LARRY HOLMES 2016 INTERVIEW ON MIKE TYSON, TOP 5 HEAVYWEIGHTS EVER, BEST CHIN, TOUGHEST FIGHT & MORE

BoxHard Podcast host, Joey Coast-Man talks to one of the sport's biggest legends, Larry Holmes. In this one-off rare interview, Larry reflects on his pro career, defeating Muhammad Ali, how to master the jab, who had the best chin of all his opponents, who's in his top 5 best heavyweights list of all time and much more.

[@franciscomastrogianni8286]

Larry Holmes was a helluva of a champion one of the best ever .

[@goldwolf0606]

He was a champion but not one of the best ever. Ken Norton was a champ too and also not one of the best ever. One of the best you got to reign with authority, you got to destroy folks like big George did, or scare them before they even entered the ring like Ali, or go undefeated like Rocky, or reign for 10+ years like joe louis, Ali, and klitschko. Array is a champ and no one can take that away from him. But he ain’t top 5. He might even make top 10.

[@John-pc2yr]

@Exar I'm not a huge Holmes fan but he deserves more credit...he gets shaded by ali

[@williehudson4013]

Larry Holmes so underrated

[@Ditka-89]

Never understood why more heavyweights never learn to master the jab as much as Holmes. If you’ve got a long reach, it should be your go to punch. I feel like Wilder could have been so much better if he was able to effectively use a Jab

[@ryanscarrmusic2329]

or box for that matter

[@clevelandwilliams5922]

The Jab is a strategy to build upon combinations & eventually beating the opponent

[@DeeTeaDee]

Well yeah but wilder isn’t just lacking a jab, he lacks the footwork and basic boxing fundamentals

[@MrAdammargerison]

Lennox Lewis became a much better fighter when Stewart taught him how to box behind the jab, he had the power and the movement but lacked the jab, I personally put Larry a few places behind Lennox in the all time greats though, but. a great fighter

[@Outdoorsy368]

Once I matured I watched and realized just how awesome Larry was. Classy man. The media was always needling him and of course he handled it like the class act that he was

[@kevintrace5396]

Imagine Larry around today he would clean the whole lot up no doubt indisputed

[@NelsonMontana1234]

Maybe the best all-around heavyweight ever. He could jab, slug, move, had stamina, had power, could take a punch and had a ton of heart.

[@goldwolf0606]

You must be 🍺🤤 😵

[@truebeliever786]

And on top of that, he had longevity. Dyde could fight amazingly well, even in his 40s (beat Ray Mercer at that age).

[@jameysummers1577]

Larry Holmes is a class act. A living legend. God bless you Larry!

[@danielsemmens6640]

Tyson was a phenomenon and he won’t be repeated other contemporary boxers are loathe to admit it

[@grantnumrich9719]

Larry Holmes is one of the best! He is so unique in his skills! he was methodical and a true winner!

[@truthhitman7473]

No way would 13 stone Marciano beat a prime Mike Tyson lol

[@life107familyfitnessboxing8]

Randal Tex Cob had one of the toughest chins in boxing. The man was tough as nails

[@johndoe-cb5ck]

I miss larry Holmes fights

[@Mintcar923]

If Ali’s Jab was a rapier & Louis’ was a cutlass Holmes’ was a longsword a perfect hybrid

[@informalfallacies]

Excellent audio

[@armandhammer3782]

Oh Larry, OUCH !! Tyson DESTROYED you only two years after you were a 48-0 champion.

[@genestringini8215]

He only had 6 weeks to train after a 2 year layoff though.

[@armandhammer3782]

@@genestringini8215 That's what he says. Hmmmm.......don't think that would have made any difference.

[@ringmasterjeb3453]

Was the Main sparring partner for Ali when he was 18 ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,LEGEND,,,Best jab in Boxing in my opinion.

[@arturosuarez-silverio5983]

He was a good guy.

