Larry Holmes has played down talks of Tyson Fury being the greatest heavyweight of his generation because of his lack of competition.
Fury, who has previously declared himself as the best fighter to have ever lived, announced his retirement after knocking out Dillian Whyte in April to defend his heavyweight title. 'The Gypsy King' improved his unbeaten record to 33 fights with the win.
Holmes, 72, retired from boxing two decades ago and was one of the best heavyweights of his generation. He won the inaugural IBF heavyweight title and also reigned as WBC champion, the belt Fury currently holds, for five years.
When asked if Fury is the greatest heavyweight of this era," Holmes told iFL TV : "He doesn't have too much competition. He can take it if he wants it bad enough."
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Holmes thinks that whilst they are active heavyweights who pose a threat to Fury, the division was a lot tougher during his era. "Not as strong when I fought, I had guys like Ken Norton, George Foreman, Muhammad Ali was out there. Strong guys who were dedicated and disciplined themselves just for boxing."
Fans have questioned Fury's decision to retire as an undisputed clash against Oleksandr Usyk or Anthony Joshua is on the table for him next. Holmes is also sceptical of his retirement, stating: "He's staying. I said the same thing, but no he's gonna fight again, because once that gets in your blood you keep it there."
It's not the first time Holmes has been critical of today's era of heavyweights. He previously critiqued the boxing skills of Fury and Joshua whilst giving the pair no chance of beating the best heavyweights from his generation.
“They don’t have no skills,” he told Fight Hub. They throw punches like this [from their waist] for a jab, you don’t throw a punch like that, you throw straight. You can’t hit me with that right hand because this hand’s here to protect me. They don’t know how to throw a one-two, and move out to protect yourself."
Speaking of Fury, he said: "He’s got to move like Larry Holmes, that’s what he’s got to move like. You’ve got to give punches, you shouldn’t take punches and that’s what he does, he takes punches. I guess that’s what he wanted to do, prove to people that he can take a punch."
