LARRY HOLMES
Date / site: Jan. 22, 1988 / Convention Center, Atlantic City, N.J.
Division: Heavyweight
Records: Tyson 32-0, Holmes 48-2
At stake: Tyson’s WBA and WBC titles
Result: Tyson TKO 4
Background: On paper, this might not have seemed like a good matchup. Holmes was coming off a 21-month layoff after back-to-back decision losses to capable Michael Spinks that cost Holmes his perfect record and heavyweight crown. And he was 38. The former champ obviously wasn’t the same fighter who had had a dominating reign in the late 1970s and early ’80s. Consider this, though: One, he still had a big name; and, two, he would go on to give strong performances in the coming years. A victory over Ray Mercer and a competitive loss against Evander Holyfield stand out. Against Tyson? No contest. Holmes very simply was overwhelmed by the young juggernaut, going down three times in Round 4 before referee Joe Cortez saved him from undue punishment. Holmes at his best might’ve given Tyson a run for his money. This version was helpless. “The crowd got pumped up and Larry let his ego get involved,” said Tyson, referring to Holmes’ more-aggressive tactics beginning in the third round. “I said, ‘Now he’s going to get it.’” He got it.