Larry Holmes
Larry Holmes | |
---|---|
Born | Cuthbert, Georgia,U.S. | November 3, 1949
Other names | The Easton Assassin |
Statistics | |
Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
Reach | 81 in (206 cm) |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 75 |
Wins | 69 |
Wins by KO | 44 |
Losses | 6 |
Larry Holmes(born November 3, 1949) is an American formerprofessional boxerwho competed from 1973 to 2002 and was world heavyweight champion from 1978 until 1985. He is often considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.[1][2][3]He grew up inEaston, Pennsylvania,which led to his boxing nickname of the "Easton Assassin".
Holmes's leftjabis often rated among the best in heavyweight boxing history.[4]In addition to holding the WBC heavyweight title from 1978 to 1983, Holmes held theRingmagazine andlinealheavyweight titles from 1980 to 1985[5]and the inauguralIBFheavyweight title from 1983 to 1985.[6][7]
Holmes won his first 48 professional bouts, including victories overKen Norton(the man he defeated in 1978 for the WBC championship),Muhammad Ali,Earnie Shavers,Mike Weaver,Gerry Cooney,Tim Witherspoon,Carl Williams,andMarvis Frazier.Holmes fell one short of matchingRocky Marciano's career record of 49–0 when he lost toMichael Spinksin a 1985 upset. Holmes retired after losing a rematch to Spinks the following year but made repeated comebacks. He was unsuccessful in four further comeback attempts (againstMike Tysonin 1988,Evander Holyfieldin 1992,Oliver McCallin 1995 andBrian Nielsenin 1997) to regain a variation of the heavyweight title. Holmes fought for the final time in 2002, at age 52, against the 334lbEric "Butterbean" Eschand ended his career with a record of 69 wins and 6 losses, with all of his losses coming in world title fights.[8]
Holmes is frequently ranked as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time[9]and has been inducted into both theInternational Boxing Hall of Fameand World Boxing Hall of Fame. He is the only boxer to have defeated Muhammad Ali bystoppageand the last living boxer to have defeated Ali.
Early life
[edit]Holmes was the fourth of twelve children born to John and Flossie Holmes. In 1954, the family moved toEaston, Pennsylvania,in theLehigh Valleyregion of easternPennsylvania.Holmes' father went toConnecticut,where he visited the family every three weeks and worked as a gardener until his death in 1970. "He didn't forsake us", said Flossie Holmes. "He just didn't have anything to give." The family survived on welfare. To help support his family, Holmes dropped out of school when he was in the seventh grade and went to work at a car wash for $1 an hour. He later drove a dump truck and worked in a Lehigh Valley quarry.[10]
Amateur career
[edit]Holmes began boxing at age 18. In his twenty-first bout, he boxedNick Wellsin the semifinals of the 1972 NationalOlympicTrials inFort Worth, Texas.Wells, a southpaw known for unprecedently high knockout-to-win percentage for an amateur boxer, with a majority of knockouts coming in the first round, stopped Holmes in the first round. Nevertheless, Holmes was chosen by a selection committee of theNational Olympic authoritiesto fight at theOlympicbox-offs inWest Point, New York,where he had a match-up versusDuane Bobick.Holmes was dropped in the first round with a right to the head. He got up and danced out of range, landing several stiff jabs in the process. Bobick mauled Holmes in the second round but could not corner him. The referee warned Holmes twice in the second round for holding. In the third, Bobick landed several good rights and started to corner Holmes, who continued to hold. Eventually, Holmes was disqualified for excessive holding.[11]
Professional career
[edit]Early years
[edit]After compiling an amateur record of 19–3, Holmes turned professional on March 21, 1973, winning a four-round decision against Rodell Dupree. Early in his career he worked as a sparring partner forMuhammad Ali,Joe Frazier,Earnie Shavers,andJimmy Young.He was paid well and learned a lot. "I was young, and I didn't know much. But I was holding my own sparring those guys", Holmes said. "I thought, 'hey, these guys are the best, the champs. If I can hold my own now, what about later?'"
Holmes first gained credibility as a contender when he upset the hard-punchingEarnie Shaversin March 1978. Holmes won by a lopsided twelve-round unanimous decision, winning every round on two scorecards and all but one on the third. Holmes's victory over Shavers set up a title shot between Holmes andWBCHeavyweight ChampionKen NortoninLas Vegason June 9, 1978.
