1970s–2000sAmericanOrthodoxretired
Larry Holmes
“The Easton Assassin”
Record: 69–6 (44 KO)Weight class: HeavyweightBorn: 1949-11-03
Titles & honours
- WBC Heavyweight Champion (1978–1983)
- IBF Heavyweight Champion (1983–1985)
Biography
Larry Holmes, born Cuthbert, Georgia in 1949 and raised in Easton, Pennsylvania, held the heavyweight title for 7 years and 4 months (June 1978 – September 1985) — the longest unified reign between Joe Louis and Wladimir Klitschko. He defended 20 times — one short of Joe Louis's all-time mark — and ran his career record to 48-0 before Michael Spinks's 1985 upset decision. Holmes was the master of the heavyweight jab in his era: long, hard, and ceaseless. The 1980 stoppage of an aging Muhammad Ali was the most painful fight of Holmes's career — he begged the corner to stop it earlier. Retired 2002.