When was the starting point of his reign: a) When Ali retired (sept. 1979) ? b) When he beat comebacking Ali (oct. 1980) ?
Neither Larry's reign started on June 9th 1978. Bollocks to the linear crap on this one. He was the best heavyweight in the world the night he beat Norton. Ali losing to Spinks in any way, shape or form eliminates him from being considered the heavyweight champion regardless of how the title belts were split.
Sorry, but Ali was still the heavyweight champion when he lost to Spinks. Doesn't matter what kind of quality fighter you consider Neon Leon to be, the fact remains is that he become the champ the moment he won the decision...And lost it when he faced Ali in the rematch. That being said, most people are inclined to recognize all of Holmes' title defenses on a retroactive basis, and I don't have any issue with doing that either. So I too would say, The Easton Assassin's reign does begin on the night he defeated Norton...Although universal recognition only comes on the night Weaver (whom Holmes had already defeated) kayoed WBA claimant Big John Tate.
