Boxing World Celebrates as Heavyweight Legend Larry Holmes Turns 74

Larry Holmes turns 74 today. The fighter locates himself in an era that came shortly after the glories of Muhammad Ali, and right before the likes of Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. He became the segway between the two golden periods in boxing. However, it would not be an exaggeration to say that his career was subject to dissolution amongst it all, making him one of the most overlooked fighters ever.

He rose to global fame when he defeated Ken Norton to become the WBC heavyweight champion in 1978. From then, he went on to defend the title 20 times. Yet, in a period when the heavyweight class peaked, Holmes was hardly known for his achievements. Today, years later, fans have emerged to acknowledge his contributions to the sport.

Fans remember the prowess of Larry Holmes

Larry Holmes hung his gloves in the year 2002. It was right after he registered his last victory against Eric Esch through a unanimous decision. By the time the knell of his career had dawned, ‘The Easton Assassin’ had already fought 75 bouts, winning 69 of them with 44 of them through knockouts. A huge chunk of his victories are rooted in a period when the fighter was on a streak of landslide victories. He defeated the likes of Mike Weaver (1979), Tim Witherspoon (1983), and Gerry Cooney (1982). After having been subjected to an erasure of sorts for so long, Holmes finds his recognition.

Today, the boxing realm stands on the brink of complete scrutiny of the heavyweight class. A striking contrast to Holmes’ times when the weight class dominated the sport. Garnering the majority of such criticism is the WBC heavyweight champ, Tyson Fury.

The fighter has come under the scanner for his performance against former UFC champ Francis Ngannou. The former won the fight through a split decision. A fan placed a prime Holmes in comparison to today’s Fury and predicted the domination of the ‘Easton Assasin’.

After having lost his WBA, WBC, and IBF Heavyweight Championships to Mike Tyson in 1988, the fighter worked his prowess yet again to win it. In 1995, 45-year-old Holmes got to do so against Oliver McCall. However, his efforts were in vain as McCall continued his reign as the champion. A fan placed him alongside the then 45-year-old George Foreman. Foreman managed to pull off the feat against Michael Moorer in 1994 to become the heavyweight champion again.

The X post is an excerpt from Holmes’s fight against Ray Mercer from 1992. In an absolute domination in the ring that night, Holmes defeated Mercer through a unanimous decision. A fan narrates the fight, having witnessed it in real time.

Another fan echoed the praises in favor of Holmes, counting him in an era of legends.

Another user mentioned the disservice and disrespect that the fighter was subjected to throughout his career.

Sadly, when Holmes retired from the sport, the dust settled on his career too. But his trilogy fight against ‘The Greatest of All Time’ Ali still stands fresh in memories.

The Rise and Fall and Rise of Holmes

It was 1985 when Holmes’ unbeaten record collapsed. Holmes went on to defend his IBF heavyweight title against the attack of Michael Spinks. He lost the title through a unanimous decision. Two years later, he exploded out of his exile from the ring yet again. He went against the rising phantom of the sport, Mike Tyson. He failed to resist the power of Tyson and lost through a knockout in the fourth round. Four years later, he came back again. This time against Tim Anderson. However, his prowess supported his jabs to reopen his account of victories.

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This comeback lasted eleven years. He went against rising fighters and won against most of them. The new chapter in his boxing career showed a striking resemblance to his peak days. Yet, there was one thing that was not in his corner- a world title. After having lost his chance to bag the WBC title in 1995, it was clear that his progress in the ring was limited. His global domination was at an end. Today, in his 74th year, a new generation in the boxing world has emerged. Yet, his jabs still echo in the arenas he once dominated and his long illustrious career still remains a difficult prospect for most fighters to match today.

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