Why didn't Larry Holmes unify any titles back in the early 80'es? Were the other champs scared, was it both sides that preferred it or was it a money thing?
The Coetzee fight was actually signed at one point, and fell through I think because of injury to Jerry. Too bad, it would have been a great fight. Larry would have one of course, but when Coetzee showed up to fight and his right hand was healthy, he was a hell of a fighter.
Let me give the good oil.... Holmes and Tate were on a collision course for unification when Tate was upset by Weaver. Holmes had already beat Weaver prior and it would take some building up and there were plenty of politics to get around per the two factions. Weaver made it hard by turning near invisible. A victory over Cooney would have made unification inevitable IMO. Dokes beat Weaver and was managed by Don's son Carl. Holmes would have VERY likely beaten Dokes and left them with a near retired champion and a damaged supposed successor - wasn't going to happen. Holmes - Coetzee almost happened but loads of **** went down etc, especially money wise. And on a last note i say an old Holmes totally avoided Pinklon Thomas - he admitted as much.
Holmes did the opposite of unification. He turned a situation of having two largely-recognized titles into the situation of having THREE ! He more or less made the IBF, gave them overnight legitimacy.
When did Holmes admit he was ducking Pinklon Thomas. Anyone have any articles on that? Thomas basically beat Witherspoon and quickly lost to Berbick and never made it back to the top. Holmes was all ready old at that point.
I think by that time Holmes picked Spinks instead of Thomas. Aging champions do not have time ot face everyone.
Look post Cooney Holmes was 33 plus and definately became more calculating on who he was going to fight. He did not fight Coetzee, Page, Dokes, Thomas or Tubbs but in many ways it was easy not to as they kept losing to each other. However, even post-Cooney he did fight and defeat Witherspoon, Smith, Bey and Williams ...
How many times is Coetezee going to get brought up? For the 20th time, they signed to fight and it got called off shortly before fight night. That's one of the reasons Holmes was only able to get in 1 title defence in 1984. Here is the poster that was made for the fight: This content is protected
The influence of Don King, who could make more money with the titles splintered, and the fact that the WBA champs had a rotation for a 2-3 year period, ruined any chance for unification.