GOAT Index

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Larry Holmes: the case for the GOAT

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    Larry Holmes: the case for the GOAT

    Heavyweight · USA · Born 3 November 1949, Cuthbert, Georgia, USA · Career 1973–2002

    'The Easton Assassin', heavyweight champion from 1978 to 1985. Possessed one of the best jabs in heavyweight history, with sound fundamentals and big-fight composure.

    Career highlights

    Why Larry Holmes could be the GOAT

    Holmes made 20 successful heavyweight title defences, second only to Joe Louis, and was unbeaten in his first 48 professional fights. His jab is often rated the best the division has seen. Overshadowed by Ali, he was nonetheless the most consistent heavyweight of his generation.

    What fans say

    Larry Holmes is #20 of 25 in the fan ranking, with a 0–1 head-to-head record from 19 Men's boxing votes. See the full Men's boxing GOAT ranking

    Larry Holmes head to head

    How the ranking works. Every head-to-head vote is a result, like a game. The standings use a Bradley–Terry model, the same idea behind chess ratings: beating a highly rated legend counts for more than beating a long shot. Ratings are shown on a chess-style scale centred on 1500.

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