Larry Holmes

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

Holmes in 2010
Statistics
Nickname(s) Easton Assassin
Rated at Heavyweight
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Reach 81 in (206 cm)
Nationality American
Born (1949-11-03) November 3, 1949
Cuthbert, Georgia, U.S.
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 75
Wins 69
Wins by KO 44
Losses 6

Larry Holmes (born November 3, 1949) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1973 to 2002. He grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania, which gave birth to his boxing nickname of the "Easton Assassin".

Holmes, whose left jab is rated among the best in boxing history,[1] held the WBC heavyweight title from 1978 to 1983, The Ring magazine and lineal heavyweight titles from 1980 to 1985,[2] and the inaugural IBF heavyweight title from 1983 to 1985. He made 20 successful title defenses,[3][4] placing him third all time, behind only Joe Louis at 25 and Wladimir Klitschko at 22. Holmes is also one of only five boxers—along with Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks and Trevor Berbick—to defeat Muhammad Ali, but is the only one to have ever stopped Ali.

Holmes won his first 48 professional bouts, including victories over Frazier, Norton, Ali, Earnie Shavers, Mike Weaver, Gerry Cooney, Tim Witherspoon, Carl Williams and Marvis Frazier, and falling one short of matching Rocky Marciano's career record of 49–0 when he lost to Michael Spinks in 1985. Holmes retired after losing a rematch to Spinks the following year, but made repeated comebacks. He was unsuccessful in three further attempts (against Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Oliver McCall) to regain the heavyweight title, the last in 1995. Holmes fought for the final time in 2002, against Eric "Butterbean" Esch, and ended his career with a record of 69 wins and 6 losses.[5] He is frequently ranked as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time[6] and has been inducted into both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of Fame.

Early life

Holmes was the fourth of twelve children born to John and Flossie Holmes. When the family moved to Easton in 1954, Holmes' father went to Connecticut, where he worked as a gardener until his death in 1970. He visited his family every three weeks. "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 quarry.[7]

Amateur career

When Holmes was nineteen, he started boxing. In his twenty-second bout, he boxed Duane Bobick in the 1972 Olympic Trials. 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 couldn't corner him. The referee warned Holmes twice in the second 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.[8]

Professional career

Early years

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 for Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Earnie Shavers, and Jimmy 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-punching Earnie Shavers in 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 and WBC Heavyweight Champion Ken Norton in Las Vegas on June 9, 1978.

WBC heavyweight champion: Holmes vs. Norton

Holmes with the Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Men trophy, 1979

The fight between Holmes and Norton was a tough, competitive fight. After fourteen rounds, all three judges had the fight scored dead even at seven rounds each. Holmes rallied late in the fifteenth to win the round on two scorecards and take the title by a split decision.[7]

In his first two title defenses, Holmes easily knocked out Alfredo Evangelista and Ossie Ocasio. His third title defense was a tough one. On June 22, 1979, Holmes faced future WBA Heavyweight Champion Mike 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."[9]

Three months later, on September 28, 1979, Holmes had a rematch with Shavers, who got a title shot by knocking out Ken 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 stop Shavers in the eleventh.[10]

His next three defenses were knockouts of Lorenzo Zanon, Leroy Jones, and Scott LeDoux.

On October 2, 1980, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Holmes defended his title against Ali, who was coming out of retirement in an attempt to become the first four-time World Heavyweight Champion. Holmes dominated Ali from start to finish, winning every round on every scorecard. At the end of the tenth round, Ali's trainer, Angelo Dundee, stopped the fight. It would be Ali's only loss without "going the distance" for a judges' decision.[11] After the win, Holmes received recognition as World Heavyweight Champion by The Ring magazine.

Ali blamed his poor performance on thyroid medication that he had been taking, claiming that it helped him lose weight (he weighed 217½, his lowest weight since he fought George Foreman in 1974), but it also left him drained for the fight.[12]

Holmes seemed to show signs of regret, or at least sadness, in punishing Ali so much during the fight. He appeared in a post fight interview with tears in his eyes as he was asked why he was crying, replying 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."[13]

After eight consecutive knockouts, Holmes was forced to go the distance when he successfully defended his title against future WBC Heavyweight Champion Trevor Berbick on April 11, 1981. In his next fight, two months later, Holmes knocked out former Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Leon Spinks in three rounds. On November 6, 1981, Holmes rose from a seventh-round knockdown (during which he staggered into the turnbuckle) to stop Renaldo Snipes in the eleventh.

