The Fighting Life: Larry Holmes, "Cooney had me hurt, but didn't realize it"
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- Опубликовано: 29 май 2023
- Larry Holmes is considered one of the greatest heavyweight champions in history. In this interview the Hall-of-Famer talks about sparring with Muhammad Ali, and later fighting him. He also talks about his epic fights with Ken Norton and Gerry Cooney. #larryholmes #muhammadali #gerrycooney #kennorton #boxing #boxinghistory #thefightinglife
Larry was a great champion. He never dodged any fight. Fought clean. Class act
Best heavyweight jabbers ever
#1 Larry Holmes
#2 Wladimir Klitschko
#3 Vitali Klitschko
#4 Cassius Clay
#5 Lennox Lewis
I’m an ‘80s kid so this was the heavy champ i knew. Larry Holmes was a legend. He was very underrated. He was a dedicated husband, father, and family man. What more could one ask for in a man?
Absolutely correct! Great fighter and a great guy.
I was born in 1973 so yeah...this dude was Champ like my entire grade school years, my dad watched all the fights and was a Holmes fan as was i.
@@seansimms8503 We’re a year apart so that sounds bout right. My family all sat around when a Holmes fight came on. He was big news back then.
Unlike Evander Holyfield. FIVE kids born out of wedlock to four women. I like Holyfield as a boxer but, not outside of that.
@@generic53 ...I liked middleweight/first moved up to Heavyweight Holyfield, manufactured Heavyweight they called him cause he packed on so much muscle getting to Heavyweight, his fight against George was legendary and I was pulling for George, the shots George took from him and didn't go down showed me how tough that old big out of shape guy really was, I swear Holyfield nailed him with some mean 5, 6, 7 shot combos and the SOB wobbled but refused to go down, amazing...mind you these combos were all flush landing and to George's face, he looked like $hit but made it.
One of the all time greats that never got his just dues. Personally, I think Holmes had the greatest jab of any heavyweight fighter in history.
His jab was a power punch
Best in the business
Foreman’s was more powerful, but Larry’s was much faster, more bizzy.
I’m not a boxing historian but from what I seen, that jab he had was the best ever
He gets his due from me and definitely perfected the jab. Got screwed out of tying, maybe surpassing Rocky Marciano's 49-0 record. #Politics #Politicking
@@DWeb0414 he definitely got screwed on that fight against Michael spinks.
I was very impressed by how Holmes survived the knockdown by Shavers. Few other heavyweights had the powers of recuperation that he had. Holmes is criminally underrated.
He actually had been knocked out, but was revived after he hit the ground.
Holmes was only Kod once by Mike Tyson and he was past it
@johntoomey4480 Well, he had come out of retirement and was much older by then.
Remember though, his attempted uppercut was blocked by the ropes, as he aimed wrong.
I think people doubt Larry's chin because of the end of his career when he probably went on too long, he was well capable of surviving bombs from hard hitters like Shavers/Cooney etc.
I don’t know how he got up. Larry was great champ
Larry would have been a tough night for any heavyweight that ever lived. He was a great champ.
Can you imagine Holmes and Wilder boxing?!?!
@@bayareaknight3134 That would be awesome. But of course my money is on Holmes.
@@GrubKiller436 I just put that out there. I don't think Wilder can actually box. Like Holmes said the jab isn't taught anymore and poor Wilder hasn't learned how to jab...smh.
Except for one, apparently.
Mike used him like a heavy bag.
@@tonym2513 Get real. Larry was old and past his prime by then. My statement alluded to a prime Larry Holmes being a tough night for any heavyweight ever. I stand by that.
He sounds and speaks better than 99% of boxers half his age. Happy to see it.
Arguably the most beautiful jab in the heavyweight division
It is not an understatement that Larry had one of, if not, the best heavyweight jab. It was glorious.
IMHO, the best jab though was Big George Foreman. Someone said it was like getting hit with a tree trunk.
And a guy they called the bear😊
Jeb ? His jab was like a straight right man goodnight Irene.... Better than the man he learned it from Ali
@@generic53I'll give you a thumbs up Boss but I have to disagree looks like splitting hairs but I remember watching homes jab just determined the whole outcome of the fight
A lot of youngsters don't realize how good this guy could box. He beat Ray Mercer easily after Mercer destroyed Tommy Morrison. He was 42 years old at that time. He then fought a prime Evander Holyfield and gave him a good fight later that same year.
Tommy got caught in the ropes Tommy beat razor Riddick all these guys were bad ass
Holmes' opponents knew they'd been hit when they fought Larry Holmes. He was a great champ.
