Best HW of the 80s - Tyson or Holmes?

[Rocker]

Who do you got?

[Slimey Limey]

Larry Holmes is one of the more overrated heavyweights. Tyson is mostly ranked in the lower spots of the top 10 where he belongs. But the poor man's version of Ali is actually put at #3 at times.

[JAB5239]

Larry Holmes is one of the more overrated heavyweights. Tyson is mostly ranked in the lower spots of the top 10 where he belongs. But the poor man's version of Ali is actually put at #3 at times.

Holmes is a top 5 heavyweight. 7 years on top and 20 consecutive defenses says a lot. Who would you rank ahead of him?

[Sugarj]

Wow, very close......almost too difficult to split!!

If we are just talking the 80s Holmes dominated 1980-1985, whereas Tyson dominated 1986-1990.

I'd argue that Holmes was the better boxer, but Tyson was the more exciting and possibly better for the sport at that time.

Prime for prime I'd fancy Holmes to beat Tyson by a fairly close decision. But Tyson's brutal KO of past prime Holmes in 88 (the only time Holmes was ever stopped!!) just tips it Mike's way for me.

Holmes true prime would be circa 78-79.

[BritishBoxing92]

hard for me to guess :/...tyson or holmes??? hmmm...well tyson Did beat holmes and Did win the HW belts at 20 Years but holmes did beat Ali and also had 20 title defenses....hmm....

[Slimey Limey]

Holmes is a top 5 heavyweight. 7 years on top and 20 consecutive defenses says a lot. Who would you rank ahead of him?

Too many gift decisions and sub par opposition. I believe you already saw my swell top 10 in the sticky thread.

[JAB5239]

Too many gift decisions and sub par opposition. I believe you already saw my swell top 10 in the sticky thread.

One gift decision, Witherspoon. And its funny you would call his opposition sub par and have Marciano ranked 2nd, Dempsey 4th and Tunney 10th.

[sonnyboyx2]

One gift decision, Witherspoon. And its funny you would call his opposition sub par and have Marciano ranked 2nd, Dempsey 4th and Tunney 10th.

Holmes vs Carl Williams was a very dubious decision

[JAB5239]

Holmes vs Carl Williams was a very dubious decision

No, I've watched this fight dozens of times. A close fight, yes. Williams could have secure a draw or even a win, but he gave up to many of the later rounds including the 12th. Nothing dubious there my man.

[them_apples]

Tyson ***ed him up to bad for Holmes to win this poll. On the ATG list though, Holmes edges him out.