The Easton Assassin Larry Holmes has proved that hard work and discipline will guide you towards your life goals and monetary security. The “Champ” was born in Cuthbert, Georgia and moved a few years later to Easton, Pennsylvania. Larry’s life ambitions at the time were to be able to survive poverty and help out his family which included nine brothers and three sisters. Larry dropped out of school at 7th grade to be able to financially help his mom and siblings. Through hard work and discipline Larry was able to turn his life around to become financially secure. At the age of 19, Larry Holmes started an amateur boxing career (19 wins and 3 losses) that would prove that he had a talent for boxing. In 1971 at the age of 22, Larry had the opportunity to work with Muhammad Ali as a sparring partner. Two years later ,Larry would turn professional. In the interim Larry learned his trade by working with great fighters as Joe Frazier, Earnie Shavers, and Jimmy Young while fighting on their cards. Larry’s winning record inched him closer to allow him an opportunity to fight for the Heavyweight Title. Holmes was known as a late starter in the ring, but proved to his critics that he had the skills and ring savvy to become one of the greatest Heavyweight fighters of all time. Larry won the WBC Heavyweight Title in a toe to toe 15 round battle against Ken Norton in 1978 at the age of 29. His ability and heart that night demonstrated that Larry Holmes was not going away. Larry’s signature jab would be a part of boxing history and a model for future fighters to follow and emulate.
Larry never turned down a fight throughout his career, and always looking to keep busy. His record will show that he fought an average of five times a year with one year being nine times throughout the world. Larry fought great fighters such as Earnie Shavers, Mike Weaver, Tim Witherspoon, Leon Spinks, Gerry Cooney, Tex Cobb..while holding onto the title for over 7 years with 48 straight professional wins and 20 consecutive title fights. The Champs “title was lost in a controversial decision to Michael Spinks in September of 1985. Larry’s record still stands today (48 consecutive wins with 20 title defenses) next to great boxing legends as Rocky Marciano and Joe Louis.
In 1988 Larry fought Mike Tyson. Even though, Larry was enjoying retirement and left the rigors of boxing, he still took the challenge without the proper training time. A few years later the promoters and fans demanded Larry’s return to fight at the age of 40. Larry Holmes’ next comeback would be on the USA NETWORK- “TUESDAY NIGHT FIGHTS”. The next few years, Larry fought five times a year on USA NETWORK to allow him another shot at the title. After his win against Ray Mercer, which surprised all critics, Larry fought Evander Holyfield for the Heavyweight Championship Title. Larry went the distance with Holyfield, but lost the decision.
In the 1990’s, Larry fought 24 fights including 2 title fights with 21 wins at an age when most fighters would never think about returning to the ring. Larry Holmes fought the odds and won. His career and accomplishments will always be a part of our history for all to see that honest hard work and discipline will put you on the path to success.
Books and Articles
- Larry Holmes autobiography “AGAINST THE ODDS” (St. Martin’s Press).
Career Highlights
- World Heavyweight Boxing Champion – 1978 – 1985
- Worked with or fought against fighting greats such as: Muhammad Ali; Joe Frazier, Earnie Shavers, Jimmy Young; Ken Norton; Mike Weaver; Tim Witherspoon; Leon Spinks; Gerry Cooney; Tex Cobb; Michael Spinks; Mike Tyson; and Evander Holyfield.
- Larry’s record still stands today (48 consecutive wins with 20 title defenses) next to great boxing legends as Rocky Marciano and Joe Louis.
