Quote:
|
Originally Posted by iron25
I've read many articles which mention that Larry Holmes did not get the true recognition he was deserved, he was the longest reigning heavyweight champ in history. They also say that when Tyson fought him he was an old shot fighter but, if I remember rightly, Tyson is the only man to KO Holmes and he went on to fight for many years after that still without being KO.
|
Holmes lost his title to Michael Spinks (brother of Neon Leon Spinks who beat Ali for the title) in a contraversial points decision. If my memory serves me right, Holmes was one step away from equaling Rocky Marcianos record of 49 wins and no losses. Holmes was not very popular because he was the guy that beat an old Ali in his last but one fight before the fiasco with Trevor Berbick, being the guy who really finished Ali's career made him a very unpopular fighter. It has been said that the judges scored against Holmes in the Spinks fights because he had made a comment when an interviewer compared him to Marciano that was something like "He couldn't carry my jockstrap"
Holmes didn't really train for the Tyson fight, Tyson was at his peak and Holmes took the fight for the money. Holmes was a very wealthy businessman by this time, but had all his money tied up in business interests.
One of the best fights I have seen Holmes in, was a post Tyson fight when he made another comeback and beat Ray Mercer, Holmes spent most of the fight in a corner covering up. At one point he was even talking to someone at ringside whilst taking the much younger Mercer to school!
A peak Holmes would of played with Lennox Lewis, and would of stood a very good chance against a peak Tyson.