Larry Holmes

• WBC Heavyweight Champion (1978-1983)
• The Ring Heavyweight Champion (1980-1985)
• IBF Heavyweight Champion (1983-1985)

Larry Holmes is a former professional boxer. He grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania, which gave birth to his boxing nickname, The Easton Assassin. Larry, whose left jab is considered one of the greatest weapons in the history of sports, was the BC Heavyweight Champion from 1978 to 1983, The Ring Heavyweight Champion from 1980 to 1985, and the IBF Heavyweight Champion from 1983 to 1985.

Larry turned professional on March 21, 1973, winning a four-round decision against Rodell Dupree. Early in his career, he worked as a sparring partner for Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Earnie Shavers, and Jimmy Young. His first gained credibility as a contender when he upset the hard-punching Earnie Shavers in March 1978. Larry won by a lopsided twelve-round unanimous decision, winning every round on two scorecards and all but one on the third. His victory over Shavers set up a title shot between him and WBC Heavyweight Champion Ken Norton in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 9, 1978.

Throughout his career, he made twenty successful title defenses, second only to Joe Louis' twenty-five. Larry won his first forty-eight professional bouts, almost matching Rocky Marciano's streak of 49 straight wins, including victories over Ken Norton, Muhammad Ali, Gerry Cooney, and Marvis Frazier. He is frequently ranked by many boxing experts as one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of all time.