Larry Holmes: 75 Years, 75 Fights

One of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time, Larry Holmes celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday in November, coinciding with the 75 professional fights he had during his career as a professional.

A career that spanned from 1973 to 2002. WBC champion from 1978 to 1983. As champion, he made 20 successful defenses. Only Wladimir Klitschko with twenty-two and Joe Louis with twenty-five, had more defenses.

If ever there was a boxer driven by ambition, it was Larry. That desire to prove the doubters wrong. Those who felt his legs were too thin and he didn’t have enough stamina to be effective over the full distance of a championship fight.

Larry proved everyone completely wrong and, in the process, showed the world what an extraordinary boxer and brave man he was and will forever be.

Larry faced Mike Weaver, James “Bonecrusher” Smith, Gerry Cooney, Oliver McCall, Evander Holyfield, Tim Witherspoon and Ray Mercer. But the fights that truly define him are these:

The titanic war with Ken Norton for the WBC Championship. After fourteen incredible and grueling rounds of non-stop fighting, the two were still
locked in a great duel.

It was pure all-or-nothing heavyweight drama in those final three minutes. Norton brought out literally everything he had left and attacked. It looked like he was going to go through the victory post. But then somehow Larry countered with a titanic effort.

Aware that they were witnessing true greatness, the crowd, which included Sylvester Stallone, Chevy Chase and Roberto Duran, rose to their feet and cheered. Both were fighting at top speed and with no strength, but Larry had the advantage, winning on two of the three judges’ scorecards.

When the final bell rang, Kenny congratulated Larry on a great fight.

Even greater tests followed. A rematch with Earnie Shavers tested Larry’s mettle in the fiery furnace. After six rounds, Larry was connected with a powerful, explosive right hand from Earnie.

Holmes rose incredibly, stopping Earnie in the eleventh round.

The knockdown courtesy of Renaldo Snipes – same punch, same round – was even more shocking. When he rose at the count of four, Larry leaned forward, staggering toward the ropes.

Renaldo lunged forward again, looking to finish a wounded foe. But then something amazing happened. Larry took advantage of his great nerve and began to fight back!

The referee stopped the fight in the eleventh round, when he landed a tremendous right to Renaldo’s head and then followed with a barrage of punches.

Gerry Cooney was knocked down in the second round, but he got up and kept fighting until the thirteenth, when Larry overwhelmed him and Gerry’s trainer, Victor Valle, humanely stopped the fight. Since then, Larry and Gerry became friends.

Fighting an opponent in this way always creates a bond. It often leads to mutual respect.

Then there was the pain and tears of having to fight and defeat Muhammad Ali, who was at the end of his career. When he was eighteen, Larry had been Ali’s training partner helping him prepare for important fights.

Anyone who has followed Larry Holmes’ career knows his greatness, but also his guts. As Larry has said, “My fans know the name Larry Holmes and they know that he always gave it his all.”

Larry also reflected, “I always felt good about myself. I was a normal person. I always felt like I could do anything that anyone else could do. If a normal person decides to do something… they can do it!
Happy 75th Champ!