Larry Holmes in Twilight
By Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media Correspondent
*All Photos Copyright Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media, All Rights Reserved
Easton, PA– At age 63, Larry Holmes still believes he was a better heavyweight boxer than all the rest. Holmes, who fought between 1973 and 2002, a 29 year span, had a career record of 69-6 with 44 knockouts. Holmes held the World Boxing Council Heavyweight title from 1978 to 1983, and the International Boxing Federation Heavyweight title from 1984 to 1985. Holmes won 20 championship fights in a row between 1978 and 1985, then lost six championship fights between 1985 and 1997.
Holmes won his last four bouts, retiring at age 52 after decisioning Butter AKA Eric Esch in a ten rounder in July 2002. A planned bout with George Foreman never materialized. After 11 years in retirement from the ring, Larry Holmes is in twilight. Not quite forgotten, not quite not, not quiet missed, his career and life still somewhat misunderstood. Both Polish light heavyweight Dariusz Michalzewski and Larry Holmes came within one win of tying the late Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 unblemished record, both only to then lose and subsequently get stopped, preserving The Brockton Blockbuster’s record for all eternity……..or, in the least, for now.
Before the sun sets on Larry Holmes, The Easton Assassin, like it has on Emmanuel Steward, Bert Sugar, Angelo Dundee, Smokin’ Joe Frazier, Carmen Basilio and so many others whose names defined the boxing game, there’s one universal common denominator thread commonly overlooked by boxing experts who evaluate Holmes career and bout performances.
Holmes won the WBC Heavyweight title by decisioning Ken Norton by a 15 round split decision on June 6, 1978, at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. Norton was awarded his title when Leon Spinks chose to defend the World Boxing Association Heavyweight title against Muhammad Ali instead of fighting Norton, then number one contender. Norton did not win his title in the ring. In other words, Ken Norton was a fighter who did won the WBC Heavyweight title of paper, not by combat.
Translated, Larry Holmes won the WBC’s version of the World Heavyweight title by defeating a defending champion who did NOT win his world title in the ring.
Against world champions who did win their title in the ring by fighting for it and winning it, Larry Holmes was 0 for 6. These losses include: losing a pair of 15 round decisions to undefeated World Light heavyweight and Heavyweight champion Michael Spinks in 1985 and 1986; getting stopped in the fourth round by undefeated World Heavyweight champion Iron Mike Tyson in 1988; losing a 12 round decision to undefeated World Heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield in 1992; losing a 12 round decision to World Heavyweight champion Oliver McCall in 1995; and losing a 12 round decision to IBO World Heavyweight champion Brian Nielsen in 1997.
The combined records of five of the six champions Holmes lost to at the time he fought them was 145-0. Oliver McCall’s record at the time Holmes lost to him was a respectable 25-5. Discounting the age factor, this brings into play the quality of the opposition when Holmes fought them, and also whether or not the scoring favored the defending champions in extremely close bouts, which Holmes bouts always were.
Beyond statistics, Larry Holmes will probably be remembered as the most consistent heavyweight champion since Joe Louis, in terms of the number of title defenses. Unlike Louis (who was broke), Holmes invested wisely in business ventures and Real Estate, particularly in the vicinity of his native Easton, Pennsylvania.
Holmes recently reopened his Champ’s Corner Bar & Grill in Easton at 91 Larry Holmes Drive, at the site of the former Larry Holmes Ringside Restaurant & Lounge which served diners from 1995 to 2011. The champ’s burger features two 8 ounce burgers with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, hot peppers and cheese of your choice. Or diners can try the deep friend and breaded buffalo and champ wings.
Most days Larry hangs out there, watching his old fights played on the television.
These days, life consists of wife, children, grandchildren, and eating champ burgers.
The more adventurous can even buy the building from Larry for 2.6 million dollars!
For Champ’s Corner Bar & Grill operating hours and more information, go to www.http://www.larryholmes.com/Champs_Corner.html
DONATE TO THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE SANDY : www.redcross.org/donate
HELP STOP WORLD HUNGER: www.realcombatmedia.com/rcm-stop-world-hunger
LEARN HOW TO FIGHT, WORKOUT & IMPROVE ENDURANCE: RCM MMA & BOXING STORE
We are always looking for new talent for the fastest growing US and UK based, Combat website. We have openings for the following positions – Internet Sales Advertising, Boxing Correspondents, MMA Correspondents and voluntary Radio Correspondents. There are also plenty of advertising and sponsorship opportunities available on our website for your business. If you are a career minded individual and serious about starting a career or continuing your career in combat journalism, our contacts are below.
RCM Main contact: [email protected]
RCM UK & Ireland contact: [email protected]
RCM Greece contact: [email protected]
RCM Radio contact: [email protected]
RCM Radio contact: [email protected]
RCM MMA contact: [email protected]
RCM UK Advertising contact: [email protected]
RCM MMA Advertising contact: [email protected] 
Add us to your circle on GOOGLE PLUS Real Combat Media
COMMENTS
English
Yes this is true Mr.Larry Holmes was the real greatest Heavyweight Champion in ring history !!!