Why Didn't Larry Holmes Ever Unify The Title?

"Marciano was a young guy fighting old guys, I am an old guy fighting young guys".Larry Holmes.

Holmes was a pragmatist, he went through a lot to get the crown and once he had it, and a sizeable fortune to go with it, he decided he didn't want to risk it against the younger standout challengers, he was in his mid 30's and most of them were just entering their prime,but,if a concrete offer with big bucks, had been on the table,I belive Larry would have taken it.
Money didn't just talk to Larry ,it bellowed in his ear.

 

No, because Don King and Seth Abraham of HBO had decided on unifying the title in a series of hyped televised matches in early '86, and it wasn't until September of that year that Tyson was drafted into it (simply because he could not be ignored).

If Tyson hadn't been the one, someone else would have. People forget this, or just dont know the history. They assume Tyson unified so quickly just because he was so good, but really it was because everyone was contracted to Don King and HBO's plans to unifying the belts.

 

That's absolutely correct. The belt was unified when the top dogs who called all the shots felt that it was TIME to be unified, and every body was able to come to an agreement on the right business terms. Some of these guys around here still think that its the fighters who manufacture the making of multi-million dollar unification fights..

 

Frazier got $1 mill, Holmes $3.5 mill. Unless i'm going senile lol

 

Nice check for a short night's work.

 

Absolutely..

In only 19 wins, he defeated a larger percentage of quality fighters than most of the alphabet titlists of the period did, made as much or more money than some of them, and lost only to two all time greats... Frazier's career is underrated in my opinion.

 

I was wondering if it was just me who see's the generosity given to Holmes. The rematch to Weaver was a natural. I think a lot of these young guys don't realize that Weaver was a 19-8 trail horse who was KO'd a large % of his loses at the time of Holmes defense. Weaver almost upset Holmes(had him hurt several times) It was this fight that gave Weaver the confidence to win another title. Weaver said he would not feel like a champ until he beat Holmes but Larry wanted no part of him.

Larry had a pattern of fighting inexperience challengers in his defences. Larry preferred fights with under 20 fights under their belt lets look

Bonecrusher Smith 14-1

David Bey 14-0

Marvis Frazier 10-0

Ossie Ocasio 13-0 (I know he beat a fat big titted Young

Leon Spinks 10-2-2 ( yea Spinks had a win over Mercado(big deal ( he was KO'd by Coetzee in 1 and drew with Animal Lopez

Trevor Berbick 18-1-1

Tim Witherspoon 15-0 (disputed fight (Holmes never rematch ed

Carl Williams 16 fights (disputed decision (Holmes never re-matched)

Here are some with over 20 fights

Snipes 22-0 (got dropped 2 times by Coetzee in a corrupt decision manipulation

Tex Cobb 21-2

Alfredo Evangelista 23-2-1

Weaver 18-9 ( Weaver became a fighter and Champ after Holmes fight, he was the Rocky story) this fight was a natural

Odd but the fighters Holmes did not fight were all decent right hand punchers

Page (Holmes gave up a title not to fight Page(Page was erratic but Holmes still wanted no part of him) (I think Page had the style to beat Holmes even though I dont rate him high, there were many chances that Holmes could have fought him but was afraid of Pages style

Dokes good jab and hand speed, solid right hand and hook ( Dokes was a big heavyweight with hand speed and pop) He had a better chance than Carl Williams

Coetzee- Great right hand-one dimensional but the Best right hand puncher of the times on par with Shavers but rated higher at the time than Ernie but Gerrie had a solid chin

Thomas was known for his Jab but had a solid right hand and decent speed

Weaver, Mike was lucky to get a shot at Holmes after his tough 10 rd decision over small Bill Sharkey, Weaver surprised all staggering Holmes several times. The 19-8 trial horse became a much better fighter and Champion after the Holmes fight (rematch was a natural

It seems like the the only real all around experienced fight with over 25 fights was Michael Spinks ( although not much at Heavyweight) and Spinks beat him

I dont blame Larry for all but overall avoided quick handed, experienced fighters with good right hand power

Shavers had power but was very beatable,slow and lacked stamina, One of Holmes best wins

Cooney never fought past 8 rds (fought 2 rds in 2 years,This was still one of Holmes best wins

Norton, tough title fight one of Holmes best wins, Holmes never rematched

My problem with Larry is the overall picture. Avoided the best of his time (not all his fault but overall poor record here)
Larry never rematched a tough fight, Norton,Weaver,Witherspoon, Williams

 

Good post ...:thumbsup

 

Good post !:thumbsup

 

Long time ago, thought it was 1 million, in my frantic haste

 

Bonecrusher had just destroyed Frank Bruno on national television and the fight made sense for an old Holmes.

David Bey had just upset and cleanly defeated Greg Page, he was undefeated and considered a live under dog for this fight against a 35 year old Holmes.

Occassio had twice beaten Young.

Spinks was coming off his best ever post Ali win and also considered a live underdog for the fight.

Berbick had pummelled Page and upset former champ John Tate.

My point is that for most of these guys there is more to the story ...everyone knows Holmes basically had two reigns, pre and post Cooney ... after Cooney at 33 Holmes felt his oats after being jerked around forever and called his own shots ... in addition, there was no one around that stood out for a big fight. If there was Holmes would have taken it as Larry was always about money. At least he was fighting big, strong, young heavyweights, almost all of whom ended up as top contenders.

 

Holmes cannot be criticized for not rematching Norton or Williams. Ken would have gotten a second chance, and was expected to secure it, but then got crushed by Shavers, who did get the return go.

Williams was the final successful defense of Larry's reign, as Mike Spinks came next, so the lack of a rematch can be ignored here. Carl got crushed by Weaver early the next year, but eventually did get a second shot at the undisputed title, getting blasted out by Tyson in a minute and a half.

Although Weaver did surprise with a far better than expected showing against Holmes, this one was a decisive win with a conclusive ending. Ultimately, Larry needed just a single right hand to stop Mike twice.

No, Witherspoon did not get a rematch, but he did succeed Holmes as WBC titleholder less than a year later by decisioning Page. But when it came time to prove himself as a worthy successor, he promptly lost it to Thomas, who dropped it to Berbick within a year. Everybody who didn't get a shot at Holmes had an opportunity to establish himself as a viable rival titleholder, and they all failed miserably.

Does the end justify the means? Screw history. In retirement, Jack Sharkey was known as, "The Squire of Epping." (New Hampshire.) Larry is the King of Easton. He's not shining shoes at the Fountainbleau Hotel in Miami Beach like Beau Jack, nor is he a poster boy for elderly abuse like the rescued Jimmy Bivins. Would you rather be a sympathetic object of pity as a destitute and beloved tragedy and charity case, or a rich and happy, safe and secure icon with a reputation as a *****? From what I gather, Holmes has become something of a drunk, but at least he's a fat and happy drunk, not a homeless and starving one.

 

Good post.

 

One of the posters on this forum who goes by the screen name of Bill1234, lives in Pennsylvania and trains at Larry's gym.. He is a young fella, who is fighting as an amatuer.. He does occasionally get to chat with Holmes from time to time, and said that Friday afternoons are a designated drinking time for Larry.... Frankly, I enjoy ducking out of the office a little early on a sunny Friday around 3:30, to grab a few cold beers myself before starting the weekend with the wife and kid..... Can't say I am one to crticize..