[43][44] As of 2019, Holmes is living in Palmer Township, Pennsylvania, near Easton. It woke me up and helped me realize how the fight was just one moment., I went to him because I found him to be a really nice guy, Holmes said. Mike Tyson is still alive. What did Rodney King say, Can we all just get along? . Who is Larry Hall? He retained his WBC crown till 1983. The defeat of Ali was Larry Holmes eighth title defense of his WBC belt. I always liked Gerry. The younger, quicker Williams was able to out-jab the aging champion, who was left with a badly swollen eye by the end of the bout. The Easton Assassin as Holmes was known was, indeed, the only opponent to stop Ali, and looking back on a masterful career at the tail end of the golden age of heavyweights, with victories over Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers, Mike Weaver, Cooney, Tim Witherspoon, Carl Williams, Marvis Frazier and others, Holmes explains: There were so many great fights, and we are all tempted to go on for too long, but early on, I learned so much working as Muhammad Alis sparring partner for four, five years. Click to reveal Holmes is the only fighter to have stopped Muhammad Ali and the only man still alive to have beaten Ali. ForumIAS Mains Open Simulator X He finally retired in 2002 with a 69-6 record and 44 knockouts. He was unsuccessful in four further comeback attempts (against Mike Tyson in 1988, Evander Holyfield in 1992, Oliver McCall in 1995 and Brian Nielsen in 1997) to regain the heavyweight title. Larry Holmes was born on November 3, 1949, in Cuthbert, Georgia. Leander Holmes, Pearl Holmes, Charles Holmes, Jacob Holmes, Perry Holmes, Antoinette Holmes, Floyd Z. Fede Holmes, John Henry Holmes, Jr, Robert Holmes, Redell Hurst, Mark Holmes, Kandy Holmes, Larry Holmes Jr, Belinda Holmes, Misty Holmes, Lisa Holmes. Larry Holmes got initial training in boxing from Ernie Butler, a former professional boxer. But I didnt beat him up because he couldnt fight. Not only wasn't he expected to beat Sonny Liston and George Foreman, but there were also . Cooney rose to become the No. There was no phone in Holmes dressing room. Only problem was the man holding those titles was Mike Tyson. Holmes dominated the first six rounds, but in the seventh, Shavers sent Holmes down with a devastating overhand right. Holmes rallied late in the fifteenth to win the round on two scorecards and take the title by a split decision. Holmes got up, survived the round, and went on to punish Shavers in the eleventh round and the referee stopped the fight .[10]. Are there any death rumors? James Toney is still alive. The family moved to Easton, Pennsylvania in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania in 1954. For the next five years, Holmes stood alone atop the heavyweight standings defending his titles a total of 12 more times against the likes of Trevor Berbick, Leon Spinks, and Carl Williams. In 2016, Holmes guest starred as himself in an episode of Mike Tyson Mysteries, titled "Unsolved Situations". Born as a twin on December 11, 1962, Larry had it tough from the get-go; he had to be rushed into treatment the moment he came out of the womb since he was blue due to a lack of oxygen. Larry Holmes Death Fact Check, Birthday & Age | Dead or Kicking On November 9, 1984, after a year out of the ring, Holmes made his first defense of the IBF title, stopping James "Bonecrusher" Smith on a cut in the twelfth round. And they tried to knock me down. He got up, but his trainer, Victor Valle, stepped into the ring and stopped the fight. In 1978 he won world boxing council heavyweight crown, which he defended several times subsequently. For one of the few times, Cooney could not accept Holmes cookout invitation because of a previous commitment, but the two former fighters will see plenty of each other in the coming days as they celebrate the best memories of their historic bout. Please ignore rumors and hoaxes. Holmes won the fight in the 13th round. Over the next decade Holmes fought 24 times, which included three title fights. