Larry Holmes






















































Larry Holmes

Larry Holmes 1996.jpg
Holmes in 1996

Statistics
Nickname(s) The Easton Assassin
Weight(s) Heavyweight
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Reach 81 in (206 cm)
Nationality American
Born
(1949-11-03) November 3, 1949 (age 69)
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. He also holds the record for the longest individual heavyweight title streak in the modern boxing history. Holmes is one of only five boxers—along with Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks and Trevor Berbick—to defeat Muhammad Ali; he is the only one to have stopped Ali.


Holmes won his first 48 professional bouts, including victories over 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 the 334lb 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.




Contents






  • 1 Early life


  • 2 Amateur career


  • 3 Professional career


    • 3.1 Early years


    • 3.2 WBC heavyweight champion: Holmes vs. Norton


    • 3.3 Holmes vs. Cooney


    • 3.4 Trouble with the WBC


    • 3.5 IBF heavyweight champion


    • 3.6 Comebacks




  • 4 Life after boxing


  • 5 Personal life


  • 6 Honors


  • 7 Professional boxing record


  • 8 See also


  • 9 References


  • 10 External links





Early life


Holmes was the fourth of twelve children born to John and Flossie Holmes. After the family moved to Easton in 1954, Holmes' father went to Connecticut. He worked as a gardener there 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 could not 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, 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 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 Muhammad 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 was 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 which 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. 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."[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 would not 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.[citation needed] Holmes had no such arrangement. Lastly, boxing tradition dictates that the champion be 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 20, 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]


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. An elder statesman who had tried for these latter honors, Archie Moore, 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."[23] Despite the assessment, it indeed 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.[24] 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.)[25] 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."[26]


On November 6, 1986, three days after his 37th birthday, Holmes announced his retirement.[27]



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 was knocked out in his career. After the fight, Holmes again retired.[28]


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 12-round unanimous decision.[29] (Holmes later claimed that he fought Mercer in spite of having a detached retina.[30]) 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.[31]


On April 8, 1995, he fought Oliver McCall for 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.[32]


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 to Copenhagen to fight undefeated International Boxing Organization champion Brian Nielsen. Nielsen won by a 12-round split decision to retain the title.[33]


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.[34]


Holmes' next two fights were rematches with old foes. On June 18, 1999, he stopped "Bonecrusher" Smith in eight rounds,[35] and on November 17, 2000, he stopped Mike Weaver in six.[36]


Holmes' final fight was on July 27, 2002 in Norfolk, Virginia. He defeated Eric "Butterbean" Esch by a 10-round unanimous decision.[37]



Life after boxing




Holmes in 2010


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, CEO of Lawyer.com.[40]


In 2016, Holmes guest starred as himself in an episode of 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] Larry's younger brother, middleweight contender Mark Holmes, fought between 1980 and 1987 and had a record of 38 wins and one defeat with 17 knockouts, but never received the opportunity to fight for a world title.[42]



Honors


Holmes was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008.[43]



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
KO
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


See also







  • List of heavyweight boxing champions

  • List of WBC world champions

  • List of IBF world champions

  • List of The Ring world champions

  • List of lineal boxing world champions



References





  1. ^ "10 things to still appreciate about Larry Holmes". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 26, 2015..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}


  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. ^ ab 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. ^ abc Dahlberg, Time (June 30, 2007). "Holmes and Cooney recall divisive fight". USA Today.


  15. ^ abcd 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. Archived from the original on 2016-02-27. Retrieved 2016-02-25.


  17. ^ Pat Putnam (May 30, 1983). "Holmes Really Had a Spoonful". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 26, 2015.


  18. ^ [1][dead link]


  19. ^ Holmes vs Frazier | Holmes Wins in First Round, Boxstat. Retrieved October 31st 2016


  20. ^ [2][dead link]


  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. ^ Liebman, Glenn (1996). Boxing Shorts. Chicago, IL: Contemporary Books, Inc. p. 16. ISBN 0-8092-3216-2.


  24. ^ Pat Putnam (September 30, 1985). "Michael Played the Heavy". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 26, 2015.


  25. ^ "Holmes vs Spinks 2nd Fight Scorecards". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2011-03-28.


  26. ^ Pat Putnam. "Battle of the Ballot". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 26, 2015.


  27. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE – Holmes Retires". New York Times. November 7, 1986. Retrieved February 26, 2015.


  28. ^ "Tyson Batters Holmes in 4 Rounds". Herald-Journal. Associated Press. January 23, 1988. Retrieved February 26, 2015.


  29. ^ Holmes vs Mercer | Holmes Wins a 12 Round Decision, Boxstat. Retrieved October 31, 2016


  30. ^ Press, From Associated (30 December 1992). "Larry Holmes Says He Fought Mercer With a Detached Retina" – via LA Times.


  31. ^ Tim Wahlberg (June 20, 1992). "Holyfield beats Holmes by unanimous decision". The Argus-Press. Associated Press. Retrieved February 26, 2015.


  32. ^ "McCall beats Holmes". The Daily Gazette. Associated Press. April 7, 1995. Retrieved February 26, 2015.


  33. ^ "Holmes loses to Nielsen". Gadsden Times. January 25, 1997. Retrieved February 26, 2015.


  34. ^ "Holmes–Foreman fight reportedly is off". The Free Lance-Star. Associated Press. January 2, 1999. Retrieved February 26, 2015.


  35. ^ "'Bonecrusher' Smith retires". Manila Standard. June 26, 1999. Retrieved February 26, 2015.


  36. ^ "Spotlight". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. November 21, 2000. Retrieved February 26, 2015.


  37. ^ "Holmes Wins". Lakeland Ledger. July 30, 2002. 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. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. 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.


  42. ^ http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/38283


  43. ^ "Larry Holmes". International Boxing Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 26, 2015.




External links











  • Official website


  • Professional boxing record for Larry Holmes from BoxRec


  • Larry Holmes profile at About.com


  • Larry Holmes Q&A at BoxingInsider




















Sporting positions
World boxing 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










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