Profile of Larry Holmes on Famous Like Me

Larry Holmes ("The Easton Assassin")
Career Snapshot
Born	November 3, 1949
Died
Total Fights	75
Won	69
Lost	6
Drew	0
Knockouts	44
Titles Won	Heavyweight

Larry Holmes is a former world heavyweight boxing champion considered one of the fiercest fighters in the history of heavyweight boxing.

As heavyweight champion, Holmes won his first 48 professional challenge fights, falling just one short of matching Rocky Marciano's record of 49 consecutive wins to start a career.

Holmes was born in Cuthbert, Georgia, but he has spent the majority of his life living in Easton, Pennsylvania, from which he gained his famous boxing nickname, "The Easton Assassin."

During the early part of his his boxing career in Pennsylvania, Holmes was a sparring partner to then heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, who trained in the state.

Holmes gained credibility as a contender when he upset Earnie Shavers, winning almost every round. This set up a title shot between Holmes and WBC Heavyweight Champion Ken Norton. Holmes won the WBC heavyweight title on June 9, 1978, defeating Norton in 15 rounds. He successfully defended the WBC belt until December 11, 1983, when he voluntarily relinquished that title for the championship of the new International Boxing Federation. Many fans attribute the IBF's early survival to Holmes' involvement as its first heavyweight champion.

Among those he defeated during his career were former world champions, including an aged Ali, Trevor Berbick, Ray Mercer, Ossie Ocasio, Leon Spinks, Mike Weaver and Tim Witherspoon. He also earned victories over well-known non-champions such as Randall Cobb, Gerry Cooney, and Earnie Shavers.

During the 1990s, following his retirement, Holmes made a boxing comeback, winning a decision over undefeated WBO world champion Ray Mercer in a points decision over 12 rounds. He received another world title shot against Evander Holyfield, though he lost that match on a point decision over 12 rounds. He also lost a bitterly close match to Oliver McCall for the WBC World title over 12 rounds. Holmes' other few losses included those to Mike Tyson by knockout in the fourth round, and to Brian Nielsen.

In all, Holmes was one of the most victorious fighters in heavyweight boxing history. He won 69 bouts and lost only six, with 43 wins coming by knockout. As heavyweight champion, Holmes successfully defended the WBC or IBF title 19 times from 1978 to 1985, before losing the IBF crown to Michael Spinks. This loss was particularly galling for Holmes because had he been victorious against Spinks, he would have tied the record of Rocky Marciano in winning 49 professional fights as a champion with no defeats. Holmes was criticized by many for comments he made after the fight, saying that "Rocky Marciano couldn't have carried my jockstrap".

Most feel that Holmes' losses were all the result of Holmes' age. By the time he had his first loss to Michael Spinks, he was 36 years old. Holmes' lack of popularity is attributed to him being the direct successor to Muhammad Ali, one of the most accomplished and most loved heavyweight champions of all time.

Holmes is regarded as having one of, if not the, greatest left jabs in heavyweight boxing history.

External link

Official Web Site

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