Larry Holmes

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Larry Holmes (born November 3, 1949), former world Heavyweight champion who won his first 48 professional fights, threatening to break Rocky Marciano's record of the most fights undefeated for a world champion (49-0).

Holmes won the WBC Heavyweight title on 09 June 1978 by defeating Ken Norton over 15 rounds. He successfully defended the WBC belt until 11 December 1983, when he relinquished that title for the championship of the new International Boxing Federation. Many fans attribute the IBF's early survival to Holmes' involvement as its first Heavyweight champion.

Among those he defeated during his career were former world champions such as Muhammad Ali, Trevor Berbick, Ray Mercer, Ossie Ocasio, Leon Spinks, Mike Weaver and Tim Witherspoon. He also earned victories over well-known non-champions such as Gerry Cooney and Earnie Shavers.

In all, Holmes won 67 bouts against 6 losses, with 43 knockout wins. He defended the WBC or IBF title 19 times from 1978 to 1985 before losing the IBF crown to Michael Spinks.