Larry Holmes played a key role in one of the greatest generations in the history of heavyweight boxing.
Known by his moniker ‘The Easton Assassin’, Holmes quickly rose to the two of the heavyweight division and would go on to capture the world heavyweight championship with a victory over Ken Norton in the summer of 1978.
He made no less than 20 successful defences of his world heavyweight titles over the following eight years, defeating the likes of Earnie Shavers, Trevor Berbick and Muhammad Ali before his reign would come to an end when he was beaten by Michael Spinks in 1985.
Holmes would challenge for a version of the world heavyweight championship on a further three occasions before his career ended in 2002, but he would fall short in these attempts against Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Oliver McCall.
Speaking to Boxing News, ‘The Easton Assassin’ was asked to reveal the hardest hitting opponent that he ever faced during his career, and he revealed none other than countryman Shavers as his answer.
“Earnie Shavers, no doubt about it. He could knock the hell out of you!”
Known for his thunderous punching power, Shavers is widely considered to be one of the hardest hitting fighters in the history of the sport, racking up 70 stoppage victories during his tenure.
He would prove to be a difficult opponent for almost every opponent that he shared the ring with although he would challenge unsuccessfully for the world heavyweight championship on two occasions, suffering defeats to Ali in 1977 and Holmes in 1979.
