Having faced many heavy-hitters during his 75-fight professional career, Larry Holmes had no doubt who caught him the hardest.
Known as ‘The Easton Assassin’, Holmes is credited with being one of the greatest heavyweights of all time due to an impressive reign as the world champion for seven years.
He captured world honours when he produced a fine display against Ken Norton in June of 1978, defeating his countryman by split decision at the conclusion of their bruising 15-round battle.
Holmes would go on to make no less than 20 successful defences of his crown, defeating the likes of Trevor Berbick, Tim Witherspoon and the legendary Muhammad Ali along the way.
‘The Easton Assassin’ remained unbeaten until September 1985 when he suffered a shock points defeat to Michael Spinks, bringing an end to his dominant 7-year reign as world heavyweight champion.
In an interview with Boxing News, Holmes spoke fondly of former rival Earnie Shavers who he claims was the hardest hitter he faced throughout the course of his storied career.
“Earnie Shavers, no doubt about it. He could knock the hell out of you!”
Shavers, who was known as ‘The Black Destroyer’, is widely considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights to have never captured a version of the world heavyweight championship, falling short in his title showdowns with both Holmes and Muhammad Ali.
He produced 70 stoppages in 76 victories as a professional, earning himself an impressive win-to-knockout ratio of over 76% until his final retirement in November of 1995.