[@busterc6600]

Boxing died with tyson

[@monkeyb1820]

I don't think it was that so much as growth in MMA.

[@anz2441]

Never gives Tyson his just due ever..prime Tyson gives Ali hell. KOs Norton and Frazier. Foreman would be a war, but I pick tyson. Ali and prime Holmes gives Tyson trouble tho. Tough picks. Prime Tyson was unreal !!

[@charliecroft7012]

Larry you really didn't know Rocky, if only he could have been here to face you with comment, it would have been a knock out, 😉😜😴🤣

[@karlcooper7016]

I think Tyson kills Marciano.

[@goldwolf0606]

1) Muhammad Ali 2) Joe Louis 3) Rocky Marciano 4) George Foreman 5) Vladimir Klitschko

[@keungkau9215]

Larry Holmes is a class act would love to meet him one day!

[@sugs1191]

He's boring

[@keungkau9215]

@@sugs1191 Have you met him in person then?

[@sugs1191]

@@keungkau9215 no but his interviews are boring....

[@ducedevlstear2471]

Larry is salty and bitter talking about rivals. Boring.

[@vlLEGTxSQUADX]

Tyson was the only person to ko larry holmes he still bitter about his ko loss to tyson

[@denissssss8579]

lol

[@RabidGerry]

He probably is bitter yes, because he knows he was so much better than Tyson. Had he been an active fighter and properly prepared (Don King stiffed him on how long he had to prepare) he would have beaten Tyson. I also wonder had his hand not got caught in the ropes and that uppercut he was about to throw landed would the fight have A) ended in KO for Larry or B) went the distance instead. But that's boxing for you.

[@billybarr7443]

Larry was a old man you idiot of a man in there prime tyson wouldn't have a chance lad so stop telling lies lad

[@magnuslundberg9675]

@@RabidGerryA prime Holmes would without question have done a lot better against Tyson, a win would be another matter entirely. A some years younger Holmes struggled against at least 3 opponents that Tyson simply blew away. Berbick as a novice gave Holmes serious problems and a good run for his money. Carl Williams fought quite like Holmes, and lost a controversial decision to him. And of course Michael Spinks beat him. Tyson annihilated all 3 as easily as he did Holmes. They weren't even remotely competitive, that has to mean something.

[@johntaylor9825]

Tyson would ave steam rolled rocky and Frazier and Norton

[@ciarafitch5069]

He don’t wanna give Tyson his props and it’s sad

[@diamonddelagarde225]

What props he told you the truth an really held back he could have said alot an if you love boxing you probably wouldn't like the way Don an Mike did Holmes even mike Tyson don't respect that win he knows it wasn't right he admitted it in many interviews

[@dannyparkinson2289]

Larry has said many times that Tyson beat the heck out of him. And it's true that Holmes didn't get the training time he was promised. And he freely admits that he didn't withdraw because he wanted the millions of dollars he was going to make.

[@PaulGreen11]

*Jack Johnson *Joe Lewis *Muhammad Ali *Larry Holmes *Mike Tyson

[@MsMoneyHunny1]

This is were Holmes went wrong. Every fighter Tyson fought the opponent weight more, were 6'3 or taller and had more reach than him. Holmes wants to use the excuse of Tyson being smaller. If Holmes had as more experience and knew all the tricks , Tyson made him look as thought he was a little scared to fight also he can't compare himself to Ali, because he's not. He makes himself looks and sound salty.

[@lardawg6794]

Holmes dominated the heavyweight division for 7 years. He fought all the top contenders multiple times. I don’t think Tyson could have beat Holmes in his prime. Watch Larry Holmes vs. Ken Norton to see Holmes in his prime.