Defeating Norton and winning WBC heavyweight championship
[edit]Holmes metKen Nortonon June 9, 1978, for a tough, competitive fight. After fourteen rounds, each of the three judges scored the fight dead even at seven rounds each. Holmes rallied late in the fifteenth to win the round on two scorecards and take the WBC title by a split decision.[10]
In his first two title defenses, Holmes easily knocked outAlfredo EvangelistaandOssie Ocasio.His third title defense was a tough one. On June 22, 1979, Holmes faced futureWBAHeavyweight ChampionMike Weaver,who was lightly regarded going into the fight sporting an uninspiring 19–8 record. After ten tough rounds, Holmes dropped Weaver with a right uppercut late in round eleven. In the twelfth, Holmes immediately went on the attack, backing Weaver into the ropes and pounding him with powerful rights until the referee stepped in and stopped it. "This man knocked the devil out of me", Holmes said. "This man might not have had credit before tonight, but you'll give it to him now."[12]
Three months later, on September 28, 1979, Holmes had a rematch with Shavers, who got a title shot by knocking out Norton in one round. Holmes dominated the first six rounds, but in the seventh, Shavers sent Holmes down with a devastating overhand right. Holmes got up, survived the round, and went on to punish Shavers in the eleventh round and the referee stopped the fight.[13]
His next three defenses were knockouts of Lorenzo Zanon,Leroy Jones,andScott LeDoux.
Defeating Ali
[edit]On October 2, 1980, atCaesars Palacein Las Vegas, Holmes defended his title againstMuhammad Ali,who was coming out of retirement in an attempt to become the first four-time world heavyweight champion. Holmes dominated the 38-year-old Ali, winning every round on all three judges' scorecards. At the end of the tenth round, Ali's trainer stepped in to stop the fight as Holmes was inflicting major blows on Ali, handing Ali the only stoppage defeat of his career.[14]After the win, Holmes received recognition asWorld Heavyweight ChampionbyThe Ring.
Ali blamed his poor performance on thyroid medication which he had been taking, saying that it helped him lose weight (he weighed 217½, his lowest weight since he foughtGeorge Foremanin 1974), but it also left him drained for the fight.[15]
Holmes seemed to show signs of sadness in punishing Ali so much during the fight. Tears appeared in Holmes's eyes during a post-fight interview. When asked why he was crying, he said that he respected Ali "a whole lot" and "he fought one of the baddest heavyweights in the world today, and you cannot take credit from him."[16]
Holmes's trainerRichie Giachetticalled Holmes's pummeling of Ali "awful... the worst sports event I ever had to cover." ActorSylvester Stallonewas ringside for the fight and said that it was like watching an autopsy on a man who is still alive. The Holmes fight is said to have contributed to Ali'sParkinson'ssyndrome.[17]
Defeating Berbick, Leon Spinks & Snipes
[edit]After eight consecutive knockouts, Holmes was forced to go the distance when he successfully defended his title against future WBC Heavyweight ChampionTrevor Berbickon April 11, 1981. In his next fight, two months later, Holmes knocked out former Undisputed World Heavyweight ChampionLeon Spinksin three rounds. On November 6, 1981, Holmes rose from a seventh-round knockdown, during which he staggered into the turnbuckle, to stopRenaldo Snipesin the eleventh.
Defeating Cooney
[edit]On June 11, 1982, Holmes defended his title againstGerry Cooney,the undefeated #1 contender and anIrish-American.The lead-up to the fight had many racial overtones, with promoterDon Kingand others hyping Cooney as the "Great White Hope."Holmes said that if Cooney wasn't white, he would not be getting the same purse as the champion (both boxers received $10 million for the bout).[18]Although Cooney tried to deflect questions about race, members of his camp wore shirts that said "Not the White Man, but the Right Man."[18]In their fight previews,Sports IllustratedandTimeput Cooney on the cover, not Holmes. Boxing tradition dictates that the champion be introduced last, but the challenger, Cooney, was introduced last.[18]
The bout was held in a 32,000-seat stadium erected in a Caesar's Palace Parking lot, with millions more watching around the world. After an uneventful first round, Holmes dropped Cooney with a right in the second. Cooney came back well in the next two rounds, jarring Holmes with his powerful left hook. Holmes later said that Cooney "hit me so damned hard, I felt it—boom—in my bones."[19]Cooney was tiring by the ninth, a round in which he had two points deducted for low blows. In the tenth, they traded punches relentlessly. At the end of the round, the two nodded to each other in respect.[19]Cooney lost another point because of low blows in the eleventh. By then, Holmes was landing with ease. In the thirteenth, a barrage of punches sent Cooney down. He got up, but his trainer, Victor Valle, stepped into the ring and stopped the fight.[19]
After the fight, Holmes and Cooney became close friends.[19][20]
Trouble with the WBC
[edit]Holmes's next two fights were one-sided decision wins overRandall "Tex" Cobband ex-European champion Lucien Rodriguez. On May 20, 1983, Holmes defended his title againstTim Witherspoon,the future WBC and WBA Heavyweight Champion. Witherspoon, a six to one underdog and with only 15 professional bouts to his name, surprised many by giving Holmes a difficult fight. After twelve rounds, Holmes retained the title by a disputed split decision.[21]
On September 10, 1983, Holmes successfully defended the WBC title for the sixteenth time, knocking out Scott Frank in five rounds. Holmes then signed to fightMarvis Frazier,son ofJoe Frazier,on November 25, 1983. The WBC refused to sanction the fight against the unranked Frazier. They ordered Holmes to fightGreg Page,the #1 contender, or be stripped of the title. PromoterDon Kingoffered Holmes $2.55 million to fight Page, but the champion didn't think that was enough. He was making $3.1 million to fight Frazier and felt he should get as much as $5 million to fight Page.[22]
Holmes had an easy time with Frazier, knocking him out in the first round.[23]The following month, Holmes relinquished the WBC championship.
