Heavyweight legend Larry Holmes has taken on some of the biggest names in boxing.
The former world champion has shared the ring with the likes of Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, and Mike Tyson, some of the best heavyweights of all time.
Holding both the IBF and WBC World Heavyweight titles during a seven year period, Holmes was able to deliver incredible performances during the peak of his career.
However, despite being a true force in the ring, Holmes revealed that it was difficult for him when he had to fight one of his best friends.
Larry Holmes and Muhammad Ali fought despite being good friends
In an interview with GQ, Holmes revealed that Ali was a good friend and former sparring partner of his. However, they did have a world title fight in 1980.
Holmes said that he started sparring with Ali before he was a professional boxer, in 1971, and trained with the former champion for four years.
“We must have sparred a million rounds in that time, but the first time we got in the ring together he gave me a black eye. And I loved it! They tried to put ice on my eye to bring the swelling down, but I told them: “Nah, nah, nah. Muhammad Ali gave that to me and I want to show this one off!” Holmes said.
The period would even see Holmes help ‘The Greatest’ train for the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ as Ali faced George Foreman.
Although they stopped sparring with one another in 1975, their fight in 1980 was still described as being difficult by Holmes.
“Yes, it was really hard because he was my buddy. He was the guy that gave me a job. He was the guy that taught me how to fight. He helped me understand how to do things to an opponent to make them mad. I learned all of that from being with him all those years.”
Holmes would go on to describe his friend Ali as “beautiful and charming”, and revealed he visited the fighter after their bout, telling him “Ali, you know I love you. You’ve always been my man.” To which he said Ali replied; “If you loved me, why did you beat me up?”
Larry Holmes defeated Muhammad Ali via stoppage in 1980
Holmes fought Ali in October 1980 in Las Vegas, as the two competed for the WBC World Heavyweight title.
In what was a one-sided fight, Ali was bested by Holmes over 10 rounds, before the fight was stopped.
The fight would be the second last of Ali’s career, as he was 38 years old when he stepped into the ring to face Holmes. Meanwhile, a 30-year-old Holmes was at the peak of his powers.
Holmes would continue to fight for another 22 years. However, Holmes had an unorthodox fight against ‘Butterbean’ for his final professional outing.