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You have entered an incorrect email address! The action you just performed triggered the security solution. [15], The bout was held in a 32,000-seat stadium erected in a Caesar's Palace Parking lot, with millions more watching around the world. Promoter Don King offered Holmes $2.55 million to fight Page, but the champion didn't think that was enough. Ken Norton, former heavyweight champion, dies - ESPN.com Larry Holmes is still alive. But in September 1985, he was defeated by Michael Spinks in a 15 round decision and again with the same outcome after six months. After beating Jake Paul, Tommy Fury's boxing career is at a crossroads, Tommy Fury edges out YouTuber Jake Paul in fight for the new age, Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury tonight: UK start time, how to watch and undercard line-up, Tommy Fury must beat Jake Paul for boxing's sake. He has been a controversial figure, partly due to a manslaughter conviction and civil cases against him, as well as allegations of dishonest business practices by numerous boxers. Scorpio is a great leader, always aware of the situation and also features prominently in resourcefulness. [15] Although Cooney tried to deflect questions about race, members of his camp wore shirts that said "Not the White Man, but the Right Man. Holmes achieved much better results in his second comeback, and it lasted much longer. He opened two restaurants and a nightclub, a training facility, an office complex, a snack food bar, and slot machines in the year 2008. Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin: When is it, what time does it start, and how to watch in UK? His father, John Holmes, was a Gardner, and mother Flossie took care of their family of 12 children, including Larry Holmes. "This man might not have had credit before tonight, but you'll give it to him now. Cooney and Holmes ran into each other eight months later in Las Vegas. He is the son of John Holmes (father) and Flossie Holmes (mother). Larry Holmes - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday As per our current Database, Larry Holmes is still alive (as per Wikipedia, Last update: May 10, 2020). Ali is my friend. Holmes was promised $13 million and Coetzee was promised $8 million. Im not sure if that wouldve been good enough, but I wouldve learned a lot more. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. On June 18, 1999, he stopped "Bonecrusher" Smith in eight rounds,[36] and on November 17, 2000, he stopped Mike Weaver in six. If the paycheck was right, Butterbean was always ready to cash in. Holmes successfully defended his title 20 consecutive times before losing to Michael Spinks. Although emotions are very important for Scorpio, they manifest them differently than other water signs. He was most impressive in his previous bout, a first-round stoppage of former champion Ken Norton. We have remained friends for 40 years. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Check out his Personal Life with Professional Career! They are determined and decisive, and will research until they find out the truth. Holmes then decided to move on and fight someone else.[23]. Tyson dispatched of Holmes in just four rounds, which sent Holmes back into retirement. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008. "This man knocked the devil out of me", Holmes said. [34], Holmes and George Foreman signed to fight on January 23, 1999, at the Astrodome in Houston. Abhorrence and greed is what the system of white superiority stands for. In 2002, Holmes fought for the last time and defeated Eric Butterbean Esch. In his twenty-first bout, he boxed Nick Wells in the semifinals of the 1972 National Olympic Trials in Fort Worth, Texas. Who is Buster Poseys Twin? He has amassed most of his wealth through his numerous fights, including high profile title defense fights against boxing greats. Holmes was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008. Id put $10,000 on my head. Larry Holmes - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday Currently, Larry Holmes is 73 years, 2 months and 2 days old. The fight between Holmes and Ken Norton was a tough, competitive fight. [7], In his first two title defenses, Holmes easily knocked out Alfredo Evangelista and Ossie Ocasio. Deirdre Griswold - KeyWiki Larry Holmes (right) and Gerry Cooney (left) square off at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The Holmes fight is said to have contributed to Ali's Parkinson's syndrome.[14]. Rocky III debuted a month before the fight. Not even the threat of rain could deter Holmes plans for barbecue, old-school R&B and the gathering of several family members. On September 21, 1985, Holmes took on Michael Spinks, who was the undisputed light heavyweight champion. Gebruiksvoorwaarden | Privacybeleid | Gepersonaliseerde advertenties | Europese Privacy Regelgeving | Cookiebeleid | Beheer voorkeuren, 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. Alle rechten voorbehouden, Larry Holmes, Gerry Cooney forever connected 40 years after 1982 championship bout that pitted Black against white. On April 8, 1995, Holmes challenged Oliver McCall for the WBC heavyweight crown but lost in 12 rounds. He is still regarded as a heavyweight champion by the International Boxing Federation. Larry Holmes - Page 2 - BoxRec Larry Holmes was born on November 3, 1949 and is 73 years