Panel: What was Larry Holmes’ best performance?

Robert Smith
British Boxing Board of Control

The one that stands out for me is the Ken Norton fight in 1978, the last round in particular. The noble art went out of the window as they slugged it out in one of the best and most exciting rounds in boxing history. What I also remember about Larry is his astonishing recuperative powers โ€“ how he got up from the knockdowns against Renaldo Snipes and Earnie Shavers Iโ€™ll never know.

Mike Costello
Commentator and journalist

His second win against Earnie Shavers โ€“ in 1979 โ€“ showed so much of what made Holmes a great champion. His rally from the knockdown in the seventh round was one of the all-time amazing recoveries. Before and after the blip, he dominated with a performance built typically behind a left jab almost unrivaled in the history of the heavyweight division.

Nigel Collins
Hall of Fame writer

Holmesโ€™ split decision over Ken Norton for the WBC heavyweight title was both the hardest fight of his prime and the best performance of his career. Holmes built an early lead but after the fifth round it turned into an incredible war, with one furious exchange after another. Norton had closed the gap by the start of 15th but lost another astonishing brutal round and the fight.

Billy Graham
Former trainer

Holmes was a great fighter who was underappreciated because he followed the likes of Ali, Frazier and Foreman. Hard to name just one performance but the Gerry Cooney fight stands out for me. I watched it live on closed-circuit in Manchester. I thought Cooney had a chance, what a left hook he had, but in Larry Holmes he was taken apart by a complete fighter.

Read our special interview with Larry Holmes HERE

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