Former long time WBC and IBF World Heavyweight Champion, "The Easton Assassin" Larry Holmes returns to the ring to challenge the reigning Unified World Heavyweight Champion, "Iron" Mike Tyson.
Larry Holmes is one of the all time great heavyweight boxers of the 70's and 80's however he was often over shadowed by both Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson so does not get the recognition he deserves. Having turned pro in 1973, Larry went undefeated in his first 26 fights earning a WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator bout against Earnie Shavers in 1978. After beating Shavers by a unanimous near shut out 12 round decision, Larry went on to beat Ken Norton by split decision to win the WBC World Heavyweight title. 3 months after Larry became WBC Champion, Muhammad Ali would win the WBA World Heavyweight title back from Leon Spinks and become the first ever 3 x World heavyweight Champion taking some of the shine off Larry's achievement. Muhammad Ali would retire just 1 month later giving the spotlight back to Larry who went on to defend his WBC title against European Heavyweight Champion Alfredo Evangelista, USBA Heavyweight Champion Mike Weaver, European Heavyweight Champion Lorenzo Zanon and NABF Heavyweight Champion Leroy Jones among others. In 1980 Muhammad Ali made the ill fated decision to return to the ring and challenged Larry for the world title. Larry pummeled Ali into retirement over 10 brutal rounds. Over the next 3 years Larry would successfully defend his WBC title against every top ranked challenger put in front of him but in 1983 Larry accepted the challenge of a young unranked Marvis Frazier. Although Marvis would not be able to win the WBC World Heavyweight title, Larry was told if he were to lose then the title would be stripped from him. Larry demolished Frazier in 1 round and relinquished his WBC title to accept recognition as World Champion for the newly-created International Boxing Federation (IBF). In 1985 Larry stepped in the ring against the undefeated WBC, WBA & IBF World Light Heavyweight Champion Michael Spinks. Spinks would pull off the upset of the year when he beat Larry over 15 rounds to become the new IBF World Heavyweight Champion, the first loss of Larry's career! Spinks would beat Larry again in a rematch prompting Larry to take a 2 year break from the ring before he attempted a comeback against Tyson. Larry at the time still had a very impressive 48-2 record.
Mike Tyson had turned pro in 1985 and quickly made headlines with his knockout power and almost immediate TV coverage. In 1986 Tyson won the WBC World Heavyweight title followed by the WBA version in 1987. Michael Spinks was stripped of the IBF Heavyweight title in 1987 and later picked up by Tony Tucker whom Mike Tyson would beat just 3 months later to become the first ever unified World Heavyweight Champion as he now held the WBC, WBA and IBF versions of the belt. Tyson was at his peak when he entered the ring against Holmes and was undefeated in 32 fights.
Larry may have had the height and reach advantage, but Tyson was 17 years younger and hit harder and faster than anybody Holmes had fought before. The styles were very contrasting and I often look at this fight as being the bridge between the old school and new school style of boxing. Larry was constantly retreating and tying Tyson up as he got in close, possibly hoping to take Tyson into the later rounds and tire him out, but the constant pressure from Tyson finally caught up to the aging Larry Holmes who was knocked out in the 4th round following 3 knockdowns.
If people thought Larry was going to retire following the one sided beating he took they were wrong. In 1991 Larry surprisingly returned to the ring and picked up 6 wins in a row culminating with a 12 round decision win over Ray Mercer. In 1992 Larry unsuccessfully challenged Evander Holyfield for the World Heavyweight title before going on another winning streak. In 1995 Larry challenged WBC Heavyweight Champion Oliver McCall but came up short again over 12 rounds. In 1997 Holmes came very close to beating IBO World Heavyweight Champion Brian Nielsen, but lost a controversial split decision. Larry's final fight took place in 2002 when he beat Eric "Butterbean" Esch over 10 rounds at the ripe old age of 52! He retired with a 69-6 record.