IBF heavyweight champion
[edit]Despite his no longer being recognized by the WBC as champion, Holmes was still regarded as the lineal champion as well as being recognized as world champion byThe Ring.On December 11, 1983, the newly formedInternational Boxing Federationextended recognition to Holmes, and he accepted.[24]
As 1984 began, Holmes andGerrie Coetzee,theWBAchampion, were signed to unify the titles on June 15, 1984, at Caesars Palace. The fight was being promoted by JPD Inc., but it was canceled when Caesars Palace said the promoters failed to meet the financial conditions of the contract. Holmes was promised $13 million and Coetzee was promised $8 million. Even after cutting the purses dramatically, they still couldn't come up with enough financial backing to stage the fight.[25]Don King then planned to promote the fight, but Holmes lost a lawsuit filed by Virginia attorney Richard Hirschfeld, who said he had a contract with Holmes that gave him right of first refusal on a Holmes-Coetzee bout. Holmes then decided to move on and fight someone else.[26]
On November 9, 1984, after a year out of the ring, Holmes made his first defense of the IBF title, stoppingJames "Bonecrusher" Smithon a cut in the twelfth round. In the first half of 1985, Holmes stoppedDavid Beyin ten rounds for his 19th title defense. His next againstCarl "The Truth" Williamswas unexpectedly tough. The younger, quicker Williams was able to out-jab the aging champion, who was left with a badly swollen eye by the end of the bout. Holmes emerged with a close, and disputed, fifteen-round unanimous decision.
Holmes vs. Michael Spinks 1 & 2
[edit]Holmes's next fight had the potential to make boxing history. He agreed to terms to fightMichael Spinks,the undisputed champion atlight heavyweight,for his twentieth world title defense September 21, 1985. A victory for Holmes would have tiedRocky Marciano's mark of 49 consecutive wins without a loss. Spinks, meanwhile, was looking to joinBob Fitzsimmonsas the only other boxer at the time to win titles at both light heavyweight and heavyweight. In addition, if he defeated Holmes, Spinks would become the first ever reigning light heavyweight champion to win the heavyweight title.
Before the fightArchie Moore,the long-time light heavyweight champion who unsuccessfully challenged for the heavyweight crown himself twice, predicted an easy win for Holmes: "I'm afraid Larry will chew him up. Michael may be faster than Larry, but you can only go so fast."[27]Despite the assessment, it indeed would be Spinks whose historical destiny would be fulfilled, as he defeated Holmes via unanimous decision to become the first reigning light heavyweight champion to win the heavyweight title.[28]After the fight, a bitter Holmes said, "Rocky Marciano couldn't carry my jockstrap."