[@SPIDERM0OSE]

@@lardawg6794 Holmes was a great fighter but Tyson was next Generation, same as when Larry beat Ali, Holmes was next Generation then. Everything being equal, Tyson didn't emerge at the end of a legendary era like Holmes n Klitschko did, he emerged from an emerging, rising era. Tyson is comparable to Foreman that way. Prime Holmes was great against fading greats but even so he mighta gave Tyson a lotta trouble coz Holmes had great stamina & like Ali, great powers of recovery, however, theres never been a more dangerous HW than Mike Tyson over the first 8 rounds. Simply put he was murder, & his record tells no lies on that score.

[@diamonddelagarde225]

Larry holmes didn't train for Tyson he didn't go in to it but he only had 2.5 weeks to train because they move the fight up on him he promised 6 months to train because he didn't fight in 2.5 years Don an team Tyson cheated Holmes he tried to pull out of the fight but they threatened to sue him he didn't read the fine print an pay the price boxing could be a dirty game

[@trucker-d4161]

Larry was a shell f himself, when he fought Tyson, not predicting at out come, but Larry’s style and jab would’ve frustrated mike.

[@informalfallacies]

Holmes is to Ali what Kobe was to MJ. Near copies in different eras.

[@ezedikeohamadike9003]

Holmes doesn't like Tyson. Tyson came a long way

[@Scotty70]

Larry could still beat Fury and these other bums getting around today

[@flare3854]

How is fury a bum,id say hes pretty good, AJ is also pretty good everybody else is trash

[@Duplotopf]

@@flare3854 aj is trash too, lost against a older fighter with fewer height and fights

[@gavinjohnson8951]

No he couldn't.

[@Scotty70]

@@gavinjohnson8951 Even easier today than when I made my comment 6 years ago. Furys gone backwards since then !

[@gavinjohnson8951]

@@Scotty70 Holmes in his prime would beat Fury, but I hope you were making an exaggerated point for dramatic effect that an old man would beat Fury now. That would be ridiculous.

[@karlcooper7016]

I thought that his much heralded jab was overrated but he was still a great Champion.

[@stevenfinch7086]

Holmes a very bitter man how he spoke about marciano after the SpinkS fite was a disgrace

[@trucker-d4161]

Really, that was a reaction to what they said about Larry. Do your homework.

[@chloedora874]

Ali had a better chin than Merciless Ray Mercer.. Ali had one of the best chins in boxing history.

[@ducedevlstear2471]

I think same. The amount of damage he received over the years. Nobody ever faced firepower like him. Frazier, Norton, Foreman, Shavers, Holmes and more ... And he still stood still. He was gifted like nobody else in that department.

[@josephdelledonne2098]

I think Marciano is one of the greatest of all time because of dominance of his era, but head to head? No way does he beat Tyson. It's just like when Frazier tried to trade with Foreman. Styles makes fights, Tyson would destroy Frazier like Foreman did because Frazier could only go forward and that is suicide against guys like Tyson and Foreman. Same with Maricano. Yes, the styles are the same but Tyson is bigger, stronger, faster, has faster hands, etc. No way do those guys beat him. Holmes is making excuses for when he fought Tyson. I'm sure he could have done better, but at the same time I think that was a tough style for Holmes. He fought until he was like over 50 years old and looked good against Holyfield and others and was never knocked out again. No disrespect, but what bull!

[@divinedenae9911]

Joseph Delledonne Tyson and Frazier would have been a very interesting fight, over all id say tyson had a slight edge in over all.but Frazier had a will that Tyson couldnt mach.Cus D'Amato away stalk about the will, and how a with thestronger will can out do a guy that has slightly better skills. Tyson best chance would be in the first round andif hecouldnt ko him he' in for along hard fight. Andstand a chace of. Loosing. But it would be a good one who ever one. But ido think Homles is a little bitter about Tyson Ko,ing him, does he have a right to feel that way?..yes. he was not at his best. It would have been a heck of a fight. Just as Ali was way way past his best when he fought Holmes. IN the early 1970swhen Ali was still good, he use to outbox Holmes ive seensparing footage from a guy in Hackensack NJ, don't know how he got it.but he do. and Ali was the better fighter no dought about that when he was good. But Holmes wont tell that part he wants people to focus on the 1980 fight when at a time he was taking 25 different pills for his health but still thought he could. But just as he want to say i beat up Ali, and iam the better man. Tyson should do him the same way.say i could of whipped him in his prime just for thehell of it. And Holmes wasnt taking Parkinson medication

