After his knockout of Tommy Morrison, the only thing standing between Ray Mercer and a shot at the champion Evander Holyfield, was ancient Larry Holmes. The ex champ had racked up five wins against mediocre opponents in 1991, and put himself in line for the fight with Mercer.
The February 7th bout at Atlantic City Convention Hall was broadcast on TVKO pay-per-view, and I again went over my brother’s house to watch it. I was rooting hard for Larry to win, since he had been a favorite of mine since he won the title from Ken Norton in 1978, The odds highly favored the younger, hard punching Mercer, but I was hoping Holmes could pull one out of his hat.
Ray staggered Larry with a stiff left jab in the opening round, and it didn’t bolster my confidence to say the least. But Holmes settled down and as the bout progressed, was actually taking control of action. He often retreated into a corner, and when Mercer approached, Larry landed jabs and hard right hand counters. He did this over and over, and Mercer had no answers.
Holmes also landed jabs mid-ring, and by the last third of the fight, the outcome was secure. The ex champ was giving Mercer a boxing lesson, and landing hard right hands at will. It was awesome to see, and by the end of the twelfth round, the upset was secure.
The Atlantic City crowed cheered Larry lustfully, and you tell he was full of emotion and gratitude at the show of love. Mercer made no excuses. and it was now Holmes that would get the title shot at Evander in the summer. I went home that night happy and satisfied, as much as I had in years after a fight.
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