Larry Holmes is in the history books as one of the best heavyweights to ever step through the ropes, though he has been famously accused of avoiding one significant challenge.
In 1985, 12 years after turning professional, ‘The Easton Assassin’ was an incredible 48 fights undefeated into his campaign, beating the likes of Gerry Cooney, Tim Witherspoon, Earnie Shavers and an aged Muhammad Ali along the way.
It was said Holmes, ahead of his 49th contest, was being careful with his opponent choice due to the desire to equal Rocky Marciano’s famous record.
One man who wanted to end that dream was fellow champion Pinklon Thomas, who held the WBC belt to Holmes’ IBF. Thomas was also undefeated and eight years younger than Holmes, with momentum on his side. He had called for the fight numerous times and, when he was ignored, claimed at a press conference, “I was ducked by Larry Holmes.”
Holmes booked his next bout against former light-heavyweight champion Michael Spinks, leading Thomas to say:
“He should retire or face me. He’s got to quit making excuses to keep from fighting. He’s not the real champion. He’s a fraud.”
If the talk that Holmes was being careful in his matchmaking was true, it did not work out. He lost to Spinks by unanimous decision in 1985 and then again in their rematch one year later. Well past his prime by that point, ‘The Easton Assassin’ was stopped by young Mike Tyson next time out.
Thomas had retained his belt against Mike Weaver in that time but then lost it to Trevor Berbick. He would also lose to Tyson the following year, starting a run that would see him win just one in six fights.
Though both men fought on, the match-up had lost its intrigue and remains a prime example in the heavyweight division of fierce rivalries never making it through the ropes.
