Is Larry Holmes Positive About Anthony Joshua's Success Against Legendary Heavyweights?

It's a common belief among boxing fans that Larry Holmes, a legendary heavyweight boxer, expressed confidence in Anthony Joshua's potential to succeed against other heavyweight champions like Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Ken Norton, and Ernie Shavers. However, this perception is often accompanied by inaccuracy, and a closer look at Holmes' comments reveals a different narrative.

Anthony Joshua, despite his championship status, has faced significant challenges. He notably lost a Technical Knockout (TKO) to Andy Ruiz Jr. and suffered a rare defeat in a 12-round unanimous decision by Wladimir Klitschko. These losses raise questions about his ability to withstand the punches of fierce hitters like George Foreman, Joe Louis, and Sonny Liston, who were known for their powerful boxing skills.

Did Larry Holmes Ever Endorse Joshua's Success?

Contrary to popular belief, Larry Holmes did not express optimism about Joshua's success against the heavyweight greats. He was quite critical, stating that the era of Ali, Frazier, Foreman, and himself would dominate modern heavyweights. In various interviews, Holmes made it clear that he believed current heavyweights like Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Deontay Wilder would stand no chance against the fighters of his era.

Key Quotes from Larry Holmes

During a YouTube interview with the Pro Boxing Fans channel, Holmes was asked about Anthony Joshua's potential against figures like himself, Ali, Frazier, Foreman, and Shavers. Holmes responded with a statement that was deliberately misconstrued: "Yeah I do. Do you know why Because he’s 6’6” X 240 and he’s a big tough guy."

This quote was fabricated by Bob Garrett, a fanboy who supports Anthony Joshua. Garrett wanted to create a narrative that Joshua was a formidable opponent due to his physical attributes. However, Holmes never made such a statement. Instead, he made statements more reflective of his opinion, such as:

“They don’t have the abilities that we have.”

And:

“Our era would have dominated the likes of Anthony Joshua.”

These remarks were much more direct and aligned with Holmes' actual views on the capabilities of current heavyweights.

Further Criticism of Current Heavyweights by Larry Holmes

Larry Holmes wasn't alone in his harsh assessment of current heavyweight fighters. Other boxing legends have echoed his sentiments. For instance, Lennox Lewis, a former world heavyweight champion, has criticized Anthony Joshua for not wanting to face the best fighters of his time, such as Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.

“I think he’s too happy in England being protected and boxing in front of the British crowd.”

And in another statement:

“He doesn’t want any of those guys. When he’s seen that fight [Wilder v. Fury], he was like wow these guys can box. He’s at a place in his career in boxing -- obviously he can make the decisions. His decision is not to fight any of them at this moment.”

These comments suggest that Joshua's reluctance to face top-tier opponents is a significant factor in his lack of success against more formidable fighters.

Conclusion

In reality, Larry Holmes was critical of Anthony Joshua's potential to prevail against the heavyweight greats. His comments were always aligned with his belief that the current era would not match the formidable skill and power of boxing's golden age. While Joshua has achieved some successes, his performance against more experienced and powerful fighters raises questions about his true potential in the heavyweight division.

The fabricated quote attributed to Holmes by Bob Garrett is a clear example of how the internet can distort factual information to suit certain narratives. Understanding the true context and sentiment of legends like Larry Holmes is crucial for a balanced perspective on boxing's current landscape.