Larry Holmes was the only man to ever take the championship from Ali and keep it, defending his title an incredible 19 times. The Easton assassin cried after his over Ali victory, upset at having to hurt his hero, who was at that point deep into his physical decline. In part because he’d beaten Ali and in part because he wasn’t Ali, Holmes was never really given a fair shake by the public or the press. Which is a shame, as he’s one of the most skilled heavyweights in history with one of the most unique, interesting, and powerful styles ever seen in the ring.
Ironically, Holmes fought much like Ali, with a bit of Foreman thrown in. Holmes had head movement and footwork reminiscent of Ali and guard manipulation tactics reminiscent of Foreman. And while Holmes similarities to Foreman are almost certainly coincidental, Holmes similarities to Ali are most certainly from his long time spent as his former sparring partner.
At the same time, Holmes was very much his own fighter, creating fascinating new tactics out of the old that better fit his own proclivities. In this way, he kept to the principle; Keep what is useful, discard what is useless, and create what is essentially your own.
Aggressive Defense: http://www.modernmartialartist.com/downloads/head-movement-blocks-counters/
Footwork Wins Fights: http://www.modernmartialartist.com/downloads/footwork-wins-fights/
Principles of Power: http://www.modernmartialartist.com/downloads/power-of-the-pros/
Mortal Weapons The Fight Comic: https://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Weapons-David-Christian-ebook/dp/B07T4X4W1K/
21 Comments
Aggressive Defense: http://www.modernmartialartist.com/dowloads/head-movement-blocks-counters/
Footwork Wins Fights: http://www.modernmartialartist.com/downloads/footwork-wins-fights/
Principles of Power: https://www.modernmartialartist.com/downloads/power-of-the-pros/
Mortal Weapons the Fight Comic: https://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Weapons-David-Christian-ebook/dp/B07T4X4W1K/
I enjoy your boxing videos! You do a very good job!
Under appreciated fighter like Liston
Larry Holmes had an early trainer named Ernie Butler in Easton, PA that taught him to use his gloves, arms, and shoulders like Harold Johnson, former light-heavyweight champion from Philadelphia, PA in the early 60s. He really didn't pick up that from George Foreman.
The Jab👈
Holmes' Jab was a jackhammer.
Greatest jab in boxing history
This right here, is why a Prime Larry Holmes would never have lost to a prime Mike Tyson. The guy had gone down against Earnie Shavers (said by many other fighters to be the hardest punching Heavyweight ever), but still got up to be stop him in the later rounds. Ali should never have fought him. He was way past his best by then, and it was fight Holmes never wanted. It angers me when people say Tyson got revenge for Ali. Holmes cried after beating his idol. Ali should have listened in the first place and not took the fight. Mid-Late 70s Holmes would have beaten a prime Mike Tyson no problem.
I thought he defended it 20x. Legend anyway, only real boxing fans appreciate him. The Ken Norton and Ray Mercer fights made me a fan.
Holmes was very talented, and he fought some of the best. You could write up an entire class worth of multiple semesters just breaking down all the mind games and optimal energy for that kind of fighting.. A legacy for sure worth looking into
The bridge champion between Ali's departure and Tyson's arrival. He didn't have the charismatic charm of Ali, or the undeniable captivation of Tyson, but put the the best version of Larry Holmes in the ring with the best versions of Ali or Tyson, and he would have a fair chance to beat either one of them.
While other great fighters unfortunately fell off he dominated the early 80s.
He was one of the most skilled fighters. Jimmy young, Ali and Young were the best outside fighters of the 70s. Ali got sick sadly and Jimmy fell off. Larry didnt, plus he had more power
He was one of the most dominant fighters of the era. He had a mix of Ali style , jimmy youngs and Foreman. Take a bit off Alis speed and add a bit more power. You get Holmes
He could knock you out with his jab
wait, wasnt he doing some kind of flicker jab just like the hitman?
Holmes never fought anyone in their prime besides maybe Earnie Shavers. A boxing style is not everything. In boxing heart and adjusting to your opponents allows fighters to overcome odds in a fight. If you can adjust to a fighters style you can beat them regardless if he has a "superior" style.
Apart being a grat boxer,he'd stop every time he saw opponents in troubles
A lot of people in comments saying Holmes is the most underrated heavyweight champion of all time. Actually, Holmes is arguably THE BEST HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF ALL TIMES.
As a long time Holmes fan I found this very interesting and well done.
3:18 I need to practice this more. Feels so odd to move like that in a closed stance. Got to work on those dance moves 🕺
Unknown ? 😂😂😂😂😂
"The Easton Assassin" Larry Holmes os one of the absolute most boxing skilled heavyweight world champions of all times, and yest he is only credited by many for having an excellent jab (?). Yes, beside that Larry Holmes had a sharp jab that in his prime years was working like a hard hitting piston and impossible to avoid/dodge with-out getting hit and/or followed up hit, but more so was how Holmes could use his punches and body movement so fluid and natural to avoid punches and abrupt opponent's moveset and rythm with-out ever losing his own beat.
How fast and crisp his punches was when connecting or how Holmes could combine his mentor Mohammad Ali's school with era rival George Foreman's boxing-wrestling hybrid toolset. How Holmes used solid footwork to manouver all moveset in the ring but never over do it = waste energy. Holmes usage of long guard to further take out his opponent's stability or momentum to find there aim for punch-combinations. Or my favourite how he ysed his jab and long-guard as a hybrid usage to place his left beside opponent's left side of head and then fire off a straight right hand punch for a real snap. All that requires excellent control, timing and skill to pull off that naturaly.
And in worse case scenario to handle damage, Holmes could not only absord solid punches well but could ride with them so good to take-off some of its impact force.
this your best analysis ive seen shows how great he was
Clay and Tyson are overrated. They needed to plot against Larry. If the age difference was reversed, Holmes would annihilate Tyson. And Clay never lost like a man, showing fairplay. He ran like a crybaby in school to the bully Tyson "Get him from me". And this muslim-convert army deserter is praised?! Yuck!