Ali was much quicker than Larry prime vs prime. Ali had that great lateral movement that would allow him to pepper Holmes with jabs and combinations at angles beating Larry constantly to the punch. It would go 15 with Ali winning a lopsided decision say 10-5 in rounds.
Holme jab would give a lot of trouble to ali, but i don't think the rest of his game is good enough to beat him
Prime Ali had the best jab. It was faster, more precise and Ali had that superb side to side movement allowing him to land at angles. Prime Ali was never troubled by jabs. He shut down the jabs of Liston, Patterson and Terrell via his own speed, slipping and a better jab.
Ali jab wasnt as long and snappy as holmes jab, and while its true that he wasnt troubled by jabs in his prime, its pretty irrelevant since he never faced a jab as good as holmes one (no, not even liston)
I go back and forth with this pick. Holmes is up there with Lewis and Tyson as the ones with best chance to beat Ali
Holmes was Ali’s sparring partner. He was considered an Ali “wannabe” similar to Johnny Boudroux, Greg Page and Tillis. Holmes of course became a great fighter but he was never at Ali’s level as a talent. Ali’s jab was superior aside from power but Ali would cut opponents to ribbons with it. Holmes was always open for right hands Ali’s best power punch. Holmes has a poor left hook which was Ali’s nemesis. Thus his offense is limits vs prime Ali.
I think Ali wins a decision. Would be a tough fight but I think he would land a lot of straight rights, which would be the key punch.