[@diamonddelagarde225]

You are mistaken Holmes told the truth he didn't have time to train funny thing is he put it in a nice way Those people in the know like myself know Holmes was promised 6 months to train an only got 2.5 weeks after being retired for 2.5 years even mike admitted Holmes wasn't in shape for him an didn't have time to train they played a dirty trick on Holmes to give mike a credible win on his resume..

[@matthewstylianou8363]

@@diamonddelagarde225 Homes trained for 5 weeks at least. He was never going to beat Tyson back then. He could've trained for a year and still would have been smashed senseless. Tyson was awesome and he beat Spinks in 90 seconds. What hope did Larry have?

[@diamonddelagarde225]

@@matthewstylianou8363 not a fact Holmes trained for 2.5 weeks he tried to pull out of the fight because they went back on the promise of 6 months remember he was retired for 2.5 years they made him promote the fight then push it up on him so he couldn't train...Don't know why you mentioned spinks though he wlis waaaay different from Holmes...makes no sense sir I could easily say Holyfield koed Tyson but most people thought Larry beat Holyfield...Mike wasn't on Larry Holmes level they knew that that's why they jerked Holmes do your homework sir Mike couldn't beat buster or tillis who the cheated How could he beat the great Larry Holmes 🤔

[@healthnut3165]

Frazier had an advantage in the heart department. Love Tyson but he would always fold under pressure

[@andrewduggan1018]

Holmes go beat by spinks twice tyson destroyed spinks in 90 secs so all of you dissing tyson when he battered Holmes you chat crap

[@baraskparas9559]

Superstar Holmes was a bit off when he fought Tyson, a little age, a little psychology, a little strategy. Ali should never have used " rope a dope" against this superstar.

[@dannykelly8163]

He lost #49 , just got out hustled, but won #50, got robbed!

[@nothingspecial3364]

Come on Larry you are a legend but Tyson not in top 10 or 5 .. He is the only fighter to ever stop Holmes in his whole legendary career .. Don't be silly Larry Tyson is top 3 of all time and marciano would get whooped bad by Mike...Say it as it is

[@mathematics557]

Adz Krila lolz he most likely said that cause he's still bitter about the lost to tyson.

[@Dracbrewer]

Mennnnnn, Do I ever agree with both of you, The truth be told!

[@vlLEGTxSQUADX]

He prolly sad about mike tyson beeing the only person to ko him

[@mattkylie6723]

Adz Krila Someone just said Larry sadly never got the respect he deserves!!! Lol what about the respect he spared a 21 year d Mike Tyson who flattened him!?????? where’s his respect Holmes!!!

[@justiny.1773]

Lol Larry is definitely still bitter about Tyson knocking him out he says that Ken Norton and butterbean hit harder then mike butterbean! Lol come on Holmes we know you were a great but give Tyson credit like Tyson does for everyone else he was the only man to knock you out and chase you like a pit bull at that.

[@williamdelong8265]

Knocked down Ocasio with a left jab.

[@robertmcadam2216]

Resting heart rate 1 hour before Cooney 30 beats per minute.

[@gregmaggio5217]

The early homes moved alot, and had a wonderful snappy jab, although later his conditioning was a factor.

[@freedomisntfree2089]

I love Larry, only problem was back in the day he tried to make his style a copy of Ali . Instead of taking an example and a lesson he tried to copy whole style , rope a dope and all, but lots of guys did

[@diamonddelagarde225]

Not a fact sir his style was similar meaning he was a master boxer but he had some differences to his style just like Ali copied sugar ray Robinson he had some differences as well

[@grattanvaz1614]

Holmes has too much of a superiority complex. Always thinks he is the best and fighters of today are rubbish. Never gives others their due.

