Larry Holmes

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For the politician and activist, see Larry Holmes (Marxist).

Larry Holmes (born November 3, 1949 in Cuthbert, Georgia) is a former world heavyweight boxing champion. He is considered one of the best fighters in the history of heavyweight boxing.

As heavyweight champion, Holmes won his first 48 professional challenge fights, falling just one short of matching Rocky Marciano's record of 49 consecutive wins to start a career.

Holmes was born in Georgia, but he has spent the majority of his life living in Easton, Pennsylvania, from which he gained his boxing nickname, "The Easton Assassin."

Contents

1 Boxing career

1.1 Dominant champion
1.2 Controversial losses to Michael Spinks
1.3 Comebacks

2 See also
3 External links

Boxing career

During the early part of his boxing career in Pennsylvania, Holmes was a sparring partner to then heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, whose training camp was in Pennsylvania.

Holmes gained credibility as a contender when, in 1978, he upset Earnie Shavers, winning almost every round of a 12 round bout. This set up a title shot between Holmes and WBC heavyweight champion Ken Norton. Holmes won the WBC heavyweight title on June 9, 1978, defeating Norton in 15 rounds.

Dominant champion

In October 1980, Ali came out of retirement to face Holmes, who had by this time defended his title 7 times. Ali was a shadow of his former self, and Holmes dominated the fight. Ali's trainer, Angelo Dundee, stopped the fight after the tenth round. Holmes successfully defended the WBC belt 17 times in all until December 11, 1983, when he voluntarily relinquished that title for the championship of the new International Boxing Federation. Many fans attribute the IBF's early survival to Holmes' involvement as its first heavyweight champion.

Controversial losses to Michael Spinks

As IBF heavyweight champion, Holmes successfully defended the title 3 times, bringing his total number of title defenses to 20. In September 1985, He lost the IBF crown to undisputed world light heavyweight champion Michael Spinks by a close decision. This loss was particularly galling for Holmes because had he been victorious against Spinks, he would have tied the record of Rocky Marciano in winning 49 professional fights as a champion with no defeats. Holmes was criticized by many for comments he made after the fight, saying that "Rocky Marciano couldn't have carried my jockstrap".

In April 1986, Holmes lost a rematch with Spinks by a disputed split decision. A bitter Holmes told the judges to kiss his "big black behind," and did not fight again until January 1988, when reigning undisputed world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson knocked him out in the fourth round. Holmes retired after the fight.

Comebacks

In 1990, Holmes ended his retirement. In 1992, he upset the undefeated 1988 Olympic heavyweight champion Ray Mercer. Later that year, he got another shot at the world title, but lost by decision to Evander Holyfield. Holmes' last title shot was in 1994. At the age of 45, Holmes came within one point on two cards of winning the WBC title from Oliver McCall. His last fight was a decision victory against Eric Esch (Butterbean) in 2002. Holmes' career record is 69-6 (44 KOs).

Most feel that Holmes' losses were all the result of his age. By the time he had his first loss to Michael Spinks, he was almost 36 years old. Holmes' lack of popularity is attributed to him being the direct successor to Muhammad Ali, one of the most accomplished and most loved heavyweight champions of all time.

Holmes is regarded as having one of, if not the, greatest left jabs in heavyweight boxing history.

External links

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