Larry Holmes, the iconic former heavyweight champion, stands as a unique figure in boxing history. With a jab that could dismantle mountains and a record that includes victories over legends, Holmes asserts,
There’s never been a champion like me.
The Easton Assassin’s legacy
Larry “The Easton Assassin” Holmes left an indelible mark on the sport. His jab was poetry in motion—a piston of precision that kept opponents at bay.
As Muhammad Ali’s sparring partner, he transitioned from training camp to the ring, becoming the first man to stop Ali. That victory alone would secure his place in boxing lore, but Holmes went further.
From 1980 to 1985, he held the WBC heavyweight title, the Ring magazine title, and the lineal heavyweight title. Later, he added the inaugural IBF heavyweight title to his collection. Holmes’s reign was marked by dominance, resilience, and a refusal to be overshadowed.
Holmes vs. the Current Crop
In an interview with Seconds Out, Holmes didn’t mince words about today’s heavyweights.
This era is not good, he declared.
Rather than watching their fights, he’d prefer soap operas on TV. But when asked about Tyson Fury’s undisputed clash with Oleksandr Usyk, Holmes acknowledged the significance.
For 70 or 80 years, there has never been a champion like me, he mused.
His advice to the current crop?
Become a champion, hold it up in your voice, and don’t let it go.
Facing modern fighters
Holmes’s confidence extends beyond nostalgia. When queried about facing modern fighters in his prime, he remains undeterred.
It doesn’t matter. Any time, every day, any day. I was ready.” His respect for today’s boxers shines through: “I just wish them the best and say just keep doing what you’re doing.
Usyk’s Rise and the rematch
Oleksandr Usyk, the first-ever four-belt heavyweight undisputed champion, has etched his name among the greats. His victory over “The Gypsy King” Tyson Fury solidified his status.
Now, a rematch looms, with Fury seeking redemption on December 21. The stakes are high, and Usyk’s battered face after battles with Fury and Anthony Joshua attests to the challenge.
Conclusion
Larry Holmes’s legacy transcends titles—it’s about character, resilience, and the unwavering belief that he was one of a kind.
As an experienced writer, I marvel at the echoes of his era in today’s ring. Perhaps, just perhaps, there’s room for another champion like Larry—a legend unmatched.
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