old now. Yes, according to our best knowledge, Larry Holmes is still alive. His fight with the great Muhammad Ali in 1980 firmly declared his class. Witherspoon, a six to one underdog and with only 15 professional bouts to his name, surprised many by giving Holmes a difficult fight. Holmes first gained credibility as a contender when he upset the hard-punching Earnie Shavers in March 1978. Once it happened, I told myself that I was going to take it out on Gerry.. Larry Holmes 2023: Wife, net worth, tattoos, smoking & body facts - Taddlr Larry Holmes, a fierce boxer who nurtured his childhood penchant for a street fight into a lucrative career spanning more than two decades. The biggest coming in 1992 when Holmes challenged the champion Evander Holyfield. That kind of shook me out of my depression [after losing the fight]. I needed three or four more fights before I fought Larry, Cooney said. [38], Holmes invested the money he earned from boxing and settled in his hometown of Easton. Larry Holmes stands at a height of 6 feet 3 inches tall. Cooney, then 25-0, had the chance to become the first white American heavyweight champion since Rocky Marciano retired 26 years earlier, and much of the promotion catered to that drought. That was Cooneys last gasp as Holmes dominated the rest of the way. The streetfighter matured into an excellent boxer when he decided to adopt boxing for a living. Ali was a great champion and a great fighter. After the fight, Holmes again retired. Larry Holmes Death Fact Check Larry is alive and kicking and is currently 73 years old. The selection committee of the National Olympic authorities chose him to fight at the Olympic Box-offs in West Point, New York. Almost two years after retiring, Larry Holmes was lured back into the ring with a chance to reclaim the title belts. Where Is Former Heavyweight Champ Larry Holmes and What - Sportscasting Holmes was back in the ring five months later, resuming the pace he had set since his comeback. Below we countdown to Larry Holmes upcoming birthday. The Holmes-Cooney bout was must-see, but it wasnt the first heavyweight championship fight where many fans chose sides not necessarily based on boxing. I dont like to knock nobody but I like to tell the truth.. Alis trainer, Angelo Dundee, stopped the fight in the 10th round. RARE INTERVIEW | Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes, Ken - YouTube He worked at a car wash for $1 an hour and later, he worked dump truck driver, and as a sandblaster. He only lives an hour away in New Jersey. Holmes's victory over Shavers set up a title shot between Holmes and WBC Heavyweight Champion Ken Norton in Las Vegas on June 9, 1978. Hes opened a variety of businesses through the years, including restaurants, a nightclub, a training facility, and an office complex. Half of my family is white., The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. When asked why he was crying, he said that he respected Ali "a whole lot" and "he fought one of the baddest heavyweights in the world today, and you cannot take credit from him. "[15] In their fight previews, Sports Illustrated and Time put Cooney on the cover, not Holmes. In fact, both men despised the way it was billed, and Holmes who stopped Cooney in the 13th round in Las Vegas had armed police securing his safety. On its 40th anniversary, Mark Baldwin looks back at one of the grimmest spectacles in boxing history - when a peak Larry Holmes dismantled the shadow of a once great Muhammad Ali. Holmes retired after the loss, his first in 49 bouts, which kept him from matching Rocky Marcianos career record of 490. In the thirteenth, a barrage of punches sent Cooney down. In September 1979, Larry Holmes, in a close match, defeated Ernie Shavers in a rematch establishing him an undisputed heavyweight champion. The racial venom was so disturbing that Holmes property was vandalized, and he received enough death threats that he had to move his family briefly. He grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania, which led to his boxing nickname of the " Easton Assassin ". And when I was beating them up, I was sad about it. Holmes said the reason was simple. On that night, in a temporary arena constructed in a parking lot at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Ali stepped out of retirement and into the ring to face Larry Holmes, a former sparring partner.. For King, the atmosphere leading up to the fight reflected society. I remember working with Joe as a sparring partner and he broke my ribs. On 3-11-1949 Larry Holmes (nickname: The Easton Assassin) was born in Cuthbert, Georgia. Focus on Sport/Getty Images Unpredictably and accidentally, the two combatants began what would develop into a genuine friendship not long after the fight. He worked as a car wash mechanic, dump truck driver, and a quarry worker. