http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/larry_holmes/74915 Recent articles about Larry Holmes en-us SCOTT LEDOUX   Scott LeDoux of Minnesota was a heavyweight contender in  the 1970′s and 80′s. He was a game and rugged customer who crossed gloves with some of the best the heavyweight division had to offer during his era In his  fifty-bout career Scott met eight heavyweight champions.  EIGHT! George Foreman, Leon Spinks, Ken Norton, Mike Weaver, Gerrie Coetzee,  Frank Bruno,Larry Holmes and Greg Page. On July 7,1980 Scott met Larry  Holmes for the WBC title. He was stopped in seven rounds. In addition to meeting  eight champs, he also fought three men who challenged for crown. They were Ron  Lyle, Terry Daniels and Ron Stander. He also met other worthy contenders like  Duane and Rodney Bobick, Marty Monroe, Dino Dennis, Larry Middleton and Johnny  Boudreaux. Scott’s bout with Boudreaux stands out. It was part of the United States Boxing  Tourney. LeDoux lost a very debatable decision. A little scuffle ensued and  somewhere in melee Howard Cosell’s toupee was di... Wed, 22 May 2013 16:01:21 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/scott_ledoux/13673263 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/scott_ledoux/13673263 SCOTT LEDOUX http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/scott_ledoux/13673263 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Wladimir Klitschko receives a large, and to some degree unfair share of criticism from fight fans, particularly fight fans outside of Europe. The gripers say he is boring, because he fights out of a safety-first, robotic style. They also complain that his quality of opposition is subpar, and that the current generation of heavyweights is the worst ever. Comparing fighters from different eras is always difficult, but one heavyweight champion stands out as being very much like Wladimir Klitschko: Larry Holmes. The Easton Assassin was also little appreciated in his era, and while boxing has come around to appreciating his virtues and giving the man his just due in the 21st Century, you can still find unreconstructed and diehard criticism of Holmes out there. Will the day come when Klitschko gets a healthy dose of revisionism, or will he remain a questionable figure in heavyweight history? A comparison to Larry Holmes might give us the answer. Tangling With the Old Guard Credit: K2 Pro... Tue, 07 May 2013 12:43:23 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/comparing_wladimir_klitschko_to_larry_holmes_does_wlad_stack_up_to_the_easton_assassin/13567661 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/comparing_wladimir_klitschko_to_larry_holmes_does_wlad_stack_up_to_the_easton_assassin/13567661 Comparing Wladimir Klitschko to Larry Holmes: Does Wlad stack up to the Easton Assassin? http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/comparing_wladimir_klitschko_to_larry_holmes_does_wlad_stack_up_to_the_easton_assassin/13567661 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/3/f38d9f8b8e874cb55d5057caf2dd952871d7668b/mini/Sports_News_d6d2.jpg Who was the best white heavyweight of the 80′s? Gerry Cooney? Maybe…but for my money Randy “Tex” Cobb was the king of the white heavies in the 80′s. In all Tex met five world champions and several top contenders.   Cobb began his career in 1977 and worked his way slowly into contention. By the end of 1979 Tex had reeled off 13 straight kayo wins. Number 13 being against tough Cleveland heavyweight Terry Mims. In 1980 he was finally forced to go the distance against journeyman Cookie Wallace. Two fights later Tex broke into the heavyweight ratings stopping thunderous punching Earnie Shavers in Detroit. Three months later Tex dropped a controversial decision to ex-champion Kenny Norton.   In 1981 Cobb gave a good account of himself in a losing effort against Michael Dokes. Two fights later Tex outpunched rugged Bernardo Mercado over ten rounds. That victory set Randy up for his shot at immortality. A crack at Larry Holmes’ heavyweight title one year later. On November 26, 1982 in ... Sat, 20 Apr 2013 06:49:49 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/a_case_for_cobb/13442332 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/a_case_for_cobb/13442332 A CASE FOR COBB http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/a_case_for_cobb/13442332 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png I was maybe 5 or 6 years old at the time, but I know Carl “The Truth” Williams vs. Larry Holmes was the first boxing match I ever saw. I remember it so vividly, because even Toddler Rob was scoring fights and I thought he won. When I got older, I watched the fight again and still thought he won. He has passed away from complications from throat cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:47:06 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/boxer_carl_the_truth_williams_dead_at_the_age_of_53/13419802 