Holmes had a rematch with Spinks on April 19, 1986. Spinks retained the title with a disputed fifteen-round split decision. The judges scored the fight: JudgeJoe Cortez144–141 (Holmes), Judge Frank Brunette 141–144 (Spinks) and Judge Jerry Roth 142–144 (Spinks.)[29]In a post-fight interview withHBO,Holmes said, "the judges, the referees and promoters can kiss me where the sun don't shine—and because we're on HBO, that's my big black behind."[30]
On November 6, 1986, three days after his 37th birthday, Holmes announced his retirement.[31]
Comebacks
[edit]On January 22, 1988, Holmes was lured out of retirement by a $2.8 million purse to challenge reigning Undisputed World Heavyweight ChampionMike Tyson.Tyson dropped Holmes in the fourth round with an overhand right. Holmes got up, but Tyson put him down two more times in the round, and the fight was stopped. It was the only time Holmes was knocked out in his career. After the fight, Holmes again retired.[32]
Holmes returned to the ring in 1991 and became a much more active fighter, usually fighting onUSA Tuesday Night Fightscards every few weeks against up and comers and journeymen. After five straight wins, he foughtRay Mercer,the undefeated 1988OlympicGold Medalist, on February 7, 1992. Holmes pulled off the upset and won by a 12-round unanimous decision.[33](Holmes later claimed that he fought Mercer in spite of having a detached retina.[34]) The win got Holmes a shot atEvander Holyfieldfor the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship. On June 19, 1992, Holyfield defeated Holmes by a twelve-round unanimous decision.[35]
On April 8, 1995, he foughtOliver McCallfor the WBC title. Holmes lost by a close 12-round unanimous decision. Two of the judges had him losing by one point, while the other judge had him losing by three points.[36]
Holmes was back in the ring five months later, resuming the pace he had set since his comeback. However, he was growing tired of the sport and, after he fought and knocked out Anthony Willis in June 1996 on another USA boxing event, Holmes announced that unless he received a shot at the title, the fight against Willis was likely to be his last.
On January 24, 1997, Holmes got his last opportunity to fight for a heavyweight championship when he traveled toCopenhagento fight undefeatedInternational Boxing OrganizationchampionBrian Nielsen.Nielsen won by a 12-round split decision to retain the title.[37]
Holmes andGeorge Foremansigned to fight on January 23, 1999, at theAstrodomeinHouston.Foreman called off the fight several weeks before it was to take place because the promoter failed to meet the deadline for paying him the remaining $9 million of his $10 million purse. Foreman received a nonrefundable $1 million deposit, and Holmes got to keep a $400,000 down-payment of his $4 million purse.[38]
Holmes's next two fights were rematches with old foes. On June 18, 1999, he stopped "Bonecrusher" Smith in eight rounds,[39]and on November 17, 2000, he stopped Mike Weaver in six.[40]
Holmes's final fight was on July 27, 2002, inNorfolk, Virginia,in which he defeatedEric "Butterbean" Eschin a 10-round unanimous decision.[41]
Post-boxing life
[edit]Holmes invested the money he earned from boxing and settled in his hometown ofEaston.When he retired from boxing, Holmes employed more than 200 people through his various business holdings. In 2008, he owned two restaurants and a nightclub, a training facility, an office complex, a snack food bar and slot machines.[citation needed]As of 2009, Holmes co-hosted a talk show entitledWhat The Heck Were They Thinking?[42]
In 2014, Holmes sold his business complex in Easton to entrepreneur Gerald Gorman, CEO ofmail.com.[43]
In 2016, Holmes guest starred as himself in an episode ofMike Tyson Mysteries,titled "Unsolved Situations".
Honors
[edit]Holmes was inducted into theInternational Boxing Hall of Famein 2008.[44]
Personal life
[edit]In 1979, Larry Holmes married Diane Robinson, with whom he has two children.[45]He also has three daughters from two previous relationships.[46][47]
As of 2019, Holmes is living inPalmer Township, Pennsylvania,nearEaston.[48]
Holmes's younger brother, Mark Holmes, was a middleweight boxer from 1980 to 1987.[49]
Professional boxing record
[edit]75 fights | 69 wins | 6 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 44 | 1 |