@@r.o.y8940 Tommy was gonna get knocked out anyways… I can tell you’re white, by that excuse you used..
@Sheha Nagaraj you know the amazing thing is that Holme's best weapon, his jab, was shot. He beat Mercer with ring experience and ring savvy.
The depth of the Heavyweight Division in the 1970s was amazing.
A great guy. A real gentleman who represents boxing in a positive😂 way.
Norton, Frazier, Shavers, Foreman, Holmes and Ali.... absolute Titans..
A great era of boxing
And Ron Lyle wasn’t to bad either.
Norton vs Holmes for the title in an incredible fight. Watch it on youtube. Larry won a split decision in an extremely close fight. An all time great fight.
Also Bob Foster, Jerry Quarry, Ron Lyle, Jimmy Young, George Chuvallo,
A few years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Larry & his lovely wife, very classy people, kind and warm. Larry Holmes is a great champion, when it got tough in the ring Larry got tougher, mark of true grit & the heart of a lion.
he is One of the best fighters of all time. I respect him.♥️
Absolutely the Most Under- Spoken about as being one the best heavyweight Champions ever. Let ok at his record.
Larry Holmes is the most underrated Heavyweight Champion of all time.
I finally get to see the mellow side of Larry Holmes. I urge all you younger fans to please check out this fighter. Possibly the most underappreciated heavyweight champion ever.
Why does everyone say Holmes is underappreciated? I've never seen a top ten heavyweights of all time list without his name on it.
@@HopyHop1 Hopefully he's catching back up with the general public. Back then, though, public opinion was pretty set against him--though not the good sportswriters. Holmes made a lot of bitter remarks from not getting his due, especially after that debacle against Michael Spinkis.
Absolutely , beyond a shadow of a doubt , one of the Best Heavyweights to Ever lace em' up !
Met and partied with Larry Holmes also met Earnie Shavers two great warriors! RIP Earnie!
Sounds like he is a humble man who worked hard, and was more talented than he wants to brag about. “Big” George Foreman also said that Cooney was one of the hardest hitting boxers he fought in his life, there’s a trend here about Cooney and Shavers. You need more than a heavy hand to be the best of the best in boxing. Respect to all of them !
What a great interview… Holmes speaks from his heart and doesn’t even talk about his greatness…
He gives credit to other fighters and makes us appreciate his candor with a look into how he became Champ.
Very good to see him so sharp and aware in his retirement, unlike so many fighters. Good job, champ!
As under appreciated as Holmes was a fighter, he was even more so as a man and personality. One of the rare guys who kept and possibly grew his money. Still as witty and sharp-minded as he always was.
Great interview with a great Heavyweight Champion, and a fine human being- true integrity and guts-still clear and true.
How can anyone not love Larry Holmes.........class act all the way.
I wouldn't say Larry was a class act but no modern era heavyweight could carry his jock other than Tyson.
@@Bklyn2SoCal Actually he was.......and still is. The only reason you'd say that is if you have some agenda.
@Galatian No agenda, just my opinion let me explain. I definitely have love for Larry & have always admired 'the greatest jab in the history of the division'. He was a beast. As an older, wiser Larry, I'd say he's a classic act now.... he has a great understanding of his journey, of how he stacks up against his peers & he seems like a genuinely, nice, warm dude. Ahaun IMO, it was a different story when he was fighting. I'm curious so please be real, we're you implying my agenda must be race? I can't imagine what else it could be.
@@Bklyn2SoCal You do realize the word agenda can mean many things, right? Funny, how race is the first thing you bring up. And yet, still no reason why Larry isn't a class act being listed by you. Also, Tyson was a flash in the pan who never won a big fight after the split with Kevin Rooney. Lewis and Holyfield were better fighters although Holyfield was dirty(headbutts). Tyson had the talent to be the best ever but pissed it away.
@Galatian Slow your roll Mr Agenda, the only reason I brought up race is because boxing fans are notorious for that sh_t. (Leftists are also but that's a convo for another video 😁). Again I like Larry & have been a fan for years but when he was a young cat Larry was a far cry from classy. It's clear you & I define class differently, so you do you & I'll kick you down just this: When Larry was young he was disingenuous & full of himself, but the tacky street dude grew up. (I can relate). Now I know class comes in different flavors (so restrain yourself from the need to straighten me out) & he has come a long way from being the young cocky boxer who beat an old Ali. On the Tyson thing, I hear the final bell ring on our bout so may the force be with you. ✌️
Many champs have gotten the short end of the stick like Hagler, Holmes is one of them.
The great thing is that he was a legend in the ring and had the brains to set himself up well in spite of not profiting rom his boxing career compared to others.
