Holmes-Witherspon was one of the great heavyweight fights of the 1980s that has been lost in the shadows of the post Muhammad Ali era, when the middle divisions reclaimed the spotlight. Holmes was labeled at the time as being a mediocre Ali imitator, but we know better now. Witherspoon was an excellent boxer who pushed the champion to his limit in Larry's late prime. --Rotoscope
Paul Concannon wrote, "The eleventh belonged to the challenger, who began aggressively, again torturing the old champions body; Larry's side must have been packed out with Kevlar as the right cruelly connected again. Spoon again turned Southpaw and rocking Holmes with a right hook. Holmes landed a great right cross later in the round, but it was a clear one for the challenger.
Coming out for the final round, both warriors had it all to play for. The consensus was that the challenger had the edge; he had won the hearts of the crowd with a dazzling display through the first 11. He raised his arms to the delighted crowd and spent the most part of the last three minutes on his toes, deliberately boxing like a young Muhammad Ali, peppering with the jab, changing stance and trading jabs with the champion. Late in the two huge left hooks landed for the challenger and, in a fitting finally finale to a wonderful fight, they traded punches until the bell.
Reading between the lines, a case could have been made for Holmes squeaking the verdict, he had fought back constantly and used experience to arguably gain a slight edge in some of the close rounds. The stronger case for victory, however, seemed to be for Witherspoon; he had fought a near flawless fight."Tags: larry holmes tim witherspon boxing fight decision tyson |
