Larry Holmes | Bio, Net Worth, Life Style, Age, And Many More
Larry Holmes, a former street fighter, began boxing at a youth center in Easton, Pennsylvania. Before going professional at the age of 24, he won 19 of his 22 contests and multiple titles. He sparred with both competing heavyweight champions, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, in the mid-1970s. With these two great heavyweights in the mix, Holmes struggled to establish himself as a top-tier fighter and found it difficult to land top-tier fights.
From 1973 through 1978, Holmes won 28 straight fights, culminating in a 15-round decision against defending champion Ken Norton for the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title on June 9, 1978. Between 1978 and 1983, Holmes defended the title 17 times, defeating boxers like Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks, and Gerry Cooney. On October 2, 1980, Holmes faced the legendary Ali, who was making a comeback at the age of 38. Holmes triumphed in 11 rounds, establishing himself as the world heavyweight champion. The fight, on the other hand, was emotionally draining for Holmes. He considered Ali to be a good friend, and this battle, which took place after Ali’s heyday, forced Holmes to defeat, no, pummelled, his instructor.
In 1983, Holmes lost his WBC title because of persistent issues with boxing promoter Don King. Nevertheless, the International Boxing Federation always believed him to be the heavyweight champ, and he supported it three times before relinquishing it to Michael Spinks in a 15-round conclusion on September 21, 1985. Holmes retired following his first loss in 49 fights, preventing him from surpassing Rocky Marciano’s career record of 49-0.
In 1986, Holmes came out of retirement only to lose a rematch to Michael Spinks. In 1988, he returned to the ring to face heavyweight champion Mike Tyson; the fight was stopped in the fourth round after Holmes had suffered three early knockdowns. After conquering antagonist Ray Mercer in 1992, Holmes progressed to the championship fight against Evander Holyfield, whom he conquered in a conclusion.
Holmes challenged Oliver McCall for the WBC heavyweight title on April 8, 1995, but was defeated in 12 rounds. Holmes defeated Brian Nielsen for the International Boxing Organisation heavyweight title on January 24, 1997, after winning his following four fights. Holmes left boxing in 2002 with a record of 69 victories (44 by knockout) and 6 losses. In 2008, he was inducted into the Most Famous International Boxing Big Hall of Fame.
Check This Out: Gilbert Rozon