Larry Holmes The Most Underrated Heavyweight Ever?

[0Rooster4Life0]

[Roger Yomama]

He is somewhat underrated I think. A lot of people associate Holmes with the Tyson fight so the image is of an overweight man flat out on his back. Personally, I think he is the best heavyweight I have seen.

[BKM-]

He never regained the title, although he came close against Holyfield after beating a prime Mercer with ease. That is holding him back. Mind you this was all after the Tyson loss which was supposed to be his 'end'.

[-CANE-]

Very underated fighter. A few more heavyweights I think are underated are Lennox Lewis, Tim Witherspoon and Gene Tunney.

Tunney never stayed in the heavyweight division long enough to be considered an ATG by he was such an underated fighter.

Witherspoon never really fulfilled his potential but a young inshape Tim gave Holmes a great fight.

Lewis hopefully will remembered in higher regard years down the line. He gets unfairly criticized for his two ko losses, but he avenged them and beat everyone he fought.

[The Jackal]

Yes Holmes Great

Holmes had 1 of the best jabs in the business if not the best most would say he had the greatest jab in boxing history i wouldn't argue with that but good to see Gene Tunney & others get mentioned great boxers especially Tunney

[gridiron]

The story behind Larry's jab, he once crashed his right hand and could only use his left hand in training for several months. It developed into an awesome weapon.

Larry 1978-82 could very well be the best of them all.

[gridiron]

From an earlier thread about Earnie Shavers:

Steve Farhood, a livin' legend among boxing reporters, writes in the June issue of Boxing Monthly:

Argue if you choose, but for one shot, Shavers was the hardest puncher in history, and 29 years later, the knockdown punch (against Holmes) remains the most brutal I've ever witnessed from ringside.

Holmes got on his feet and won.

[Reggie Miller]

he is indeed ONE of the most underrated heavyweights ever, too bad he never got the credit he deserved from the beating of ali.

he is still one of the best and SMARTEST heavyweights of all times.

[Mersey]

I rate Larry number 2 or 3 in my ATG Heavyweights.

[Steak]

He never regained the title, although he came close against Holyfield after beating a prime Mercer with ease. That is holding him back. Mind you this was all after the Tyson loss which was supposed to be his 'end'.

well the thing is he actually should have been a two time world champ. its widely considered tht the 2nd Spinks fight was a robbery.

I have him in my top 5. probebly number 3 actually, just behind Ali and Louis. other than him having an outstanding jab, he was pretty well rounded with his punches. very effective uppercuts, pretty good right hand, even could hook decently. he didnt quite of the speed, countering ability or ring smarts of Ali, but he was solid, and his chin was fantastic.

truth be told, there were certain styles that gave him fits. I know Tim Witherspoon gave him one hell of a fight, and while Wtherspoon was actually pretty good, you have to admit that he shouldnt quite be on the level of a Larry Holmes. maybe he was unmotivated some nights, I dont know. but when Larry was focused and understood his opponent, he was pretty amazing.