Larry Holmes says another heavyweight legend was overrated and ‘lucky’: ‘He never impressed me’

Larry Holmes pulled no punches inside or outside the ropes and was never too fond of another heavyweight icon.

Holmes was a legend in his own right, holding the world heavyweight title from 1978 to 1985, making an incredible 20 successful title defenses during that time.

During his reign, he defeated Muhammad Ali – although Ali was well beyond his best – as well as Earnie Shavers and Trevor Berbick, but he lost his titles in back-to-back defeats to Michael Spinks and later suffered a knockout loss to Mike Tyson.

Holmes would have two more world title opportunities during the 1990s, unsuccessfully against Evander Holyfield and Oliver McCall, but there is another notable name from that era that “The Easton Assassin” never stepped into the ring with.

That man is Lennox Lewis, the former undisputed champion who many fans consider one of the best heavyweights of all time.

It appears Holmes doesn’t share that sentiment, telling Boxing News that he doesn’t think there’s anything impressive about what Lewis has achieved.

“Lennox Lewis never impressed me. The guy packed a punch, he’s big and strong and anything can happen. I wish him the best.”

In an interview with Boxing Insider, Holmes went more in-depth. When asked where he ranked Lewis among the best, he replied:

“I don’t get into that ratings business. I don’t even rate myself. I let the media, the so-called experts, do that. But I can’t put Lennox Lewis in the top 100 yet because I saw him get knocked out by someone, I saw him quit – that was with Oliver McCall.

“So I can’t really consider him a great champion yet. He’s just a guy who’s had a chance to fight guys who aren’t really qualified enough to fight for the title…someone says, ‘He’s got a great jab.’ Well, they didn’t see a jab. They must have forgotten MY jab.”

Lewis has won world honors on numerous occasions and would become undisputed with a victory over Holyfield, while also defeating fighters such as Tyson, McCall and Vitali Klitschko during his career. He would eventually retire with a record of 41 wins in 44 fights. His two defeats – one to McCall in their first meeting and another to Hasim Rahman – were avenged in rematches.

As for Holmes, he last fought in 2002, almost 30 years after his debut, with a final record of 69 wins from his 75 fights.