Larry Holmes

Larry Holmes ( born November 3, 1949 in Cuthbert, Georgia, United States ) is a retired American boxer. He is considered one of the best heavyweight boxer, especially as one of the best Jabber all time.

Amateur

His record was 18-3. He was defeated in the 1972 Olympic excretion Duane Bobick.

Professional

Holmes gave his 1973 debut fight in professional boxing. He achieved his first major success in March 1978 with a high point victory over the hard puncher Earnie Shavers, which he did obtain the right to fight for the WBC World Championship. On 9 June 1978, he won this title in one of the most spectacular fights of boxing history by a narrow points victory against Ken Norton. In the following years he ( even the though almost 40 years ) defended this item sixteen times successfully, among other things, against Muhammad Ali, once again against Earnie Shavers (which he in the 11th round defeated this time by KO ), Leon Spinks, Gerry Cooney, Trevor Berbick, Mike Weaver and Tim Witherspoon. 1983 Holmes put his WBC title to voluntarily to take the world title of the newly formed IBF fight.

Holmes defended the IBF belt against James Smith, David Bey and Carl Williams before he was beaten surprisingly on 21 September 1985 by the also undefeated Michael Spinks just on points. Spinks, who punched to date in the light heavyweight and there was sovereign Champion, Holmes added after 48 victories not only its first defeat, but prevented the same time that this stopped the record of Rocky Marciano, to cede victory after 49 fights. Some journalists suspected, therefore, that by the controversial point verdict in favor Spinks the leveling of Marciano record should be prevented. After Holmes also lost the rematch against Spinks points just after he announced his retirement from boxing.

Holmes tried several times thereafter a comeback, but was no longer champion. On January 22, 1988, he succumbed to the new world champion Mike Tyson by KO clear in round four; This was the only knockout loss in his nearly 30 - year professional career.

In June 1992 saw Holmes, now 42 years old, a new attempt to regain the world title, and defeated Evander Holyfield on points. Previously, he had prevailed against Ray Mercer. His last title fight lost Holmes in April 1995 just on points against the WBC titleholder Oliver McCall, who had surprisingly defeated Lennox Lewis. 1997 Holmes lost by not controversial unanimous decision against undefeated up to this point Dane Brian Nielsen.

1999, a fight against almost a year older George Foreman was planned, who had in 1994 made ​​a comeback as a world champion. However, Foreman said ( allegedly under pressure from his wife ) from this fight. Larry Holmes denied still fighting for the so-called " Legends of boxing " - heavyweight titles, including against his former championship opponent James Smith and Mike Weaver, who he defeated again.

His last boxing match wore Holmes 2002 at the age of 52 years against " Butterbean " Esch Eric from whom he defeated on points over ten rounds. Holmes had previously the three- hundredweight man who held the ominous title of " super heavyweight world champion," agreed the sporting reputation and called him a " circus act ". Of felt Esch supposedly so offended that he challenged Holmes for battle. In this he was, however, against the ex world champion fighting a losing battle, only in the last round fell Holmes in distress and was down for the count, although he was hit neither went to the ground, but merely lost his balance.

2008 Holmes met induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.