Boxing News

Larry Holmes spent much of his career fighting for recognition, yet his achievements place him among the greatest heavyweights. One of 12 children, Holmes left school in the seventh grade to help support his family. He learned his craft alongside Ali and Joe Frazier, then built a championship reign that lasted seven years. Even after his peak, his jab and ring intelligence continued to trouble younger, more powerful opponents. Emerging from Muhammad Ali’s shadow, the former sparring partner defeated Ken Norton over 15 extraordinary rounds in 1978 to win the WBC title. Armed with a punishing jab, sharp instincts and formidable courage, he became the division’s dominant figure. Victories over Earnie Shavers, Mike Weaver, Trevor Berbick, Leon Spinks and Gerry Cooney confirmed his quality. But beating a diminished Ali in 1980 did little to win public affection, while competing titleholders complicated his claim to universal recognition. Holmes reached 48-0 before losing to Michael Spinks in 1985. Defeat in their rematch prompted retirement, but money tempted him back to face Mike Tyson in 1988. Underprepared, he was stopped in four rounds. His later comeback offered a fairer measure of his enduring ability. In his forties, Holmes outsmarted unbeaten Ray Mercer and extended Evander Holyfield and Oliver McCall through world title challenges. He finally retired in 2002 with a 69-6 record, including 44 stoppages. “Sometimes you have to stop being angry at the world and appreciate what you done,” he reflected. Holmes’ greatest victory, perhaps, was learning to appreciate his own career. He turns 77 today. Happy birthday, champ.

Gennady Golovkin retained his WBA middleweight title by stopping Curtis Stevens after eight rounds at Madison Square Garden’s WaMu Theater #OnThisDay in 2013. A left hook dropped Stevens in the second round, but the challenger recovered and briefly rallied in the fourth. Golovkin gradually took control, punishing Stevens with jabs, uppercuts and body shots before trainer Andre Rozier stopped the contest. “He had a chip on his shoulder and wanted to hurt Curtis,” said Golovkin’s trainer Abel Sanchez. The victory improved Golovkin’s record to 28-0 with 25 stoppages. After the fight, he called out Sergio Martinez.