After losing an unjust decision to Michael Spinks on April 19, 1986, Larry Holmes announced his retirement a few months later. However, when Mike Tyson won the heavyweight title in November of 1986 over Trevor Berbick and unified it, Larry decided to return to the ring late in 1987. When Holmes asked promoter Don King to allow him to have a tune-up bout with Tyson look alike Bernard Benton, King refused. So the January 22, 1988 date was set for Convention Hall in Atlantic City.
Larry got into the best shape he could at 38, but I was concerned about his chances of winning. On way over my sister’s apartment to watch the fight on HBO, my hopes that were Larry could at least go the distance. Holmes would later say that it was the one time in his long career that he knew he was going to lose on the way into the ring because he hadn’t had the tune-up bout he needed.
The ex-champ did pretty well for a few rounds by trying to keep Tyson at bay with his extended left hand. Unfortunately, Tyson caught him with a powerful right in the fourth and put him on the canvas. Larry got up and tried hard to survive the round, but was caught on the ropes as the round closed and knocked down for the third and final time, which ended the fight. I felt sick in the stomach watching it all and the drive home that night was a sad one for me.
I never thought he would fight again, but after seeing George Foreman’s successful comeback, launched his own starting in April of 1991. After reeling of 5 straight wins over mediocre opponents, Larry earned a shot to face undefeated Ray Mercer on February 7, 1992 at Convention Hall again. Mercer was a 1988 Olympic gold medalist and also one of my least favorite fighters. It was an easy choice who to root for when I went over my brother’s house to watch the pay-per-view card.
Larry fought well right from the start, and except for a Mercer jab in the first round that hurt him, was in total control. Holmes would often stand in the corner, hammer Mercer with punches as he got closer and took the younger fighter to school. Larry won at least 8 rounds out of 12 and when the final decision was read, it was great to see one of my all time favorites back on top again. While Tyson was in court for rape, Larry had earned a shot at Evander Holyfield’s title in June. As the crowd cheered him after the Mercer win, an emotional Holmes thanked them for their support. That night was quite different from the Tyson loss four years earlier and made me realize that in boxing, just like in life, if you don’t give up, something good can happen.
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