Larry Holmes and George Foreman are often recognised as two of the greatest heavyweights in boxing history.
In a career that spanned just shy of three decades, Holmes held the world heavyweight championship between 1978 and 1985, picking up victories against the likes of Trevor Berbick, Leon Spinks and Muhammad Ali.
‘The Easton Assassin’ lost his world heavyweight championship to Michael Spinks in September 1985, falling short once again in their rematch six months later. He would go on to challenge for versions of the heavyweight title on three more occasions, tasting defeat each time.
One fighter he didn’t end up facing during his accomplished career is Foreman, despite both men being active during the same golden era, with Holmes claiming ‘everybody knew’ that Foreman didn’t want to face him.
Speaking to Sky Sports Boxing, Holmes was asked to share his thoughts on Foreman, to which he responded by claiming ‘he can’t fight’.
“George Foreman’s too big. Too big, too strong, he can’t fight, because he’s too big, hands up like this real slow.
That’s how slow he is, you got time to get outta the way. But if he hits you with that, it’s all over.”
‘Big’ George’s storied career began in 1969, shortly after he won Olympic Gold at the 1968 games in Mexico City. He had a 10-year hiatus from the sport between 1977 and 1987, eventually returning to the sport where he went on to become the oldest world heavyweight champion in the history of boxing.
A fight between Holmes and Foreman never materialised, despite a number of calls for the pair to face each other during their prime years. Boxing fans have been left wondering what would have happened in a showdown between two of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
