Larry Holmes v Lennox Lewis who wins?

Question

both in their prime

Answer 1

Holmes

Answer 2

Ive wondered about this fight for a long time. My conclusion after reviewing lots of tape on both fighters is that Holmes Jab and foot work mixed with his speed would carry him to a decision win, while his chin would keep him in the fight when getting tagged with Lewis's devastating overhand right.

Lewis might even tire easily chasing Holmes around the ring and Holmes had enough power to KO a tired Lewis. Holmes ring generalship was just way better.

Holmes would keep Lewis off balance all night circling to his left so as not to get hit by Lennox's right hand. Lennox would tire quicker after missing some big right hands and the cat and mouse game would end after the 8th round and Holmes would turn up the heat and possibly Ko Lewis or make him retire in his corner.

Answer 3

Larry has to get up from the floor to win this one by decision like he did against Earnie Shavers. The superior jab is the determine factor here.

Answer 4

Good question sir.  Larry Holmes in my opinion was a superior all round fighter with more speed and a better jab than Lewis who no doubt had excellent skills himself.  Both fighters are probably about equal in the power department.  I believe this would be a contest of jabs and not too many people can beat Holmes in this kind of match.  Lewis would land his share, but Holmes would land more.  This would be a relatively close fight early on but Holmes would have the better endurance later in the fight and really pour it on.  Holmes by unanimous decision.

Answer 5

this would be a very boring fight and it would end in a decision for Holmes.

Answer 6

I concur, Holmes by decision.

Answer 7

i will pick holmes by unanimous decision as well.

Answer 8

Larry Holmes has one clear advantage.  Larry ain't scared o NOBODY.  Many of the fighters during his era were afraid of Lewis with good reason.  He's a nice guy but he can do some nasty things to you in the ring.  I am amazed at how little credit people give Lewis.  Not many would beat him at his best.  

Holmes is the perfect size for a heavyweight.  He can track down and beat up the small runners and he can stand up to and chop down the giants.  I have always said that, while Ali would out point him, Holmes could beat everyone Ali could beat but more decisively.  The exception is Joe Louis.  Ali beats him, Larry doesn't.

Larry would make a very bold move and hurt Lennox early, something most were afraid to try.  Lennox has a very good jab but Larry has him in this department.  Lennox isn't very hard to hit if you're not afraid to try.  Larry steps in with the jab and lands a hard right to the side of the head in round 3.  Lennox wobbles and Larry lands a series of combinations.  Lennox wisely clinches.  

Lewis is fighting cautiously and holding his own with the jab.  However, this allows Holmes to build a lead by round six.  By keeping a distance and using better timing with the jab, Holmes have caused Lewis to expand a lot of early energy.  Lewis gives Holmes a bit of a scare in round six.  He hurts Holmes with a right to the head.  The problem is that, at this point, Lewis is having trouble landing more than one punch.  

In round 9 Larry is able to snap Lennox' head with jabs where before they were just scoring, they are now causing a fair bit of damage.  Lennox is still using his jab as well which prevents Larry from doing more damage.   The difference is that Larry is able to sneak in the occasional right but he can avoid Lennox' right.  

In round 12 a hard right to the chin shakes Lewis.  Holmes moves in to finish him.  Lewis is able to fire back and ward Holmes off.  There have been no knock downs but the two big rounds were won by Holmes.  This makes the difference in a 12 round fight where Holmes would win on points.  

However, none of my fights are 12 rounds.  They are 15.  By round 13 Lewis has been worn down and is very tired.  His hands are low.  Larry lands a series of rights to the head.  Lennox backs to the ropes and attempts an uppercut, his best punch but has been neutrialized by Holmes.  

A booming right to the chin backs Lennox into a corner.   Holmes is now landing at will when the referee steps in.

Holmes by TKO in 13