By decision | 25 | 5 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round(s), time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
75 | Win | 69–6 | Eric "Butterbean" Esch | UD | 10 | Jul 27, 2002 | Scope,Norfolk, Virginia,U.S. | |
74 | Win | 68–6 | Mike Weaver | TKO | 6 (10),0:45 | Nov 17, 2000 | Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. | |
73 | Win | 67–6 | James Smith | TKO | 8 (10),2:00 | Jun 18, 1999 | Crown Coliseum,Fayetteville, North Carolina,U.S. | |
72 | Win | 66–6 | Maurice Harris | SD | 10 | Jul 29, 1997 | The Theater at Madison Square Garden,New York City, New York, U.S. | |
71 | Loss | 65–6 | Brian Nielsen | SD | 12 | Jan 24, 1997 | Brøndby Hall,Copenhagen,Denmark | ForIBO heavyweight title |
70 | Win | 65–5 | Anthony Willis | KO | 8 (10),1:13 | Jun 16, 1996 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. | |
69 | Win | 64–5 | Quinn Navarre | UD | 10 | Apr 16, 1996 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. | |
68 | Win | 63–5 | Curtis Sheppard | KO | 4 (10),2:41 | Jan 9, 1996 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. | |
67 | Win | 62–5 | Ed Donaldson | UD | 10 | Sep 19, 1995 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. | |
66 | Loss | 61–5 | Oliver McCall | UD | 12 | Apr 8, 1995 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | For WBC heavyweight title |
65 | Win | 61–4 | Jesse Ferguson | UD | 10 | Sep 8, 1994 | Mystic Lake Casino Hotel,Shakopee, Minnesota,U.S. | |
64 | Win | 60–4 | Garing Lane | UD | 10 | Mar 8, 1994 | Foxwoods Resort Casino,Ledyard, Connecticut,U.S. | |
63 | Win | 59–4 | José Ribalta | UD | 10 | Sep 28, 1993 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. | |
62 | Win | 58–4 | Paul Poirier | RTD | 6 (10),3:00 | May 18, 1993 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. | |
61 | Win | 57–4 | Ken Lakusta | RTD | 7 (10),3:00 | Apr 13, 1993 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. | |
60 | Win | 56–4 | Rocky Pepeli | RTD | 4 (10),3:00 | Mar 9, 1993 | Casino Magic,Bay St. Louis, Mississippi,U.S. | |
59 | Win | 55–4 | Everett Martin | UD | 10 | Jan 5, 1993 | Coast Coliseum,Biloxi, Mississippi,U.S. | |
58 | Loss | 54–4 | Evander Holyfield | UD | 12 | Jun 19, 1992 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | For WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles |
57 | Win | 54–3 | Ray Mercer | UD | 12 | Feb 7, 1992 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
56 | Win | 53–3 | Jamie Howe | TKO | 1 (10),1:57 | Nov 12, 1991 | Coliseum,Jacksonville, Florida,U.S. | |
55 | Win | 52–3 | Art Card | UD | 10 | Sep 17, 1991 | Marriott's World Center,Orlando, Florida,U.S. | |
54 | Win | 51–3 | Michael Greer | KO | 4 (10),1:18 | Aug 24, 1991 | Neal S. Blaisdell Arena,Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. | |
53 | Win | 50–3 | Eddie Gonzales | UD | 10 | Aug 13, 1991 | Hyatt Regency,Tampa, Florida,U.S. | |
52 | Win | 49–3 | Tim Anderson | TKO | 1 (10),2:03 | Apr 7, 1991 | The Diplomat,Hollywood, Florida,U.S. | |
51 | Loss | 48–3 | Mike Tyson | KO | 4 (12),2:55 | Jan 22, 1988 | Convention Hall,Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | ForWBA,WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles |
50 | Loss | 48–2 | Michael Spinks | SD | 15 | Apr 19, 1986 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | For IBF andThe Ringheavyweight titles |
49 | Loss | 48–1 | Michael Spinks | UD | 15 | Sep 21, 1985 | Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Lost IBF andThe Ringheavyweight titles |
48 | Win | 48–0 | Carl Williams | UD | 15 | May 20, 1985 | Lawlor Events Center,Reno, Nevada,U.S. | Retained IBF andThe Ringheavyweight titles |
47 | Win | 47–0 | David Bey | TKO | 10 (15),2:58 | Mar 15, 1985 | Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Retained IBF andThe Ringheavyweight titles |
46 | Win | 46–0 | James Smith | TKO | 12 (15),2:10 | Nov 9, 1984 | Riviera,Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | RetainedIBFandThe Ringheavyweight titles |
45 | Win | 45–0 | Marvis Frazier | TKO | 1 (12),2:57 | Nov 25, 1983 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | RetainedThe Ringheavyweight title |
44 | Win | 44–0 | Scott Frank | TKO | 5 (12),1:28 | Sep 10, 1983 | Broadway by the Bay Theater,Atlantic City, New Jersey,U.S. | Retained WBC andThe Ringheavyweight titles |