Holmes vs. Cooney

On June 11, 1982, Holmes defended his title against Gerry Cooney, the undefeated #1 contender and an Irish-American. The lead up to the fight had many racial overtones. Holmes said that if Cooney wasn't white, he wouldn't be getting the same purse as the champion (both boxers received $10 million for the bout).[14] Although Cooney tried to deflect questions about race, members of his camp wore shirts that said "Not the White Man, but the Right Man."[14] In their fight previews, Sports Illustrated and Time put Cooney on the cover, not Holmes. President Ronald Reagan had a phone installed in Cooney's dressing room so he could call him if he won the fight. Holmes had no such arrangement. Lastly, boxing tradition dictates that the champion is introduced last, but the challenger, Cooney, was introduced last.[14]

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."[15] 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.[15] 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.[15]

After the fight, Holmes and Cooney became close friends.[15][16]

Trouble with the WBC

Holmes' next two fights were one-sided decision wins over Randall "Tex" Cobb and ex-European champion Lucien Rodriguez. On May 23, 1983, Holmes defended his title against Tim 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.[17] Boxing Monthly named it one of the ten most controversial decisions of all time.

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 fight Marvis Frazier, son of Joe Frazier, on November 25, 1983. The WBC refused to sanction the fight against the unranked Frazier. They ordered Holmes to fight Greg Page, the #1 contender, or be stripped of the title. Promoter Don King offered 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.[18]

Holmes had an easy time with Frazier, knocking him out in the first round.[19] The following month, Holmes relinquished the WBC championship and accepted recognition as World Heavyweight Champion by the newly formed International Boxing Federation.[20]

IBF heavyweight champion

Holmes signed to fight Gerrie Coetzee, the WBA Champion, on June 15, 1984 at Caesar's Palace. The fight was being promoted by JPD Inc., but it was canceled when Caesar's 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.[21] 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.[22]

On November 9, 1984, after a year out of the ring, Holmes made his first defense of the IBF title, stopping James "Bonecrusher" Smith on a cut in the twelfth round. In the first half of 1985, Holmes stopped David Bey in ten rounds for his 19th title defense. His next against Carl "The Truth" Williams was 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.

On September 21, 1985, Holmes stepped in the ring looking to equal Rocky Marciano's 49-0 career record and to make his twentieth successful title defense. His opponent was looking to make history as well. After winning the undisputed championship at light heavyweight, Michael Spinks decided to move up in weight and try to become the second fighter after Bob Fitzsimmons to win titles at both light heavyweight and heavyweight. It would be Spinks whose historical destiny would be fulfilled, albeit controversially, as he defeated Holmes via unanimous decision to become the first reigning light heavyweight champion to win the heavyweight title.[23] 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: Judge Joe Cortez 144–141 (Holmes), Judge Frank Brunette 141–144 (Spinks) and Judge Jerry Roth 142–144 (Spinks.)[24] In a post-fight interview with HBO, 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."[25]

On November 6, 1986, three days after his 37th birthday, Holmes announced his retirement.[26]

Comebacks

On January 22, 1988, Holmes was lured out of retirement by a $2.8 million purse to challenge reigning Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Mike 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 would be knocked out in his lengthy career. After the fight, Holmes once again retired.[27]

Holmes returned to the ring in 1991 and became a much more active fighter, usually fighting on USA Tuesday Night Fights cards every few weeks against up and comers and journeymen. After five straight wins, he fought Ray Mercer, the undefeated 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist, on February 7, 1992. Holmes pulled off the upset and won by a twelve-round unanimous decision.[28] (Holmes later claimed that he fought Mercer in spite of having a detached retina.[29]) The win got Holmes a shot at Evander Holyfield for the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship. On June 19, 1992, Holyfield defeated Holmes by a twelve-round unanimous decision.[30]