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. ASSOCIATED PRESS. In 1992, after beating opponent Ray Mercer, Holmes advanced to the title bout with Evander Holyfield, who defeated him in a decision. His father was a gardener. But you should quit while you are ahead., Why did Holmes come back in 1988 to fight Tyson, and why do fighters come back ? Holmes was still fighting his way out of Alis shadow, establishing his own record at 39-0 as the WBC champion for four years with 11 consecutive title defenses. In June 1978, he defeated Ken Norton in Las Vegas in a title fight. His height is 1.91 m tall, and his weight is 115 kg. Showing results for . He appeared on The Tonight Show a number of times. Larry Holmes opened his eyes on 3rd November 1949, in Cuthbert, Georgia, in the United States of America. Holmes was the fourth of twelve children born to John and Flossie Holmes. He retired from the sport in 2002, with 69 wins and 6 losses. He last fought in 1990 after a technical knockout to George Foreman. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. [32], On April 8, 1995, he fought Oliver McCall for the WBC title. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and the rest will be added. Houses Cars RELATED: These 10 Whopping Homes & Cars Of Celebrities Look Amazing! At the end of the round, the two nodded to each other in respect. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Still, instead of high profile bouts, he remained subdued and quite frequently was a sparring partner of boxing greats like Mohammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Jimmy Young. Heavyweight boxer Gerry Cooney shown at a news conference in Las Vegas after he lost to Larry Holmes in the 13th round on June 11, 1982. In the year 2008, she was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Larry started his boxing career when he was just 19 years old. Being born on 3 November 1949, Larry Holmes is 73 years old as of todays date 5th March 2023. Who is Running Back in the National Football Leagues Former Football Player Ron Dayne Wife? In the tenth, they traded punches relentlessly. Thomas Hauser is the lead writer for boxing website SecondsOut.com and is a contributing editor of this magazine, Thomas Hauser recalls how Larry Holmes reduced 'the Greatest' to a human punchbag - and called time on an era, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Hes like a ripe tomato. I took no pleasure in beating Ali. Holmes is the only fighter still alive who defeated Ali. [citation needed] Holmes currently co-hosts a talk show entitled What The Heck Were They Thinking? Holmes won in 11 rounds, cementing his claim as world heavyweight champion. His one-two punch sent Cooney down in the second round. And no, we are not aware of any death rumors. Each fighter made a record-setting purse at that time of $10 million, when the challenger often made less than the champ. Holmes was dropped in the first round with a right to the head. In any case, you can be sure that the Scorpio will keep your secrets, whatever they may be. Holmes is frequently ranked as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time[6] and has been inducted into both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of Fame. Birthday: November 3, 1949 How Old - Age: 73 Recently Passed Away Celebrities and Famous People. No one did it. His career record was 69-6 and he was inducted into both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Larry Holmes is an American former professional boxer who is known for his solid defense in the late 1970s and early 1980s. [39], In 2014, Holmes sold his business complex in Easton to entrepreneur Gerald Gorman, CEO of Lawyer.com.[40]. All the above generated a steady income and created a healthy addition to his net worth. In 2008 Larry Holmes was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Larry Holmes left school early when he was thirteen years old to help his family. After an uneventful first round, Holmes dropped Cooney with a right in the second. For years Holmes heard numerous reasons as to why Ali lost. Each stoked the flames with comments of their own. In 1983, amid ongoing disagreements with boxing promoter Don King, Holmes relinquished his WBC title. 92.42.140.251 He was making $3.1 million to fight Frazier and felt he should get as much as $5 million to fight Page.