Larry Holmes Record & Stats

Boxing Record

Career Summary

Larry Holmes' professional boxing career spanned more than 29 years — from 1973 to 2002.

Holmes made his debut against Rodell Dupree at the age of 23 on March 21, 1973, defeating Dupree via 4 round PTS. He went on to win 47 more consecutive fights after the debut, which included 34 wins via stoppage.

Holmes had his first world title fight at the age of 28 on June 9, 1978 after 27 professional fights, against Ken Norton for the heavyweight WBC title. He defeated Norton via 15 round split-decision to become the heavyweight champion of the world.

Holmes has won two world titles at heavyweight. He was elevated as world champion once. For all the details about Holmes' world title wins and defenses refer to "Larry Holmes World Titles".

Some of Holmes' best fights and notable victories include wins over two Hall-of-Famers (Muhammad Ali, Ken Norton), Leon Spinks, Marvis Frazier, Alfredo Evangelista, Mike Weaver, and Ossie Ocasio.

Larry Holmes had a total of six losses in his professional boxing career — five of them in title bouts and one in a non-title bout. He suffered his first loss against Michael Spinks via 15 round unanimous decision on September 21, 1985, which ended his 48-fight win streak. He has been stopped once and lost five times via decision. For more details about these defeats, refer to "All of Larry Holmes' losses".

His last professional fight was a non-title bout against fellow American boxer Eric Esch on July 27, 2002. Holmes won the fight via 10 round unanimous decision. It's been 20 years, 6 months, and 11 days since this fight.

Holmes retired from professional boxing with a record of 69-6, which included 44 knockout wins and one loss via knockout, and two title wins. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) in 2008.

Career Highlights

Larry Holmes fought a total of 75 times during his professional career. He was among the very best of his generation and was known for his great performances. These nine fights are the highlight of his career.

• Larry Holmes vs. Ken Norton

  June 9, 1978

  A 28-year old Larry Holmes (27-0, 19 KO) had his first world title fight against Ken Norton for Norton's WBC heavyweight belt. Norton was 34 years old with a record of 40-4. Norton was on a three-fight win streak with 32 KO wins. Both the boxers were of the same height but Holmes had a 3 cm reach advantage over Norton.

  Holmes defeated Norton via 15 round split-decision to win the WBC heavyweight title.

• Larry Holmes vs. Alfredo Evangelista

  November 10, 1978

  A 29-year old Larry Holmes (28-0, 19 KO) faced Alfredo Evangelista, who was 23 years old with a record of 23-2-1 in a heavyweight title defense fight. Evangelista was on a nine-fight win streak with 18 KO wins. Holmes was the taller of the two by 6 cms and also had a 21 cm reach advantage.

  Holmes defeated Evangelista via 7th round KO to retain the WBC heavyweight title.

• Larry Holmes vs. Ossie Ocasio

  March 23, 1979

  A 29-year old Larry Holmes (29-0, 20 KO) faced an undefeated Ossie Ocasio, who was 23 years old with a record of 13-0 in a heavyweight title defense fight. Ocasio was on a 13-fight win streak with 9 KO wins. Holmes was the taller of the two by 9 cms and also had a 18 cm reach advantage.

  Holmes defeated Ocasio via 7th round TKO to retain the WBC heavyweight title. He handed Ocasio the first loss of his career, and put an end to Ocasio's 13-fight win streak.

• Larry Holmes vs. Muhammad Ali

  October 2, 1980

  A 30-year old Larry Holmes (35-0, 26 KO) faced Muhammad Ali, who was 38 years old with a record of 56-3 in a heavyweight title defense fight. Ali was on a one-fight win streak with 37 KO wins. Both the boxers were of the same height but Holmes had a 8 cm reach advantage over Ali.

  Holmes defeated Ali via 10th round RTD to win the vacant Ring Magazine heavyweight title and retain the WBC heavyweight title.

• Larry Holmes vs. Leon Spinks

  June 12, 1981

  A 31-year old Larry Holmes (37-0, 27 KO) faced Leon Spinks, who was 27 years old with a record of 10-2-2 in a heavyweight title defense fight. Spinks was on a two-fight win streak with 8 KO wins. Holmes was the taller of the two by 6 cms and also had a 13 cm reach advantage.

  Holmes defeated Spinks via 3rd round TKO to retain the WBC and Ring Magazine heavyweight titles.

• Larry Holmes vs. Marvis Frazier

  November 25, 1983

  A 34-year old Larry Holmes (44-0, 31 KO) faced an undefeated Marvis Frazier, who was 23 years old with a record of 10-0 in a heavyweight title defense fight. Frazier was on a 10-fight win streak with 6 KO wins. Holmes was the taller of the two by 7 cms and also had a 13 cm reach advantage.

  Holmes defeated Frazier via 1st round TKO to retain the Ring Magazine heavyweight title. He handed Frazier the first loss of his career, and put an end to Frazier's 10-fight win streak.

• Larry Holmes vs. Michael Spinks II

  April 19, 1986

  In an immediate rematch, a 36-year old Larry Holmes (48-1, 34 KO) faced an undefeated Michael Spinks, who was now 29 years old with a record of 28-0. Holmes had lost to Spinks in their last fight. Holmes was the taller of the two by 6 cms and also had a 13 cm reach advantage.

  Spinks defeated Holmes via 15 round split-decision.

• Larry Holmes vs. Evander Holyfield

  June 19, 1992

  A 42-year old Larry Holmes (54-3, 37 KO) faced an undefeated Evander Holyfield, who was 29 years old with a record of 27-0 in a undisputed heavyweight championship bout. Holyfield was on a 27-fight win streak with 22 KO wins. Holmes was the taller of the two by 2 cms and also had a 9 cm reach advantage.

  Holyfield defeated Holmes via 12 round unanimous decision.

• Larry Holmes vs. Mike Weaver II

  November 17, 2000

  In a rematch, a 51-year old Larry Holmes (67-6, 43 KO) faced Mike Weaver, who was now 49 years old with a record of 41-17-1. Weaver was on a one-fight losing streak. Holmes was the taller of the two by 6 cms and also had a 8 cm reach advantage.

  Holmes defeated Weaver via 6th round TKO.