World Heavyweight Champion (1978 - 1985)
Amateur Record: 19 Wins 3 Losses
Professional Record: 69 Wins 6 Losses 44 Knockouts
Born: November 3, 1949 Ð Cuthbert, Georgia
Residence since 1957: Easton, Pennsylvania
Last Fight: July 27, 2002 Ð Norfolk , Virginia Ð Against Butterbean
Next fight: George Foreman

TALE OF THE TAPE:
Height: 6 feet 3 inches
Waist: 35 inches
Fist: 13 1/2 inches
Reach: 81 inches
Thigh: 25 inches
Wrist: 8 inches
Chest: 43 1/2 inches
Ankle: 10 inches
Forearm: 13 inches
Chest Expansion: 45 1/2 inches
Neck: 17 1/2 inches
Biceps: 15 1/2 inches
» View Boxing Record

The Easton Assassin Ð Larry Holmes has proved that hard work and discipline will guide you towards your life goals and monetary security. The "Champ" was born in Cuthbert, Georgia and moved a few years later to Easton, Pennsylvania. Larry's life ambitions at the time were to be able to survive poverty and help out his family which included nine brothers and three sisters. Larry dropped out of school at 7th grade to be able to financially help his mom and siblings. Through hard work and discipline Larry was able to turn his life around to become financially secure.

At the age of 19, Larry Holmes started an amateur career (19 wins and 3 losses) that would prove that he had a talent for boxing. In 1971 at the age of 22, Larry had the opportunity to work with Muhammad Ali as a sparring partner. Two years later ,Larry would turn professional. In the interim Larry learned his trade by working with great fighters as Joe Frazier, Earnie Shavers, and Jimmy Young while fighting on their cards. Larry's winning record inched him closer to allow him an opportunity to fight for the Heavyweight Title.

Holmes was known as a late starter in the ring, but proved to his critics that he had the skills and ring savvy to become one of the greatest Heavyweight fighters of all time. Larry won the WBC Heavyweight Title in a toe to toe 15 round battle against Ken Norton in 1978 at the age of 29. His ability and heart that night demonstrated that Larry Holmes was not going away. Larry's signature jab would be a part of boxing history and a model for future fighters to follow and emulate.

Larry never turned down a fight throughout his career, and always looking to keep busy. His record will show that he fought an average of five times a year with one year being nine times throughout the world. Larry fought great fighters such as Earnie Shavers, Mike Weaver, Tim Witherspoon,Leon, Spinks, Gerry Cooney, Tex CobbÉÉ..while holding onto the title for over 7 years with 48 straight professional wins and 20 consecutive title fights. The ÔChamps "title was lost in a controversial decision to Michael Spinks in September of 1985. Larry's record still stands today (48 consecutive wins with 20 title defenses) next to great boxing legends as Rocky Marciano and Joe Louis.

Retirement to Larry means waiting for the next opportunity to get back in the ring. His first comeback came in 1988 to fight Mike Tyson. Even though, Larry was enjoying retirement and left the rigors of boxing, he still took the challenge without the proper training time. Larry knew the odds were against him since the promoter (Don King) would not allow him enough time to get in shape, but he had the heart to try his best and to regain the title.

A few years later the promoters and fans demanded Larry's return to fight at the age of 40. Larry Holmes' next comeback would be on the USA NETWORK- "TUESDAY NIGHT FIGHTS". The next few years, Larry fought five times a year on USA NETWORK to allow him another shot at the title. After his win against Ray Mercer, which surprised all critics, Larry fought Evander Holyfield for the Heavyweight Championship Title. Unfortunately, Larry had a detached retina prior to his fight in which he was hospitalized a month before the fight. Larry went the distance with Holyfield, but lost the decision.

Larry was still not ready to officially retire and fought on a monthly basis while challenging such contenders as Oliver McCall, Brian Nielson(fought in Denmark) and Maurice Harris. In Holmes' boxing comeback of the 1990's, Larry fought 24 fights including 2 title fights with 21 wins at an age when most fighters would never think about returning to the ring.

As Larry was demonstrating his quick jab and murderous right hand in the ring, he was evolving into a savvy entrepreneur in real estate and various businesses that would be an annuity for years to follow. Holmes always prepared himself for the time when he would not be able to enter the ring. Larry Holmes fought the odds and won. His career and accomplishments will always be a part of our history for all to see that honest hard work and discipline will put you on the path to success.

Ventures

The "Champ" has transferred his boxing abilities in the ring to his entrepreneurial skills outside the boxing arena. Larry takes a hands-on approach to each of his business ventures that endorse the Larry Holmes signature. The "Champ" has always been aggressively pursuing business ideas and projects that will bring positive annuity to his family for years to follow.

The following are some of the ventures that are a part of Larry Holmes Enterprises, Inc.

Ringside Restaurant and Nightclub

"Step Up" Restaurant

Real Estate Properties:

Built a 100,000 square foot office complex with long term tenants such as: Federal and local government agencies including a Federal courthouse, employment agencies, financial institutions, and medical offices.

Also, owns a boxing training facility in Easton, Pa

Larry Holmes slot machine to be placed throughout the world in various casinos (first athlete to endorse a slot machine).

Larry Holmes weekly TV show called" WHAT THE HECK WERE YOU THINKING"

Travels throughout as a spokesperson and motivational speaker on behalf of corporations, charitable organizations, and prison systems. Also, appears at Grand Openings for retailers as: Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Sears, Circuit City, Sports Authority, Champs, Foot LockerÉÉ.

Larry Holmes snack food

Larry Holmes autobiography "AGAINST THE ODDS" (St. Martin's Press).

Larry Holmes documentary "OUT OF THE SHADOW OF ALI- THE LARRY HOLMES STORY.

LARRY HOLMES ENTERPRISES, INC.
91 Larry Holmes Drive Suite 200
Easton, PA 18042
(610) 253-6905