Larry Holmes is a hero. On top of the heroics in the ring he is humble and wise. He is a great role model of success.
He leveraged a modest earnings for his craft into an empire.
Tremendous mental energy to win against anyone, anytime, anywhere. Superb boxer with tremendous stamina and quickness.
Would Give Fury serious competition
Holmes had great heart and will to win never gave up
As a young boxing fan back then I always thought Larry was top 10 of all time. Just a very intelligent fighter And extremely tough. I believe the press and media caused some anger for Larry but I hope he knows the fans knew the truth of his greatness.
Larry was an old school fighter. He wasn't out there to impress the press. He just didn't have the mouth that Ali had and they didn't know what to do with someone that wasn't even going to try. Any time I've ever seen someone interview him that wasn't antagonistic he's always class.
Larry is GOAT
Not just top 10. Top 5 for sure!
The problem was that he was coming to the stage on the heels of the greatest heavyweight boxing era in history, and he was the anti-Ali when it came to likability. Then he tried to be cocky and braggadocios like Ali but he came off arrogant and abrasive. On top of that the competition was nowhere near what it was the decade before, as it was for Tyson, and he fought a lot of the great fighters past their prime. There was just a myriad of circumstances that caused him to be underrated, but his talent was real. I would not say Top 10 though.
Larry NEVER got the credit he deserved. He was indeed one of the best EVER. What a classy guy!
This was pure gold. I absolutely love watching a class legend talking about legends having legendary experiences together!
This is pure gold. Its fantastic to hear these stories from a legend. There were so many tough american heavyweights in this era.
Great interview with an outstanding champion who has been humble and successful in everything he does. Tremendous boxer and very honest, to the point.
Larry is a great and successful fighter but I would not call him humble.
@@briankaren604 Yes, at times he said some brash expressions in relation to being underestimated. He didn’t set out to world champion; he simply believed he had a chance to compete. He studied his craft and worked hard. He knew his worth and believed in himself, same as in business. You can hear his tone of true humility when he talks about his successes.
@@briankaren604Haha, was thinking the same thing. That guy obviously doesnt know Larry Holmes. He does seem to have mellowed a bit in old age, because I dont think at the time, he would ever admit Cooney hurt him. Maybe I missed an interview then and he said so, but I doubt it.
Larry has everyone saying "he never got his just dues" but he was the Heavyweight champ 7 or 8 years, and is in the International Boxing HOF.
so not only do real boxing fans know how great he was, but even the average sports fan also knows how great he was.
I agree that he was one of the greatest. The reason many people think he's underrated and overlooked is because he had the misfortune to come between Ali and Tyson.
@@dustylover100 Yes but the career is just incredible. Holding the title that long with killers in the division. Shavers, Norton, Witherspoon, Cooney, on and on. Stylistically he would have beat Foreman like Ali and Jimmy Young did.
@@kingtyomama6564Agreed. He wasnt blue blooded, or particularly charismatic or handsome as Ali, so I think that hurt him in terms of him getting the credit he deserved. And look, its impossible to compete with the days of Ali, Foreman, and Frazier in terms of depth of the heavyweight division, but I think some felt that division had fallen a lot, and that Larry wasnt tested as much as those other guys, to get to 48-0.
Talking shit on Rocky Marciano doesnt help either lol.
I grew up watching Holmes as champ; greatest left jab; still quick today! Glad he's still got most of his faculties and wisely invested his monies.
Glad to see you're doing well Larry.
Excellent interview with a really good guy, right there. I've only seen a few interviews with him, but based on what I have he seems like such a nice man who's humble and appreciative of the legends (and friends) he was in the ring with, as well as his own successes. Bless his heart, I hope he's doing well. 👍
Larry is so humble, despite his greatness and accomplishments. Real Champion of boxing 🥊. I hope to meet him in person one day.
I still can't believe he got up from that Shavers punch. Larry was so resilient. One of the greatest ever !
He said Shavers KO'ed him but when his head hit the canvas he came too. You can see how he fell he was asleep.
People forget he recovered from a shot from Renaldo Snipes that would put most men in the hospital as well!
Larry went 48-0 at the beginning of his career.....one short of Rocky Marcian'os record of 49-0. A tremenodus defensive and offensive fighter. Maybe the best head movement ever. Always stayed simple and humble. Glad to sing he is aging gracefully.
yea your are right, that head be moving like the cookie monster !lol but his jab was like a high powered rifle!
The "powers that be" won't let Rocky Marciano's record B broken w/o a knockout.
