Larry Holmes Is The Goat Heavyweight

[MikeyMike100]

Never lost until he was 35

Beat Ken Norton (Who Should Have beaten Ali twice for the title)

20 Title Defenses

Beat future champions Mike Weaver, Tim Witherspoon, James "Bonecrusher" Smith, and Trevor Berbick

Beat top contenders like Gerry Cooney and Earnie Shavers

Came back years later and beat undefeated Olympic Gold Medalist Ray Mercer who was the WBO champion, at age 42

Almost beat Oliver McCall, losing a close decision at age 45 vs the man who had just knocked out undefeated Lennox Lewis.

No one has had such longevity along with never losing until he was much older.

[Alan Smithee]

Never lost until he was 35

Beat Ken Norton (Who Should Have beaten Ali twice for the title)

20 Title Defenses

Beat future champions Mike Weaver, Tim Witherspoon, James "Bonecrusher" Smith, and Trevor Berbick

Beat top contenders like Gerry Cooney and Earnie Shavers

Came back years later and beat undefeated Olympic Gold Medalist Ray Mercer who was the WBO champion, at age 42

Almost beat Oliver McCall, losing a close decision at age 45 vs the man who had just knocked out undefeated Lennox Lewis.

No one has had such longevity along with never losing until he was much older.

Holmes had a great jab, powerful right hand and tremendous recuperative powers but is he the best of all time? Definitely top 10!

[The Old LefHook]

Sunken chest Larry? The jab that knocked Ocassio down may have been the hardest ever thrown.

[MikeyMike100]

Holmes had a great jab, powerful right hand and tremendous recuperative powers but is he the best of all time? Definitely top 10!

Yes he is! When I say best I mean in resume and accomplishments, not head to head hypotheticals

[MikeyMike100]

When I say greatest I'm referring to resume and career accomplishments. Not imaginary fights.

[Alan Smithee]

When I say greatest I'm referring to resume and career accomplishments. Not imaginary fights.

Holmes did receive a few gifts IMHO. Witherspoon and Williams. Carl was a local guy who I met and seemed like a good dude. We were psyched that he was getting a shot at Holmes and I certainly thought that he pulled out the win. In those days you really had to "beat" the champ to get the nod. I always rooted against Holmes and he usually dissapointed me but he was a great fighter!

[TonyGe]

Nothing but respect for that guy. Is he the best?? Don't know don't care. Just enjoyed watching him fight

[RespekonMyName]

Prime Holmes against any top heavyweight in history is a 50/50 fight. I'd say that's pretty good.

[QueensburyRules]

Never lost until he was 35

Beat Ken Norton (Who Should Have beaten Ali twice for the title)

20 Title Defenses

Beat future champions Mike Weaver, Tim Witherspoon, James "Bonecrusher" Smith, and Trevor Berbick

Beat top contenders like Gerry Cooney and Earnie Shavers

Came back years later and beat undefeated Olympic Gold Medalist Ray Mercer who was the WBO champion, at age 42

Almost beat Oliver McCall, losing a close decision at age 45 vs the man who had just knocked out undefeated Lennox Lewis.

No one has had such longevity along with never losing until he was much older.

- -No heavy has a title record setting 0-6, 0 KOs vs standing champs having won their tiles in the ring like Holmesy.

Good comic value too watching him go off the rails at his IBHOF induction wher he managed to get tossed the day before.

Gracias!

[HOUDINI563]

“Beat Ken Norton (Who Should Have beaten Ali twice for the title)”

Norton beat Ali once when Ali was in the worst shape he ever came into a bout. Ali won both rematches. Only the final bout was for the title.

“20 Title Defenses”

True but he never attempted to beat the other title claimants during his reign.

“Beat future champions Mike Weaver, Tim Witherspoon, James "Bonecrusher" Smith, and Trevor Berbick”

None of these fighters were ever heavyweight champion of the world.

“Beat top contenders like Gerry Cooney and Earnie Shavers.”

Cooney was a carefully managed heavyweight. Only Fed fighters who had no chance to beat him or on the verge of retirement. Shavers was always easy to outbox.