[19]. On October 2, 1980, Holmes faced the celebrated Ali, who at age 38 was mounting a comeback. He grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania, which led to his boxing nickname of the "Easton Assassin". The 70-year-old Holmes, who has a reported net worth of $18 million, has seen recent headlines about former foes, including Mike Tyson making a return to the ring. Who is (Gerald Dempsey Buster Posey III ) Buster Posey Wife? Holmes defended the title 17 times between 1978 and 1983, defeating such formidable boxers as Earnie Shavers, Leon Spinks, and Gerry Cooney. Larry Holmes | Biography, Record, & Facts | Britannica [3][4], Holmes won his first 48 professional bouts, including victories over Ken Norton (the man he defeated in 1978 for the WBC championship), Muhammad Ali, Earnie Shavers, Mike Weaver, Gerry Cooney, Tim Witherspoon, Carl Williams, and Marvis Frazier. [22] Don King then planned to promote the fight, but Holmes lost a lawsuit filed by Virginia attorney Richard Hirschfeld, who said he had a contract with Holmes that gave him right of first refusal on a Holmes-Coetzee bout. But Holmes had to extend one more invitation. Muhammad Ali had a career of pulling off miracles inside a boxing ring. Before Larry Holmes ever made a name for himself, he learned the ropes against some of boxings best. Larry Holmes married his wife, Diane Holmes in the year 1979 at a private wedding. He honed his skills under his guidance and became a very prominent amateur boxer winning 19 of his 22 fights. These Are The 15 Hottest Wives And Girlfriends Of Hollywood! He won 19 of his 22 fights and several titles before turning professional at age of 24 years old. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Holmes, 72, and one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, spent much of his early years in the masterful shadow of Ali, and, in London on a talking tour with former foe Gerry Cooney for Bar Sports, says that he took no pleasure in beating Ali very late in the career of The Greatest. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Maybe you know about Larry Holmes very well But do you know how old and tall is he, and what is his net worth in 2023? I tried not to pay any attention to the outside noise.. The family survived on welfare. Holmes and Cooney, now 65, have been close friends ever since. Holmes won by a lopsided twelve-round unanimous decision, winning every round on two scorecards and all but one on the third. After some years of street fighting, Larry started his professional boxing career. Larry Holmes - Wikipedia "I thought, 'hey, these guys are the best, the champs. In 1973 he decided to turn professional. View more / View less Facts of Larry Holmes, Is Ben Smith-Petersen Married? He earned this amount through his career through his boxing career. He dropped out of school to help support his family when he was in the seventh grade. But I was holding my own sparring those guys", Holmes said. He won many titles during his long boxing career spanning decades. Whether or not Holmes makes a third comeback to boxing remains to be seen. [16][17], Holmes's next two fights were one-sided decision wins over Randall "Tex" Cobb and ex-European champion Lucien Rodriguez. Besides, Larry also has three daughters, Belinda Holmes, Misty Holmes, and Lisa Holmes from two previous relationships. Larry Holmes opened his eyes on 3rd November 1949, in Cuthbert, Georgia, in the United States of America. Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Watres Armory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico. This is a white and Black fight, King said to the media. Tears appeared in Holmes' eyes during a post-fight interview. Bey had beaten former champ Buster Douglas and respected fighter Greg . I fought Mike Tyson and I lost. Norton is the only heavyweight champion never to win the title in the ring, and boxing fans still talk about the bruising battle he waged with Larry Holmes for the title in 1978. After fourteen rounds, each of the three judges scored the fight dead even at seven rounds each. A phone was installed in Cooneys dressing room so President Ronald Reagan could call him if he won. Larry Holmes Is He Still Alive FOR SALE! - PicClick UK Larry Holmes is a retired American boxer who has a net worth of $18 million dollars. The boxer his starsign is Scorpio and he is now 73 years of age. If you do not know, We have prepared this article about details of Larry Holmess short biography-wiki, career, professional life, personal life, todays net worth, age, height, weight, and more facts. No problem the latest Rocky film packs a real punch. Who is Misty Copelands Husband? Source: ringsidereport.com 'ali is 38 years old,' holmes said. Holmes took Holyfield the distance but lost by unanimous decision. Certainly not 40 years ago, when Holmes and Cooney faced off in a parking lot at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in a WBC heavyweight championship bout more associated with racial bile than on the two combatants in the ring one white, one Black. Explore More About her Family with Quick Facts! Currently, he is co-hosting a talk show What The Heck Were They Thinking?. But you didnt get no day off. And during this period, promoter Don King and Cooneys manager Dennis Rappaport did not downplay the racial conflict. The challenger made the cover of Sports Illustrated, while heavyweight titleholder Holmes was reduced to an inside page. Larry holds an American while he belongs to Afro-American ethnical background. 