43 | Win | 43–0 | Tim Witherspoon | SD | 12 | May 20, 1983 | Dunes,Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC andThe Ringheavyweight titles |
42 | Win | 42–0 | Lucien Rodriguez | UD | 12 | Mar 27, 1983 | Watres Armory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Retained WBC andThe Ringheavyweight titles |
41 | Win | 41–0 | Randall Cobb | UD | 15 | Nov 26, 1982 | Astrodome,Houston, Texas,U.S. | Retained WBC andThe Ringheavyweight titles |
40 | Win | 40–0 | Gerry Cooney | TKO | 13 (15),2:52 | Jun 11, 1982 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC andThe Ringheavyweight titles |
39 | Win | 39–0 | Renaldo Snipes | TKO | 11 (15),1:05 | Nov 6, 1981 | Civic Arena,Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,U.S. | Retained WBC andThe Ringheavyweight titles |
38 | Win | 38–0 | Leon Spinks | TKO | 3 (15),2:34 | Jun 12, 1981 | Joe Louis Arena,Detroit, Michigan,U.S. | Retained WBC andThe Ringheavyweight titles |
37 | Win | 37–0 | Trevor Berbick | UD | 15 | Apr 11, 1981 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC andThe Ringheavyweight titles |
36 | Win | 36–0 | Muhammad Ali | RTD | 10 (15),3:00 | Oct 2, 1980 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC andThe Ringheavyweight titles |
35 | Win | 35–0 | Scott LeDoux | TKO | 7 (15),2:05 | Jul 7, 1980 | Metropolitan Sports Center,Bloomington, Minnesota,U.S. | Retained WBC andThe Ringheavyweight title |
34 | Win | 34–0 | Leroy Jones | TKO | 8 (15),2:56 | Mar 31, 1980 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC heavyweight title |
33 | Win | 33–0 | Lorenzo Zanon | KO | 6 (15),2:39 | Feb 3, 1980 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC heavyweight title |
32 | Win | 32–0 | Earnie Shavers | TKO | 11 (15),2:00 | Sep 28, 1979 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC heavyweight title |
31 | Win | 31–0 | Mike Weaver | TKO | 12 (15),0:44 | Jun 22, 1979 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained WBC heavyweight title |
30 | Win | 30–0 | Ossie Ocasio | TKO | 7 (15),2:38 | Mar 23, 1979 | Hilton,Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC heavyweight title |
29 | Win | 29–0 | Alfredo Evangelista | KO | 7 (15),2:14 | Nov 10, 1978 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC heavyweight title |
28 | Win | 28–0 | Ken Norton | SD | 15 | Jun 9, 1978 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | WonWBC heavyweight title |
27 | Win | 27–0 | Earnie Shavers | UD | 12 | Mar 25, 1978 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
26 | Win | 26–0 | Ibar Arrington | TKO | 10 (10),1:38 | Nov 5, 1977 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
25 | Win | 25–0 | Fred Houpe | TKO | 7 (10),0:47 | Sep 14, 1977 | Caesars Palace,Paradise, Nevada,U.S. | |
24 | Win | 24–0 | Horace Robinson | TKO | 5 (10) | Mar 17, 1977 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
23 | Win | 23–0 | Tom Prater | UD | 8 | Jan 16, 1977 | USSLexington,Pensacola, Florida,U.S. | |
22 | Win | 22–0 | Roy Williams | UD | 10 | Apr 30, 1976 | Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland, U.S. | |
21 | Win | 21–0 | Fred Askew | TKO | 2 (10),2:18 | Apr 5, 1976 | Capital Centre,Landover, Maryland,U.S. | |
20 | Win | 20–0 | Joe Gholston | TKO | 8 (10),2:32 | Jan 29, 1976 | Allan P. Kirby Field House,Easton, Pennsylvania,U.S. | |
19 | Win | 19–0 | Billy Joiner | TKO | 3 (10),2:29 | Dec 20, 1975 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum,San Juan,Puerto Rico | |
18 | Win | 18–0 | Leon Shaw | KO | 1 (10) | Dec 9, 1975 | D.C. Armory,Washington, D.C.,U.S. | |
17 | Win | 17–0 | Rodney Bobick | TKO | 6 (10),2:46 | Oct 1, 1975 | Araneta Coliseum,Quezon City,Philippines | |
16 | Win | 16–0 | Charlie James | PTS | 10 | Aug 26, 1975 | International Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. | |
15 | Win | 15–0 | Obie English | TKO | 7 (10) | Aug 16, 1975 | Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
14 | Win | 14–0 | Ernie Smith | KO | 3 (8) | May 16, 1975 | Convention Center,Winchester, Nevada,U.S. | |
13 | Win | 13–0 | Robert Yarborough | KO | 4,2:58 | Apr 26, 1975 | Maple Leaf Gardens,Toronto, Ontario,Canada | |
12 | Win | 12–0 | Oliver Wright | TKO | 3 | Apr 9, 1975 | International Center,Honolulu, Hawaii,U.S. | |
11 | Win | 11–0 | Charley Green | KO | 1 (8),1:57 | Mar 24, 1975 | Coliseum,Richfield, Ohio,U.S. | |
