Larry Holmes

Larry Holmes (born November 3, 1949), former world Heavyweight champion who won his first 48 professional fights, threatening to break Rocky Marciano's record of the most fights undefeated for a world champion (49-0).

Holmes was born in Cuthbert, Georgia but has spend the majority of his life living in Easton, Pennsylvania.

He spent the early part of his boxing career as a sparring partner to then Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali.

Holmes won the WBC Heavyweight title on 09 June 1978 by defeating Ken Norton over 15 rounds. He successfully defended the WBC belt until 11 December 1983, when he relinquished that title for the championship of the new International Boxing Federation. Many fans attribute the IBF's early survival to Holmes' involvement as its first Heavyweight champion.

Among those he defeated during his career were former world champions such as Muhammad Ali, Trevor Berbick, Ray Mercer, Ossie Ocasio, Leon Spinks, Mike Weaver and Tim Witherspoon. He also earned victories over well-known non-champions such as Gerry Cooney, Randall Cobb and Earnie Shavers.

During the 90's he made a comeback, beating the then recently stripped former WBO world champion and undefeated Ray Mercer on a points decision over 12 rounds. He received another world title shot against Evander Holyfield which he lost on a point decision over 12 rounds. He also lost a bitterly close match to Oliver McCall for the WBC World title over 12 rounds. Holmes also lost to Mike Tyson, by knockout in round four, and to Brian Nielsen.

In all, Holmes won 69 bouts against 6 losses, with 43 knockout wins. He defended the WBC or IBF title 19 times from 1978 to 1985 before losing the IBF crown to Michael Spinks. This loss was particularly galling for Holmes because had he been victorious, he would have tied the record of Rocky Marciano in winning 49 professional fights with no defeats. Holmes was criticized by many for comments he made after the fight. He said that "Rocky Marciano couldn't have carried my jockstrap". He would lose a split decision to Spinks in an April 19, 1986 rematch, while trying to recover the world Heavyweight title.

Official Web Site (http://www.LarryHolmes.com/)

ja:ラリー・ホームズ