2310 AD AD vy12 3935145225 3935145225 vy12 I needed three or four more fights before I fought Larry. 1 contender. Holmes and former fighter and friend Gerry Cooney have discussed the possibility of a playful charitable exhibition, but with the pandemic have put those thoughts on the back burner. Your IP: One thing is certainHolmes established his legacy long ago as one of the greatest heavyweights ever, and nothing will ever change that. Holmes said that if Cooney wasn't white, he would not be getting the same purse as the champion (both boxers received $10 million for the bout). "He just didn't have anything to give." [30] (Holmes later claimed that he fought Mercer in spite of having a detached retina. Also, he was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame. The Philadelphia native was 14-0 entering the fight with long-time champ Larry Holmes on March 15 at the Riviera in Las Vegas. Holmes had to follow Ali, and that was a hard act to follow.. Out on the street, Larry Holmes was hardly afraid to pick up a brawl if someone crossed him. In the year 2013, he sold the Palmer Township estate for $1.7 million. I wish we had a camera in the car because of all of our laughing and joking. Larry Holmes (born November 3, 1949) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1973 to 2002 and was world heavyweight champion from 1978 until 1985. Unpredictably and accidentally, the two combatants began what would develop into a genuine friendship not long after the fight. By then, Holmes was landing with ease. [12], Holmes seemed to show signs of sadness in punishing Ali so much during the fight. His father was a gardener. From 1978 to 1983, he held the WBC heavyweight title and, To date, Larry won his first 48 professional bouts, including victories over. Holmes retired later in 1986. Former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes recently decided to have a cookout on his estate near his hometown of Easton, Pennsylvania. His siblings are Leander Holmes, Pearl Holmes, Charles Holmes, Jacob Holmes, Perry Holmes, Antoinette Holmes, Floyd Z. Fede Holmes, John Henry Holmes, Jr, Robert Holmes, Redell Hurst, and Mark Holmes. The fight was being promoted by JPD Inc., but it was canceled when Caesars Palace said the promoters failed to meet the financial conditions of the contract. On June 22, 1979, Holmes faced future WBA Heavyweight Champion Mike Weaver, who was lightly regarded going into the fight sporting an uninspiring 198 record. On November 6, 1981, Holmes rose from a seventh-round knockdown, during which he staggered into the turnbuckle, to stop Renaldo Snipes in the eleventh. Eventually, Holmes was disqualified for excessive holding. He was in the limelight when, in March 1978, he defeated Ernie Shavers. The International Boxing Federation, however, still regarded him as heavyweight champion, and he defended that title three times before losing it to Michael Spinks in a 15-round decision on September 21, 1985. He retired in 2002 with a 69-6 record. Larry Holmes is an American retired boxer who has a net worth of $18 million. According to astrologers, Scorpio-born are passionate and assertive people. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Larry Holmes opened his eyes on 3rd November 1949, in Cuthbert, Georgia, in the United States of America. It wasnt an act; I was serious, Holmes said. From 1973 to 1978 Holmes won 28 consecutive bouts, culminating in a victorious 15-round decision over reigning champion Ken Norton on June 9, 1978, for the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight crown. Foreman received a nonrefundable $1 million deposit, and Holmes got to keep a $400,000 down-payment of his $4 million purse. A victory by Holmes would have secured his place in history by tying him with Rocky Marciano for the most consecutive wins without a loss at 49-0. When he retired from boxing, Holmes employed more than 200 people through his various business holdings. Holmes lost by a close 12-round unanimous decision. Before the fight Archie Moore, the long-time light heavyweight champion who unsuccessfully challenged for the heavyweight crown himself twice, predicted an easy win for Holmes: "I'm afraid Larry will chew him up.