@@1968doggdidn't Floyd break it
@@nippahut You got that right. He just frustrated the hell out of his opponents. They couldn't get close or he would tag them with that unstoppable snake of a jab, and they coudln't hit him because his head was never in the same place for more than a split second. His body was thick and he could take those body blows, and if you did get through his defense, he just tied you up with those strong arms...a simple combination, but really effective. He was still winning matches in his FIFTIES!
@@jw-vx8im No, we mean in heavyweight. There are records that are 49-0 in other weight divisions. But we're speaking specifically heavyweight.
Holmes the best jabber in boxing history
Any man that gets knocked down by Earnie Shavers and gets up and beat him is a superb athlete.
best heavyweight jab ever!
I saw some of Larry's first few pro fights in person. No one had any idea he would be champ then. Glad to see he hasn't been damaged by the sport, especially since he made comebacks and had several fights when he was over 40.
I was one of Larry's sparring partners in his comeback.
Always gave out $$ bonuses for good sparring sessions, $10,000 if we could knock him down.
I knocked him down once and he paid me and let me go the next day. He said he was too old to get beat up. Lol.
Great guy, top-tier champ.
I saw Mr. Holmes fight in Atlantic City Sept. 10 1983 and his jab has to be the most underrated punch in all of boxing.
Personally, my favorite fighter of all time ..... I still can't believe I cried like the biggest baby when he lost his belt ... 'Kiss Where the Sun Don't Shine'
I CAN'T SEE WHERE SPINKS BEAT HIM I THINK THE LOSS CAME FROM ANIMOSITY FOR THE REMARK HE MADE ABOUT ROCKY JUDGES DID"NT LIKE THAT
😂😂😂
one of my favorite fighters grew up watching all his fights ali,holmes, and hearns can do no wrong in my book
I remember people talking him down as having no heart, being dumb, etc…but he’s the one who took Earnie Shavers best shot full on and got up, he’s the one who built a nice house in 1978 and stayed in it, he’s the one who hung on to his money.
I still don't know how in the hell he got up after that Shavers' blow. And to go on and beat him impressively. Amazing.
I don't remember anyone saying he was dumb
Awesome fighter. Had to follow Muhammad Ali...a very tough act to follow. He looks and sounds great.
I can listen to Larry Holmes talk forever.
I had a chance to visit Larry. We spent about 20 minutes chatting and taking pictures. He signed a glove for me. He is a real fine person. A really kind person. A great family man. A true champ in and outside the ring.
One of the all-time greats and a piece of living history.
The Easton Assassin, what a jab and that fight with Norton is the best heavyweight prize fight of the 70s. This cat could box!
Great interview. Very humble.
I once disdained him as a racist but recent videos he has done has changed my thoughts. The guys a good guy. I liked when he sailed over the car that night with his glasses on. I have always called large glasses like that larry Holmes glasses. It did hurt me when Ken Norton lost his title. Norton remains a great American like Holmes does. I totally loved it when Holmes said God don’t like ugly. Absolute classic.
Holmes never age. He haven't aged since the early 80s and that alone is legendary.
Much Respect and Love to Larry Holmes. He was straight up Warrior and one of the GREATS. TRUE CHAMPION!!!
I love you brother, and you're still looking good man. oh yeah, that "Jab" was awesome!
Larry Holmes was a great champion and a class act.
He is one of the greatest boxers and had a huge heart. Last great one!!!
Larry was a great champion. 7 yr run as champion. "Ain't no stoppin us now"
Great interview. He definitely kept all his marbles. Thanks for all the memories Champ
I love Larry. Nice job by interviewer here by letting Holmes answer each question in full.
Larry Holmes is a honest man and seems to be grounded very well!
Not only one of the greatest but, also a super nice guy. I had the honor of meeting him and talking to him for a bit a couple years ago. I never realized that he was such a cool dude.
Growing up in the 70’s & 80’s, Ali was considered the greatest, but Holmes seemed to be champion for ages. His run of 48-0 is incredible.
“Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” - Larry’s classic theme song
You can tell he's a good dude. My neighbor was a cousin of his. GOD bless and keep Larry Holmes in the name of JESUS CHRIST.
Definitely the most underrated Heavyweight Champion in boxing history. Ive always believed the beating he put on Ali (well past his prime) as well as the beat down he got from Tyson overshadows how good a boxer he was.
I was always very impressed with Larry Holmes as a boxer. Now I'm impressed with him as a person. A real gentleman.
Holmes honestly one of my favorite HW champs ever. He had the tools and the heart to be a legitimate threat to any HW of the last 200 years
Holmes was the first champion I remember.
He’s a class act.
He’s not just underrated he’s one of the best ever.