10 | Win | 10–0 | Joe Hathaway | TKO | 1 (8),2:47 | Dec 11, 1974 | Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
9 | Win | 9–0 | Bob Mashburn | TKO | 7 (8) | May 29, 1974 | Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
8 | Win | 8–0 | Howard Darlington | TKO | 4 (6),2:23 | Apr 24, 1974 | Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
7 | Win | 7–0 | Kevin Isaac | TKO | 3 (6),1:05 | Nov 28, 1973 | Cleveland Arena,Cleveland, Ohio,U.S. | |
6 | Win | 6–0 | Jerry Judge | PTS | 6 | Nov 14, 1973 | Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
5 | Win | 5–0 | Bob Bozic | PTS | 6 | Sep 10, 1973 | Madison Square Garden,New York City, New York,U.S. | |
4 | Win | 4–0 | Don Branch | PTS | 6 | Aug 22, 1973 | Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | Curtis Whitner | TKO | 1 (4),2:14 | Jun 20, 1973 | Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Art Savage | TKO | 3 (4),1:32 | May 2, 1973 | Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Rodell Dupree | PTS | 4 | Mar 21, 1973 | Catholic Youth Center,Scranton, Pennsylvania,U.S. |
Exhibition boxing record
[edit]8 fights | 0 wins | 0 losses |
---|---|---|
Non-scored | 8 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round(s), time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 | — | 0-0(8) | Ron McCarthy | — | 3 | Jan 16, 2004 | Boutwell Memorial Auditorium,Birmingham,Alabama,U.S. | Non-scored bout |
7 | — | 0-0(7) | James Tillis | — | 2 | Mar 18, 1990 | Jakarta, Indonesia | Non-scored bout |
6 | — | 0-0(6) | Bernardo Mercado | — | 2 | Mar 18, 1990 | Jakarta,Indonesia | Non-scored bout |
5 | — | 0-0(5) | Tim Anderson | — | 4 | Nov 10, 1989 | Jacksonville,Florida,U.S. | Non-scored bout |
4 | — | 0-0(4) | Floyd Cummings | — | 4 | Mar 27, 1982 | Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Non-scored bout |
3 | — | 0-0(3) | Mitch Green | — | 2 | Mar 27, 1982 | Playboy Hotel & Casino,Atlantic City,New Jersey,U.S. | Non-scored bout |
2 | — | 0-0(2) | Jody Ballard | — | 2 | Feb 2, 1979 | Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. | Non-scored bout |
1 | — | 0-0(1) | Wendell Baily | — | 2 | Feb 2, 1979 | Allentown,Pennsylvania,U.S. | Non-scored bout |
See also
[edit]- List of heavyweight boxing champions
- List of WBC world champions
- List of IBF world champions
- List ofThe Ringworld champions
References
[edit]- ^"List of the 10 greatest heavyweight boxers of all time: Has Tyson Fury done enough to make the cut? | DAZN News UK".DAZN.2022-04-24.Retrieved2023-05-20.
- ^Fischer, Doug (2016-02-10)."Bill Caplan's 20 greatest heavyweights".The Ring.Retrieved2023-05-20.
- ^"The Best Heavyweights Of All Time, Named And Ranked".SPORTbible.2021-09-03.Retrieved2023-05-20.
- ^"10 things to still appreciate about Larry Holmes".ESPN.com.6 June 2008.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^"Larry Holmes".Cyber Boxing Zone.Retrieved20 November2016.
- ^"The Bryan Times".News.google.com.Retrieved2016-02-25– via Google News Archive Search.
- ^"Larry Holmes".Boxrec.com.Retrieved2016-02-25.
- ^"Larry Holmes – Boxer".boxrec.com.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^"Boxing: Historians Rankings of The Great Heavyweights".tripod.com.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^abPat Putnam (November 6, 1978)."Don't Hate 'em Just Hit 'em".Sports Illustrated.Archived fromthe originalon October 26, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^"Bobick Captures Olympic Berth".The Tuscaloosa News.Associated Press.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^"Weaver hurts Holmes before bowing in 12".The Spokesman-Review.Associated Press. June 23, 1979.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^Will Grimsley (September 29, 1979)."Holmes Wins Wild Brawl".The Argus-Press.Associated Press.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^"Doom In The Desert".Sports Illustrated.October 13, 1980. Archived fromthe originalon October 10, 2010.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^"Ali Reportedly Used Drug to Lose Weight".The Pittsburgh Press.UPI. October 6, 1980.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^VideoonYouTube
- ^Hale, Mike (October 26, 2009)."Boxing King Casts His Shadow, Even at Time of Defeat".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 5,2012.
