Larry Holmes was a true force to be reckoned with in the prime years of his career. With 44 knockouts to his name, he was an elite finisher.
Holmes retired after an unlikely boxing match with Butterbean in 2002. However, by that stage, he had already established himself as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
The former champion was able to go toe-to-toe with greats such as Muhammad Ali, Gerry Cooney, and Mike Tyson. However, Holmes’ career was turned upside down in a shock defeat.
Larry Holmes lost his world title and unbeaten record to Michael Spinks
In May 1985, Holmes won his 20th world title fight in a row after he defeated Carl Williams. The winning streak would make his professional record 48-0, as well as picking up the WBC, IBF, and Ring Magazine world titles.
Aiming to win his 49th professional fight four months later, Holmes would welcome a challenge from Michael Spinks, as the two contested the IBF and Ring Magazine World Heavyweight titles.
However, it was not to be for Holmes. Although the fight was a closely contested one on the judges’ scorecards, Spinks would emerge the winner, dethroning Holmes.
Although Spinks had an impressive 27-0 record going into the bout, he was largely considered an underdog. This was due to Holmes’ dominance, but Spinks was also moving up a weight division from light heavyweight.
However, despite the bookmaker’s odds, Holmes would succumb to his first defeat, as the bout was named 1985’s ‘Upset of the Year’ by The Ring Magazine.
Larry Holmes was unable to avenge his loss to Michael Spinks
Given that Holmes was such a big favorite going into their first meeting, it might not come as a surprise that the two immediately rematched. In April 1986, Holmes and Spinks would meet again in Las Vegas.
However, the result would not be different.
Although the bout ended in a split decision, it would still go the way of Spinks, who retained his IBF and Ring Magazine World Heavyweight titles. Spinks would carry the titles for two more years until he lost via knockout to Tyson in 1988.
As for Holmes, he would be unable to reclaim a world title for the rest of his career.