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/boxer_carl_the_truth_williams_dead_at_the_age_of_53/13419802 Boxer Carl “The Truth” Williams Dead at the Age of 53 http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/boxer_carl_the_truth_williams_dead_at_the_age_of_53/13419802 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Boxing is mostly a niche sport due, more than any perceived lack of talent, mostly to fragmentation. I can’t even tell you anymore if the WBO title that Mike Alvarado just won even counts as a major belt. The WBO is an organization that was created at Don King’s behest, IIRC, to keep one of the Spinks brothers or Larry Holmes with a belt. For fans of the fight game, the biggest arguments these days aren’t really about who is the best fighter but what was the fight of the year. Last night was an early contender for the fight of the year. It was like a Rocky movie but with less believable make-up effects and fewer knockdowns. The fight was a rematch of one of last year’s best fights and this time the sequel way outperformed the original. So much so that I could see these two guys stuck in an endless loop of rematches and nobody would object. If you like boxing and missed it last night you should definitely seek out the replay. You’ll be wondering for all 12 rounds how neither Brandon ... Sun, 31 Mar 2013 10:00:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/rios_alvarado_ad_infinitum/13277824 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/rios_alvarado_ad_infinitum/13277824 Rios-Alvarado, ad infinitum http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/rios_alvarado_ad_infinitum/13277824 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Heavyweight Madness Tournament has crowned a champion! Below, you will see accounts of each Final Four match and the Championship Final. The semifinals feature two exciting matches, Muhammad Ali vs. Lennox Lewis, and Joe Louis vs. Larry Holmes. Which men will advance and square off in the championship? Take a look below to see how it all plays out. Previous Rounds: Sweet Sixteen Elite Eight 1. Muhammad Ali vs. 13. Lennox Lewis Lennox Lewis as a Final Four participant in this tournament is somewhat surprising. Can he keep his somewhat improbable run going by taking out the one man whom many feel is the all-time greatest? The fight begins: The first round sees Ali whipping and slipping. Ali is whipping his jab into Lewis, almost at will, and slipping most of Lewis’s jabs. Lewis doesn’t catch Ali with anything of note and Ali has established himself as the faster man early. The next few rounds are more of the same. Lewis seems to be a bit confused and taken back by Ali’s speed a... Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:33:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/heavyweight_madness_the_final_four_championship/13263814 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/heavyweight_madness_the_final_four_championship/13263814 Heavyweight Madness: The Final Four & Championship http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/heavyweight_madness_the_final_four_championship/13263814 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/0/90c5c14318f400afa7f22dc24572c9496dce32db/mini/Lewis_Lennox_Press_4bd5.jpg Former heavyweight boxing champion Larry Holmes is recovering at home in eastern Pennsylvania after he was hospitalized for two days because of high blood sugar. The 63-year-old Holmes tells The Express-Times of Easton he was admitted to St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem Township on Tuesday after his blood sugar spiked. He says he had felt lightheaded and drowsy and his doctor sent him to the hospital. He returned to his Palmer Township home Thursday afternoon and says he's taking medication and following his doctor's instructions to lose weight and eat right. He says blood sugar problems run in his family. A telephone message left for Holmes was not immediately returned Friday. Holmes grew up in Easton and was heavyweight champion from 1978 to 1985. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 08:52:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/holmes_hospitalized_released_in_pa/13149229 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/holmes_hospitalized_released_in_pa/13149229 Holmes hospitalized, released in Pa. http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/holmes_hospitalized_released_in_pa/13149229 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png On this day in 1988, boxing great Mike Tyson signed a seven-fight deal with HBO for $26.5 million. Unlike most other prize-fighters, Tyson was surrounded by trustworthy management that let him keep the majority share of that contract. In 1988, Iron Mike earned a total of approximately $35 million just through boxing; he made millions more via endorsement deals with Eastman Kodak, Pepsi, and Nintendo. The most lucrative fight of the deal with against Larry Holmes in 1988. In our $26.5 million deal, people assumed -wrongly, I might add – that the money was divided equally for the seven fights. But it didn’t work that way. The Larry Holmes fight, for instance, went for $5 million. Others were priced at $2 million.” – Seth Abraham of HBO Tyson handed Larry Holmes the only knockout loss he ever had in 76 fights as a pro [video below]. Once Holmes went down, the only boxer considered to have any type of chance against Tyson was Michael Spinks. Read about the Spinks fight here.   