On April 8, 1995, he fought Oliver McCall for the WBC title. Holmes lost by a close twelve-round unanimous decision. Two of the judges had him losing by only one point, while the other judge had him losing by three points.[31]

Holmes was back in the ring five months later, resuming the pace he had set since his comeback. However, an aging former champion 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 one last opportunity to fight for a heavyweight championship when he traveled to Copenhagen to fight undefeated International Boxing Organization champion Brian Nielsen. Nielsen won by a twelve-round split decision to retain the International Boxing Organization title.[32]

Holmes and George Foreman signed to fight on January 23, 1999 at the Houston Astrodome. 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.[33]

Holmes' next two fights were rematches with old foes. On June 18, 1999, he stopped "Bonecrusher" Smith in eight rounds,[34] and on November 17, 2000, he stopped Mike Weaver in six.[35]

Holmes' final fight was on July 27, 2002 in Norfolk, Virginia. He defeated Eric "Butterbean" Esch by a ten-round unanimous decision.[36]

Honors

Holmes was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008.[37]

Life after boxing

Holmes invested the money he earned from boxing and settled in his hometown of Easton. 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.[38] Holmes currently co-hosts a talk show What The Heck Were They Thinking?[39]

In 2014, Holmes sold his business complex in Easton to business entrepreneur Gerald Gorman.[40]

In 2016 Larry Holmes guest starred as himself in an episode of the Mike Tyson Mysteries titled "Unsolved Situations".

Personal life

Larry Holmes married his wife, Diane, in 1979. Together they have had two children, Kandy Holmes and Larry Holmes Jr.[41] He has two brothers, Robert Holmes and Mark Holmes.

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
75 fights 69 wins 6 losses
By knockout 44 1
By decision 25 5
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
75 Win 69–6 Eric 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 For IBO 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 Jose 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, IBF, and lineal 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 TKO 4 (12), 2:55 Jan 22, 1988 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. For WBA, 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, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
49 Loss 48–1 Michael Spinks UD 15 Sep 21, 1985 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Lost IBF, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
48 Win 48–0 Carl Williams UD 15 May 20, 1985 Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBF, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
47 Win 47–0 David Bey TKO 10 (15), 2:58 Mar 15, 1985 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBF, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
46 Win 46–0 James Smith TKO 12 (15), 2:10 Nov 9, 1984 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBF, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
45 Win 45–0 Marvis Frazier TKO 1 (12), 2:57 Nov 25, 1983 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
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, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
43 Win 43–0 Tim Witherspoon SD 12 May 20, 1983 Dunes, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
42 Win 42–0 Lucien Rodriguez UD 12 Mar 27, 1983 Watres Armory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. Retained WBC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
41 Win 41–0 Randall Cobb UD 15 Nov 26, 1982 Astrodome, Houston, Texas, U.S. Retained WBC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
40 Win 40–0 Gerry Cooney TKO 13 (15), 2:52 Jun 11, 1982 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
39 Win 39–0 Renaldo Snipes TKO 11 (15), 1:05 Nov 6, 1981 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Retained WBC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
38 Win 38–0 Leon Spinks TKO 3 (15), 2:34 Jun 12, 1981 Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Retained WBC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
37 Win 37–0 Trevor Berbick UD 15 Apr 11, 1981 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
36 Win 36–0 Muhammad Ali RTD 10 (15), 3:00 Oct 2, 1980 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC heavyweight title;
Won vacant The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
35 Win 35–0 Scott LeDoux TKO 7 (15), 2:05 Jul 7, 1980 Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S. Retained WBC heavyweight 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. Won WBC 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 USS Lexington, 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 Jan 10, 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. Professional debut

Titles in boxing

World titles
Preceded by
Ken Norton		 WBC heavyweight champion
June 9, 1978 – December 11, 1983
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Tim Witherspoon
Vacant
Title last held by
Muhammad Ali		 The Ring heavyweight champion
October 10, 1980 – September 21, 1985 		Succeeded by
Michael Spinks
Lineal heavyweight champion
October 10, 1980 – September 21, 1985
Inaugural champion
awarded title		 IBF heavyweight champion
December 11, 1983 – September 21, 1985