[@petertodorov1792]

Not fair to Iron Mike Iron Mike was a giant killer He had the style to beat prime Holmes Holmes wouldn’t have had a clue how to beat a Cus Damato trained Tyson

[@Mintcar923]

I tend to agree being a hardcore Mike fan.. Still to be fair Douglas at his best beat MT basically by aping the Holmes style that one night

[@williamcurry1132]

Larry they robed you for # 49 also # 50 Michael Spinks my opinion I realize

[@robertlopchinsky9827]

That's true he was robbed.

[@reub5954]

Definitely the second fight

[@conanarthur4358]

Ali, Louis, Holmes, Lewis and Marciano is the usual top 5. Mention to Holyfield, Foreman and Frazier.

[@dannyparkinson2289]

And Joe Lewis!

[@APBCTechnique]

*Larry’s top 5* Ali Frazier George Ken norton Holmes

[@jerichobeach2967]

Holmes did fight quite a variety of fighters through the decades his experience and skill showed but I think he got some questionable decisions

[@chet3louisiana558]

I like Holmes but for him to not have Marciano or Joe Lewis in the top 5 shows he took too many blows to the head.

[@rem1762]

I think he had a little brain fog. But of course you have to have Joe Louis, Cassius Clay and Rocky Marciano in the top five. I'd throw in Jack Dempsey and my 5th Sonny Liston. The real unimpeded Sonny Liston.

[@chrisbennett6260]

@@rem1762 no way marciano couldnt put down ted lowery who was naturally an ex middleweight and have double digit losses and marciano never put him away ,he went the distance twice with marciano and was robbed on both occassions

[@eighthhouse]

Larry Holmes is older than a Muhamed Ali; sir-mam;

[@mgtkr1]

larry would have beat mike had he fought him a few years earlier. and also those shots he took off tyson would have put a bull to sleep. he did well to jump up 2 or 3 times before finally been stopped. holmes is a top 5 hw of all time

[@deeonfranklin9455]

Yeah yeah yeah I hardly doubt that

[@trucker-d4161]

@@deeonfranklin9455 you hardly doubt that? Meaning you agree🤷‍♂️

[@urbandelights3098]

Same as If Ali had fought Larry few years earlier then Larry won't stood any chances.

[@rexrogers1859]

@@trucker-d4161 Precisely!!! Lol

[@matthewstylianou8363]

Holmes fought for another decade after being bashed senseless by Tyson. Nobody ever knocked him out like that.

[@susanstamboulian646]

Larry Holmes is a cool guy and one of my favorites ever. But for whatever reason, he's always had it out for Tyson. Tyson is always the guy that gets judged way past his prime. How come Ali is never judged for how horrible he fought the last several years? Great and candid interview, but kind of lost credibility when he said Marciano would've knocked Tyson out, calling him a "little guy". Just because Mike wasn't a 6 footer, doesn't mean he was a little guy. He was always between 218-222 in his prime, and had a MASSIVE neck. Marciano was about 185 lbs. Great fighter yes, but a prime Mike Tyson would have destroyed him. I think Larry's just a little salty because Tyson was the only fighter who ever stopped him. In fact, he absolutely destroyed him, much worse than Holmes beat an over the hill Ali.

[@karlcooper7016]

What kind of sh_t was Tyson on to avenge Ali? Holmes just said that Ali was his friend.

[@bakhtiarritonga3488]

Tanda akhir zaman semakin nyata ummat agama lain berlomba lomba masuk islam

[@ronaldmartinez4004]

JAMAS NOS GUSTO Q HAYAS GOLPEADO A MOHAMED (QEPD) Y RECIBIMOS CON AGRADO Y ALEGRIA LA CACHIMBEADA Q TE DIO TYSON.