Sun, 06 Jan 2013 17:19:04 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/today_in_sports_history_16_tyson_signs_a_big_contract/12591964 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/today_in_sports_history_16_tyson_signs_a_big_contract/12591964 Today in Sports History (1/6): Tyson Signs a BIG Contract http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/today_in_sports_history_16_tyson_signs_a_big_contract/12591964 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/d/0db71bc958ab54e210807a515bdd8d0ddf48a82e/mini/Evander_Holyfield_III_8153.jpg One of boxing’s greatest ambassadors, two time Heavyweight Champion of the World ‘Terrible’ Tim Witherspoon, becomes the latest big name to join the board of the newly revitalized Malta Boxing Commission. The American, who has been appointed Honorary Vice President, joins fellow legend, two time, two division Champion of the World Steve ‘Celtic Warrior’ Collins, who was appointed President earlier this month and his long time friend, Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro, who is a founding partner and the other Vice President of the Malta Boxing Commission on the top table. Tim’s exceptional pro career began in 1979, fours years later, and with just fifteen wins under his belt, Tim hit the Championship trail for the first time in May 1983, when he challenged fellow Pennsylvanian Larry Holmes for the title he’d held firmly in his vice like grip since 1978, and had successfully defended no less than fourteen times previously, just one less than the total of fights Tim had to date. Considering this w... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:11:14 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/tim_witherspoon_joins_up_with_malta_boxing_commission/12422023 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/tim_witherspoon_joins_up_with_malta_boxing_commission/12422023 Tim Witherspoon joins up with Malta Boxing Commission http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/tim_witherspoon_joins_up_with_malta_boxing_commission/12422023 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/1/f1263a237e0191eabb7aed9fb8783593dcc99fd3/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f238105.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1930CAC8EAFC893BBEBFC5BD3DDA484408D.jpg George Foreman and Larry Holmes both signed a contract to finally meet in the ring of the Houston Astrodome, slated for January 1999. Big George ultimately bailed when the promoters failed to pony up enough cash to make Foreman's $10 million purse. The two aged greats went home with the non-refundable deposits, and the idea of a Foreman vs. Holmes clash was never revived. But what if it was? What if the money had been paid, or some other financier stepped into the promotion -- and the fight went ahead for sometime in early 1999. Backdrop George Foreman began his historic comeback in March 1987, which culminated with his knockout of Michael Moorer in November 1994 and capture of the WBA-IBF titles. Foreman fought four more times after beating Moorer, against three fringe contenders (Axel Schultz, Lou Savarese, Shannon Briggs) and one journeyman (Crawford Grimsley). His last fight saw him lose a Majority Decision to Briggs. The second comeback of Larry Holmes came afte... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 12:38:21 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/george_foreman_vs_larry_holmes_in_1999_fantasy_and_almost_reality_fight/12386074 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/george_foreman_vs_larry_holmes_in_1999_fantasy_and_almost_reality_fight/12386074 George Foreman vs. Larry Holmes in 1999: Fantasy -and almost reality- fight http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/george_foreman_vs_larry_holmes_in_1999_fantasy_and_almost_reality_fight/12386074 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/3/f3b2b2df254d24c4bde1e66aecf519cee882db8b/mini/George_Foreman_Launhces_aa8c.jpg American fight fans are in for a treat come December 1st as proven veteran Kevin Johnson (28-2-1) battles UK’s undefeated 6’ 9” giant Tyson Fury (19-0-0) in an official WBC Heavyweight World Title eliminator. A win by Johnson on Saturday will put an American Heavyweight back in the ring challenging for the world title, although the undefeated Fury is the favorite in the fight, and is looking to land a title shot against a Klitschko in 2013. The fight will be covered live in the United States on WealthTV starting at 4 pm on Saturday. Johnson, a resident of Atlanta, Georgia, credits the legendary boxing Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes for putting his career down the right path.  