See also

References

  1. ↑ "10 things to still appreciate about Larry Holmes". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Larry Holmes". Cyber Boxing Zone. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  3. ↑ "Larry Holmes". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  4. ↑ "The Bryan Times". News.google.com. Retrieved 2016-02-25 – via Google News Archive Search.
  5. ↑ "Larry Holmes – Boxer". boxrec.com. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Boxing: Historians Rankings of The Great Heavyweights". tripod.com. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  7. 1 2 Pat Putnam (November 6, 1978). "Don't Hate 'em Just Hit 'em". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Bobick Captures Olympic Berth". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Weaver hurts Holmes before bowing in 12". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. June 23, 1979. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  10. ↑ Will Grimsley (September 29, 1979). "Holmes Wins Wild Brawl". The Argus-Press. Associated Press. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Doom In The Desert". Sports Illustrated. October 13, 1980. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Ali Reportedly Used Drug to Lose Weight". The Pittsburgh Press. UPI. October 6, 1980. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  13. ↑ Video on YouTube
  14. 1 2 3 Dahlberg, Time (June 30, 2007). "Holmes and Cooney recall divisive fight". USA Today.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Tallent, Aaron (June 9, 2006). "Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney". TheSweetScience.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009.
  16. ↑ "Larry Holmes and Gerry Cooney: Foes for a Night, Friends for a Lifetime | Boxing 101 | Sports Media 101". Worldboxing101.com. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  17. ↑ Pat Putnam (May 30, 1983). "Holmes Really Had a Spoonful". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  18. ↑
  19. ↑ Holmes vs Frazier | Holmes Wins in First Round, Boxstat. Retrieved October 31st 2016
  20. ↑
  21. ↑ "On Again, Off Again Fight May Be On Again". Times Daily. July 3, 1984. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Holmes signs for title fight in November". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. September 19, 1984. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  23. ↑ Pat Putnam (September 30, 1985). "Michael Played the Heavy". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Holmes vs Spinks 2nd Fight Scorecards". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
  25. ↑ Pat Putnam. "Battle of the Ballot". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  26. ↑ "SPORTS PEOPLE – Holmes Retires". New York Times. November 7, 1986. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Tyson Batters Holmes in 4 Rounds". Herald-Journal. Associated Press. January 23, 1988. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  28. ↑ Holmes vs Mercer | Holmes Wins a 12 Round Decision, Boxstat. Retrieved October 31 2016
  29. ↑ http://articles.latimes.com/1992-12-30/sports/sp-2553_1_larry-holmes
  30. ↑ Tim Wahlberg (June 20, 1992). "Holyfield beats Holmes by unanimous decision". The Argus-Press. Associated Press. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  31. ↑ "McCall beats Holmes". The Daily Gazette. Associated Press. April 7, 1995. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Holmes loses to Nielsen". Gadsden Times. January 25, 1997. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Holmes–Foreman fight reportedly is off". The Free Lance-Star. Associated Press. January 2, 1999. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  34. ↑ "'Bonecrusher' Smith retires". Manila Standard. June 26, 1999. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Spotlight". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. November 21, 2000. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  36. ↑ "Holmes Wins". Lakeland Ledger. July 30, 2002. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  37. ↑ "Larry Holmes". International Boxing Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  38. ↑ Hart, Colin (May 15, 2008). "Holmes Sweet Holmes". The Sun. London. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
  39. ↑ Satterfield, Lem (October 28, 2009). "Larry Holmes: ESPN Documentary 'Didn't Do Me Justice'". AOLNews. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  40. ↑ Deegan, Jim (December 19, 2014). "Larry Holmes sells Easton building for $1.7 million, paves way for Internet-business incubator". Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  41. ↑ Reaman, Denise (September 25, 1994). "Diane Holmes Wife Of Champion And Mother Of Two Is Happier Away From Celebrity Lights Career.". Retrieved June 26, 2015.
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Awards
Previous:
Ken Norton		 BWAA Fighter of the Year
1978 		Next:
Sugar Ray Leonard
Previous:
Sugar Ray Leonard
and
Salvador Sánchez		 The Ring Fighter of the Year
1982 		Next:
Marvin Hagler
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