- ^abcDahlberg, Time (June 30, 2007)."Holmes and Cooney recall divisive fight".USA Today.
- ^abcdTallent, Aaron (June 9, 2006)."Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney".TheSweetScience.com.Archived fromthe originalon February 21, 2009.
- ^"Larry Holmes and Gerry Cooney: Foes for a Night, Friends for a Lifetime".Worldboxing101.com.Archived fromthe originalon February 27, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 25,2016.
- ^Pat Putnam (May 30, 1983)."Holmes Really Had a Spoonful".Sports Illustrated.Archived fromthe originalon October 26, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^"Archived copy".Archived fromthe originalon February 27, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 21,2016.
{{cite web}}
:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^"Archived copy".Archived fromthe originalon March 12, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 21,2016.
{{cite web}}
:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^"Google News Archive Search".news.google.com.Archived fromthe originalon July 11, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 29,2021.
- ^"On Again, Off Again Fight May Be On Again".Times Daily.July 3, 1984.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^"Holmes signs for title fight in November".Eugene Register-Guard.Associated Press. September 19, 1984.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^Liebman, Glenn (1996).Boxing Shorts.Chicago, IL: Contemporary Books, Inc. p. 16.ISBN0-8092-3216-2.
- ^Pat Putnam (September 30, 1985)."Michael Played the Heavy".Sports Illustrated.Archived fromthe originalon October 26, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^"Holmes vs Spinks 2nd Fight Scorecards".boxrec.com.RetrievedMarch 28,2011.
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- ^"SPORTS PEOPLE – Holmes Retires".The New York Times.November 7, 1986.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^"Tyson Batters Holmes in 4 Rounds".Herald-Journal.Associated Press. January 23, 1988.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^"Archived copy".Archived fromthe originalon February 27, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 21,2016.
{{cite web}}
:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^"Larry Holmes Says He Fought Mercer With a Detached Retina".Associated Press. December 30, 1992 – via LA Times.
- ^Tim Wahlberg (June 20, 1992)."Holyfield beats Holmes by unanimous decision".The Argus-Press.Associated Press.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^"McCall beats Holmes".The Daily Gazette.Associated Press. April 7, 1995.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
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- ^"Spotlight".Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.November 21, 2000.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
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- ^Deegan, Jim (December 19, 2014)."Larry Holmes sells Easton building for $1.7 million, paves way for Internet-business incubator".RetrievedDecember 19,2014.
- ^"Larry Holmes".International Boxing Hall of Fame.RetrievedFebruary 26,2015.
- ^Reaman, Denise (September 25, 1994)."Diane Holmes Wife Of Champion And Mother Of Two Is Happier Away From Celebrity Lights Career".RetrievedJune 26,2015.
- ^Holmes, Larry; Berger, Phil (1998).Larry Holmes: Against the Odds.St. Martin's Press.ISBN9780312187361.
- ^Williams, Andre (December 31, 1999)."A Real Champ".The Morning Call.p. C6.
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- ^"BoxRec: Mark Holmes".boxrec.com.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Boxing record for Larry HolmesfromBoxRec(registration required)
- Larry Holmes profileatInternational Boxing Hall of Fame
- Larry Holmes profileat Cyber Boxing Zone
- Larry Holmes profileArchived2006-05-03 at theWayback MachineatAbout.com,May 1, 2018
- "Larry Holmes: 'Ali Was One of My Best Friends',BoxingInsider,January 8, 2016
- Highlights of Holmes's 1980 defeat of Muhammad Ali
- Documentary Series from History of Boxing – "Larry The Easton Assassin Holmes: Triumph and Tragedy"
- 1949 births
- Living people
- 20th-century African-American sportspeople
- 21st-century African-American sportspeople
- African-American boxers
- American male boxers
- Boxers from Pennsylvania
- International Boxing Federation champions
- International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees
- People from Cuthbert, Georgia
- Sportspeople from Easton, Pennsylvania
- The Ring (magazine) champions
- World Boxing Council champions
- World heavyweight boxing champions