Holmes vs Ali, primes

It's not the craziest prediction at all. I could well imagine Holmes winning. Solid, fundamental, classic "boxers" like Holmes tend to match up well against faster, flashier fighters.

 

That Liston guy could box a bit, though. Heard he had a pretty good jab.

I think Holmes' style plays to Ali's strengths, personally. Ali had trouble with swarming, crowding fighters like Frazier & Norton. Holmes gives him the luxury of thinking and attacking at will, and that tends to work out well for the faster fighter.

 

I wouldn't pick Holmes per se but I can see scenarios where he wins - he's a style problem for Ali, definitely. In fact, I'd pick him to win two or three (at least) fights out of ten if they fought that many.

MTF

 

Ali via footwork, fluidity & intangibles.