Larry Holmes

Larry Holmes was born on November 3, 1949, in Cuthbert, Georgia. His family later moved to Easton, Pennsylvania, where he acquired the nickname “The Easton Assassin.” Holmes began his boxing career at 18. He turned professional on March 21, 1973, with a victory over Rodell Dupree. Early in his career, Holmes gained valuable experience as a sparring partner for prominent boxers such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Earnie Shavers, and Jimmy Young. He earned credibility as a contender by defeating Earnie Shavers in March 1978, leading to his WBC Heavyweight Championship fight.

On June 9, 1978, Holmes defeated Ken Norton by a split decision to win the WBC Heavyweight Championship. He successfully defended this title multiple times, including significant victories over Muhammad Ali in 1980, where Ali’s trainer stopped the fight in the tenth round, marking Ali’s only career stoppage defeat. Holmes also defeated Gerry Cooney in 1982 in a highly publicized bout. After relinquishing the WBC title, he became the inaugural IBF Heavyweight Champion in 1983. In 1985, Holmes lost to Michael Spinks, ending his undefeated streak of 48 professional bouts, just one short of Rocky Marciano’s record of 49-0.

Holmes retired in 1986 but made several comebacks. He challenged Mike Tyson in 1988, Evander Holyfield in 1992, and Oliver McCall in 1995 for various heavyweight titles, although he was unsuccessful in these attempts. His final professional fight was in 2002 against Eric “Butterbean” Esch, concluding his career with a record of 69 wins and 6 losses. Holmes was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008 and has invested in various business holdings in his hometown of Easton, Pennsylvania.