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I had been going to Larry Holmes's gym for about 6 months, Larry is just like one of the guys in the gym for the most part, and is in about 3 times a week on average. Well, I was having some trouble with my footwork, and my trainer (Larry's son-in-law) was really working with me on that every time I was in there. Larry had been watching us the one day, and came up into the ring with us. He told me to get into my fighting stance, I did. He then told me to follow him and move forward in my footwork. It was all screwed up. He adjusted it until it was right. He then told me to go backwards, I screwed that all up too, and he adjusted that until it was right. Then came the side to side and basic rythm movements. I was doing horrible at those. He was in the ring with me for about half an hour trying to teach me and show me how to do the basics of footwork. I wasn't making much progress and Larry gave up for the day. He thew his arms into the air and said "Man.....you gotta get some rythm, keep working, and all at once it will come." That was a little over 2 years ago, and since then my footwork has improved a lot, and like he said it will just come all of a sudden. I still have no rythm (I'm white so I doubt I ever will) but I've gotten basic footwork down.

About a year and a half ago a guy walked into the gym all mouthy saying he was the best in there, and that he could take anyone in the whole gym. My trainer knew who he was and he was an ex lightheavy with a decent record and at one point was in the top 25. He was still in good shape but he was nuts (drugs got to him) and he could still fight. Larry walked in and the guy instantly started pestering him and mouthing off saying things as "I don't care if you're Larry Holmes or not, you're old now and I can kick your ass." Larry did his best to ignore the guy. Larry made his way to his back room (which is private unless he's no in there and a trainer takes you in to weigh you) and he did whatever he does to warm up back there. He came out and started to shaddowbox a little, and he was clearly annoyed that the person was still mouthing off to everyone. The guy once again confronted Larry, this time Larry had enough of it. They exchanged words and it was starting to get heated. Little me was just jumping rope about 5 feet away as these two big men (the guy was around 6'2 and built like Evander Holyfield) were yelling at eachother and cursing eachother out. The guy finally said (as they were nose to nose) "You wanna take this up into the ring old man?" Larry responded "Why the **** would I take you into the ring to kick your ass when I can drop you right here?" the guy backed down and left with his tail behind his legs.

Last year my dad and I were sitting on his trucks tail gate outside of the gym, and we saw some rustling in the bushes. We watched thinking a squirl or bird would come out. To our surprise, a man jumped out and started throwing punches at the air and singing. My dad and I sat there watching in amusement, then the guy shouted "IT'S MUHAMMAD ALI!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE HAVE TO TAKE THE PUERTO RICAN FLAG TO HIM!!!!!!!!!" and started marching down the road singing the tune he was singing. My dad and I were like :blood ..........................................:rofl . Soon after my trainer pulled in and opened the gym up. About 20 minutes later the nut came walking into the gym wanting to sign up. My trainer gave him the form and such and told him where to sign and write the date. The guy wrote his name and signed the year 2005. This was in 2007. My trainer told him that it was 2007, and the guy said BS. My trainer and him argued and the guy finally changed it. The person then walked right over to the "Wall of fame" and started talking to the pictures. 2 months later he said he was moving to Ohio and we haven't seen him since.

 

great posts guys!

 

He's a very down to Earth, nice guy. He gives back to the community and looks out for the kids. His nice side goes away in buisness though, then he's a pain in the ass from what I've seen and heard.