knock him out later in the fight. You can only take so many right hands from George Foreman. That's the only way I can see George winning this. But Would George use this strategy? I doubt it.

Then again, Larry's sharp jabbing and lateral movement would likely get him a decision victory, no matter what age the two gentlemen were. If forced to pick, my vote would go to Larry. It's a shame the fight never happened. Larry Holmes NEEDS a victory over George Foreman to help cement his legacy. Foreman, on the other hand, doesn't need a victory over Larry.

Foreman was too slow and not accurate enough to counter Holmes' left jab........... Plus, the young Foreman was nowhere skilled enough to be a counter-puncher.......... Holmes of '77 BUTCHERS Foreman at that time / year.........

Holmes had the skills to beat Foreman pretty overall at any time....... As long as he was in good shape........ Foreman would also need to be in-shape in order to take a licking like he would against "The Homer."

MR.BILL:deal

[Jersey Joe]

Holmes has an all-time great chin, and could be pretty elusive when he got on his toes and started dancing Ali-style, so no easy KO for George. Holmes clearly is the better boxer. And George gasses after 5-6 rounds in all his fights. Larry happens to have arguably the best ever jab at heavyweight and would inflict damage and score points consistently with it for 15 rounds. Awful matchup for Foreman, he loses every time IMO.

[anarci]

Holmes would be all wrong for Big George. He beats him any version

Prime Larry schools Prime George
OLd Larry outboxes Big George by comfortable decision

George never wanted this fight when they were older he knew he wouldnt beat Holmes despite what would have been a big payday.

[JudgeDredd]

Holmes all the way, was technically superior & had a great chin & recuperative powers.

[Mendoza]

No poll, too many "versions" they could be matched-up in.

Who wins in '77?

'92?

'95?

'97?

Prime for prime?


Holmes TKO in 1977, and UD in 1992., 1995, and 1997. The fight almost happened in 1999, but Foreman pulled out.

Holmes is still ready to go if Foreman will sign. In fact knowing Larry, he might be willing to fight George Foreman jr, who is a professional heavyweight.

[Boxed Ears]

Holmes TKO in 1977, and UD in 1992., 1995, and 1997. The fight almost happened in 1999, but Foreman pulled out.

Holmes is still ready to go if Foreman will sign. In fact knowing Larry, he might be willing to fight George Foreman jr, who is a professional heavyweight.

Holmes would fight Foreman right now as soon as Hearns would rematch Leonard right now. Fast.

[Duodenum]

Foreman avoided both Holmes and Jerry Quarry (admittedly and openly in Jerry's case), like the plague, just as Tyson dodged George blatantly.

Tyson was peaking and had tremendous speed to use on a rusty and misfiring Holmes. Shavers had an 80 inch reach and underrated hand speed, but just one singular moment of success in a knockdown round which Larry could justifiably have lost only by a score of 10-9.

George's big right hand was relatively slow, telegraphed, looping, and it wasn't as hard as Earnie's. He seldom landed it solidly on an Ali stationary against the ropes, and would have had a miserable time trying to connect it on a prepared Holmes. If old Foreman followed treacherous, sneaky, drunken old fart Holmes into the corners the way Mercer did, Larry would have had a picnic. George's talent for cutting off the ring wouldn't help him much with that left fist glued on his face.

Neither one of these two is any kind of choir boy. But would Foreman's kidney shots and shoving really be a match for Larry's thumb to the eye?

If George did manage to hurt him, he wasn't exactly the greatest finisher around. He was missing an awful lot while Chuvalo appeared to be riding out the storm, and he really shot his bolt wildly after stunning Young early in the key round of their match. Tyson had some trouble putting Holmes away. Foreman would never have been able to complete the job.

[he grant]

Styles mak fights ... the 74 Foreman destroys any forward punching slugger in the Dempsey/Marciano/Frazier/Tyson mold but boxers are a different story ... Georg got taken to school by both a 32 year old Ali and Jimmy Young ... a prime Holmes defeats him.

[clark]

Frankly, I see Foreman winning them all.

[Osceola]

Holmes by murder.

any version of holmes beats any version of foreman.

[MAG1965]

Holmes is the greater heavyweight, but George's power makes it interesting. I think Larry would be hurt a little but come on and stop George or win a decision. Larry was a greater fighter, but he did not fight the opposition George did that is for sure. At least not when the guys were near prime like Ali and Norton.

[ricardoparker93]

I think Holmes is a bad style match up for George and either stops him late or picks up a wide decision in their primes. However I would favour Big George in 92 and 97, I mean come on Larry Holmes was struggling with Butterbean at that point :L

[Bill1234]

I think Holmes is a bad style match up for George and either stops him late or picks up a wide decision in their primes. However I would favour Big George in 92 and 97, I mean come on Larry Holmes was struggling with Butterbean at that point :L

:huh Larry didn't struggle at all with Butterbean when they fought in 2002.

[Fighting Weight]

Holmes TKO in 1977, and UD in 1992., 1995, and 1997. The fight almost happened in 1999, but Foreman pulled out.

Holmes is still ready to go if Foreman will sign. In fact knowing Larry, he might be willing to fight George Foreman jr, who is a professional heavyweight.

Interesting that you pick Holmes in 1992, 95 and 97 after you previously claimed he had nothing left when he fought Tyson in 88 :huh Ah yes, that was a nonsense statement to suit your agenda again wasn't it...yet you pick Holmes to beat the HW Champion of the world many years later :rofl

Personally I wouldn't even try to pick a winner in this fight, Foreman could be out-boxed for sure, but Holmes could also be hurt. Best leave it alone is my instinct, they're both top 5 ATG heavies and which one is above the other is subject to nothing but opinion.