Ali, at his best, would have beaten Larry Holmes without question. Holmes was really good, but Ali was the best!

Intriguing? It is for those who actually saw a rising Larry Holmes convincingly beat a way-past-his-prime Muhammad Ali in their only encounter. The way Holmes was trying to hold back because of his respect to the quickly-fading Ali was one of the more memorable (yet sad) moments in heavyweight boxing history. But the prime Holmes of the early-1980s (the Holmes which demolished Gerry Cooney and Marvin Frazier) would have been no match against the prime Ali of the mid-1960s. No disrespect to Holmes, who was one of the greatest heavyweights ever, but Ali was just better. Unbelievably quick and ring saavy, with the ability to take heavy blows, as well as deliver punches in multitudes, Ali would have easily outpointed and embarrassed the largely stationary Holmes- regardless of Holmes's legendary jab.

Ali would have outpointed Holmes all the way. Don't forget that Holmes learned every thing he had by being Ali's sparring partner. Holmes was a great fighter and champion but Ali was in a class that no other heavyweight had before or since.

When Ali and Holmes fought each other in the early 80's Ali was an old man, at least in the ring, so Holmes had a easy victory. Could he have beaten the Ali who fought Joe Frazier at his peak, or toppled George Forman or beaten Sonny Liston. I don't believe so. Holmes is never given credit for being a great fighter, but he was. He would have made a great fight of it, and he had a tremendous jab, possibly better than Ali's. But Ali was a magical fighter that somehow almost always pulled the rabbit out of the hat, when he had to. I think Ali was the greatest heavyweight of all time, period. He would have beaten Holmes, probably by decision.

Ali would have a reasonably easy victory in this match beacuse he had it all-speed,agility,strength,stamina and heart. Just try and think of Ali's best punch, probably his jab but its very debateful- then look at Holmes's best punch,eh jab, jab and jab, thats mainly all he had and against the greatest boxer of all time a good jab wont win you the fight!

This is a joke, right? Ali (in his prime) would have made Holmes wear a dress. Holmes wasn't stronger, quicker, or a better boxer than Ali. Although Holmes could have made it to the later rounds, this one isn't even too close to call.

Both with nice jabs, but holmes was the more damaging. No knockouts here as both could take a punch and were not devastating punchers. I see Ali taking the early rounds but Holmes getting more aggressive as he falls behind and getting the decision. Many dont recognize how dominating Holmes was in the Heavyweight division. Seven years of defending his title and taking on all contenders is impressive. The left jab that he developed after breaking his right hand and not boxing for a year was the best Id ever seen.

This would have been a pretty good fight, with Holmes having a pretty nice jab, but Ali would have won eventually.