[@pierantoniroberto4064]

Uno dei pesi massimi della storia lasciate perdere tayson un buffone

[@grattanvaz1614]

Tyson would have beaten holmes in whatever era and shape holmes could have been. Holmes is just a bragged.

[@coryanthony5134]

Ken Norton sucks lol..he could box until he had a power puncher going against him.

[@justiny.1773]

Ken definitely didn’t suck he wasn’t perfect but was great

[@joshlight6892]

He didn't suck, he was one of the best pure boxers of all time. Some people argue he beat Ali all three times he faced him. No guy who sucks could even get in that conversation. It is well known he had a weakness and fear for big punchers, but it was probably the one thing that kept him from being an all time great.

[@denissssss8579]

Ken Norton is underrated.

[@stevesimmons7375]

Mike Tyson would have beaten Holmes at any point in holmes career.

[@monkeyb1820]

possibly. It would have been a good fight had Larry been like 10 years or so younger. But Tyson may have still gotten through with a hard shot and beaten Holmes. But Buster Douglas, nowhere near the level of Holmes, kept Tyson under control with a strong jab.

[@monkeyb1820]

@Exar Probably. A prime Holmes may have had Tyson eating a lot of leather for a few rounds, and then Mike is more apt to get careless.

[@kennyalbert3692]

A prime Holmes,how about a Holmes who had a full training camp coming out of a 2 year retirement,the fight got moved up on him .If he e had been active leading up to Tyson Tyson would have had problems prime Holmes beats the shit out of him

[@magnuslundberg9675]

@@kennyalbert3692A prime Holmes would without question have done a lot better against Tyson, a win would be another matter entirely. A some years younger Holmes struggled against at least 3 opponents that Tyson simply blew away. Berbick as a novice gave Holmes serious problems and a good run for his money. Carl Williams fought quite like Holmes, and lost a controversial decision to him. And of course Michael Spinks beat him. Tyson annihilated all 3 as easily as he did Holmes. They weren't even remotely competitive, that has to mean something.

[@kennyalbert3692]

@@magnuslundberg9675 I can tell your studied so I hold your opinion in a higher regard than the majority but we will just have to agree to disagree.Holnes was well past his prime in the spinks fights,and your correct he struggled in a couple but I don't put a whole lot into what one did and the other didn't with the same opponents too many variables involved including their might have just been a match up problem.Buater Douglas can't be confused as Holmes but they were both the kind of boxers Tyson struggled with.Holnes had no legs under him at all in that Tyson fight and was what 38 I think.A prime Holmes could have done alot more than just make it interesting

[@alancawley9992]

Great fighter, but deluded. Tyson obliterated him.

[@tywaunnelson3710]

Holmes was good but not great!

[@joshlight6892]

Holmes was without a doubt one of the greatest of all time, its ludicrous to say otherwise. the man never lost until he was fading as a fighter. Not sure he was THE greatest, but definitely top 5. You don't win 48 fights in a row not being great. and some people argue be beat Spinks. The fight with Spinks takes place five years earlier Spinks has no chance to even get a questionable decision. Maybe even two years earlier. He went unbeaten till he was 35, whereas Marciano quit at 32 years old. Never fought at anything except his absolute prime.

[@kennyalbert3692]

20 title defenses over 7 years as a heavyweight and you say not great,lol Joe Louis is the only one qualified to even talk to Holmes about such a dominant stretch

[@filmopfil]

i think 99% of those who against/hate Lary , they cant say whay ... i meen people are so stupid .

[@charliecroft7012]

Some of you say Rocky head to head couldn't have taken Mike Tyson, you people just don't know that Rocky had the hardest punch in boxing history and he could a punch just as good as anyone else and mabe much better than any...

[@yahya-yd6ff]

Larry Holmes in a bum he has no class .