A great champion. I'm glad he has his faculties and that's proof he had good defenses and reflexes so as not to get hit . We love ya, champ
Larry had a wonderful gift as a fighter, he could take a punch, move and had a great agile footwork, and was always a strong presence in the ring no matter who he fought. His jab and speed of his left hand was really just incredible and i think that he wasn't fair how he was kind of brushed aside in terms of how great he truly was because of the way boxing critics, media and yes even fans. Unfortunately, his rise was during the end of the Ali era, and at that time everyone was really just in kind of a grief-like state about Ali's retirement but what people don't realize is that this legendary fighter proved to the world in the ring that he was there for a good reason because he was heavyweight champion from 1978 - 1985! I mean that is a feat in itself alone to be champion for that length of time, let alone during that time period when there were so many great fighters coming up during that time and challenging Holmes. Larry you were a wonderful fighter and truly are one of the greatest heavyweights to ever put on a pair of gloves!
Larry Holms is showing a different person than I always thought he was. Most of the media portrays a completely different person. I always admired his fighting skills. One of the greatest ever. His record proves it.
Larry Holmes had the absolute best left jab of all the heavyweights since the 60s, the best heavyweight jab ever, he even knocked one guy out with a left jab. My hero.
i always thought Larry was a great fighter but I didn't know what a great human being he is. His honesty and humanity is even greater. Wow! Just WOW! I agree with every good comment made about him. I was a privilege to have watched him fight and listen to him now.
Saw all his fights. Super smooth so intelligent in the ring. One of the all time GREAT champions. All heart and class.
Can you imagine Larry fought Norton, shavers, Ali and hung around long enough to fight Mike tyson? Truly amazing
One of the greats!
2:43 Interesting how Larry Holmes learned from Muhammad Ali just from observation and paying attention rather than being coached.
Larry Holmes had so much heart. Nobody forgets when he got up from a picture perfect punch from the hardest puncher ever Earnie Shavers.
One of the top 5 heavyweights of all time, The Easton Assassin 👍🏼👍🏼
What a gracious man. Great champion and a good man. Impressive.
he's right about that stinging whip jab. You never see it today.
Just check his stats, Larry was one of the best heavyweight 's ever period.
He lived the life of a real professional, his priority was to give his family a good life .
The glamour & glitter came after that.
This was a boxer with real hart and discipline.
When you put all those ingrediënts in a cooking bowl you have the perfect recepy for a champion
He is a good man!
I started watching boxing around the time of Holmes/Witherspoon. Glad to see that guys like Larry, Tim, Gerry Cooney seem to be well and happy. I saw some video of Oliver Mcall too and he seems well.
I know people crap on the 80s heavies as the "lost generation", but compared to 2000-2015, it was golden.
Great interview! Good questions. The interviewer did a good job. Larry Holmes was articulate and honest.
One of the best champions in boxing history and a real gentleman, Larry Holmes.
A very honest, from the heart portrayal of his fights and relationship with other fighters
Great storytelling!
great fighter. better man!
Larry Holms has earned his place in history as one of boxing all time greats.his record is astonishing to sey the least
Most underrated champion ever. Beat everyone but just not likeable by many. Proved many wrong
I always loved watching Larry "The Easton Assassin" Holmes fight. Definitely one of the greatest if not the greatest heavyweight champion of all time.
LARRY HOLMES AMERICAN BOXING ROYALTY THANK YOU
Genuine good guy and a class act ,,, and I bet he still has a great JAB! Nice to see him and Jerry both doing well and enjoying life after all they’ve been through. Many people look up to both men.
Good interview!
Pure class
LH is totally underrated. A good guy and a smart champ. That's why he held the title for so long.
You can see the real and raw emotion in Larry s eyes as he discusses the past. No faking now or when he fought I remember driving thru a snowstorm toward Atlantic City to arrive early and see the whole card An old streetfighter like myself wants to see the whole card
I wanted to see Larry ko Tyson in the Main Event My Dad was going to go with me but I had good seats
In round FOUR Larry came rolling out snapping that jab and strutting and I thought Tyson was a gonner
Recently some guy came up to the bar where I was drinking by myself and minding my own business I never saw this guy and ge starts off by asking me if I ever fought and "Who do u think was the greatest boxer/.heavyweight of all time?" I hate that question because no man is great at anything period
Since the bareknuckle days there have been many good boxers In the 70s Holmes was one of the good ones
No one is great at ANYTHING? What kind of stupid statement is that?
I love this interview!!! I've not heard Holmes speak about his career before and what a great way to get his thoughts on key moments in his boxing career and other topics. 🙂
Larry Holmes was Heavy weight champ from 78-85. That was impressive! Great jab!
WOW, what a cool man. Larry you are one cool cat!