Holmes trained Johnson during the early days of his career and taught Johnson the value of a stinging jab. Johnson, with 28 fights under his belt, seasoned yet only 33 years old, may be peaking at the right time.  Lately, Johnson has been training with Jeff Mayweather, Floyd’s uncle, of the Maywea... Tue, 27 Nov 2012 20:54:10 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/tyson_fury_vs_kevin_johnson_wbc_title_eliminator_on_saturday/12309310 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/tyson_fury_vs_kevin_johnson_wbc_title_eliminator_on_saturday/12309310 Tyson Fury vs. Kevin Johnson WBC title eliminator on Saturday http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/tyson_fury_vs_kevin_johnson_wbc_title_eliminator_on_saturday/12309310 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png By the time I became aware of boxing, Muhammad Ali was a mere shell of his former self, plodding through bouts with Leon Spinks, Larry Holmes and Trever Berbick. It would be much later when I truly understood the legend behind the man. Now, as he celebrates his 70th birthday this Jan. 17, there has been somewhat of an effort to downplay his importance to the sport and as a pop culture icon, a sort of backlash to the waves of positive, feel-good press that Ali has enjoyed for the last several years. But I remember the Ali who was not the poster boy for all things noble. I remember the fighter who drew the ire of fans and, in some circles, was a truly hated figure. Among my circle of relatives and friends old enough to remember the prime Ali, you'd be hard-pressed to find a kind word about him. It was in spite of this attitude that I came to admire Muhammad Ali, both as a man and a fighter. Sure, the man had his defects and counted serial infidelity and some ugly political leanings among his greatest h Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:25:43 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/happy_birthday_to_ali_a_true_champ/9405656 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/happy_birthday_to_ali_a_true_champ/9405656 Happy birthday to Ali, a true champ http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/happy_birthday_to_ali_a_true_champ/9405656 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/2/f26e33dbcbe8e4048e1f711f29a14aa40f48698b/mini/WBAWBCIBF_Welterweight_Championship_6fb2.jpg Muhammad Ali is expected to arrive in Philadelphia as soon as Friday to attend funeral services for Joe Frazier. Ali and Larry Holmes will be among the mourners for Frazier, the former world amateur and pro boxing champ who died from liver cancer on Monday, aged 67. Ali and Frazier had a stormy relationship but made amends in recent years. Public viewings of Frazier's body will take place at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center on Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Frazier's funeral service is set for Nov. 14 at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church at 11:00am, with a viewing beforehand. Frazier was the first man to beat Muhammad Ali, knocking him down and taking a decision in the so-called Fight of the Century in 1971. He would go on to lose two more fights to Ali, including the epic "Thriller in Manila" bout. Frazier was bitter for many years about the way Ali treated him then. More recently, he said he had forgiven Ali for repeatedly taunting him. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:00:31 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/ali_expected_to_attend_fraziers_funeral/8015044 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/ali_expected_to_attend_fraziers_funeral/8015044 Ali expected to attend Frazier's funeral http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/ali_expected_to_attend_fraziers_funeral/8015044 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/7/779f4f70263b5d675fcd045cf474990a55e1ed88/mini/Hearts_For_Hope_0691.jpg Boxing legend Larry Holmes said he felt like he was in a cloud when he heard the news that former heavyweight... Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:56:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/larry_holmes_remembers_joe_frazier/7989193 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/larry_holmes_remembers_joe_frazier/7989193 Larry Holmes remembers Joe Frazier http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/larry_holmes_remembers_joe_frazier/7989193 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/0/803be32c82e50be3643ac40781d87ebd92ec2073/mini/Holyfield_V_Holmes_9a36.jpg