he went his whole career looking for that thunderous applause at the end .. and he finally got it in the twilight of his career .. god knows if anybody deserved it it was holmes .. i'll always have a love for ol larry .. the true hardluck champion if ever was one

True Warriors are indeed a rare breed! The way these two boxers embraced themselves at the end of the bout, is the true measure of their strength , worth and their character!!

Holmes was past his prime and yet he still beat the crap out of Mercer. Great fighter.

31:09 "im not Tommy Morrison" 😂

The most underrated heavyweight of all time. The best jab in business, excellent ring tactician, and superb killer instinct.

Incredible performance by Larry Holmes, Nobody gave him a chance in this fight and he shocked the world A 4 to 1 Underdog. His jab was incredibly acurate for a 42 year old man. Two thumbs way up for the man from Easton Pa.

Larry Holmes is one of the few people on this planet that I would love to meet, so I could shake this legendary boxers hand and buy him a beer!! This man is so under appreciated as a champion!!! The Eason assassin, Larry Holmes my GOAT!!!

One of the greatest fighter of all time. Much respect Larry Holmes

AMAZING FACT: Holmes fought for 10 more years after beating Mercer. He kept fighting til age 52!!! His last fight was against Butterbean in 2002 and Holmes won.

Grew up in the 80's while Holmes was Champ. Not given enough respect for being such a good fighter. Props to The Easton Assassin. Dude was a force

Mercer got schooled by the 42 year old veteran and one of the greatest heavyweights of all times "the Easton assassin larry holmes"

26:00 Holmes said come on boy! 😂😂 I hope I heard that right.

So glad Larry got this! Truly one of the most under appreciated champions in history!

ONE OF THE MOST MASTERFUL FIGHTS IVE EVER SEEN!!!!!! TRULY REMARKABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's important to note that Ray Mercer gave a prime Lennox Lewis hell AFTER this defeat to the 42 year old Larry Holmes. Larry's impressive win over Mercer sealed the deal in regards to Holmes being 1 of the 3 (e.g., Ali, Louis, Holmes) greatest heavyweights in boxing history. Unlike several great or near great heavyweight champions, Larry never lost in his prime and sans 1 punch knockout power, Holmes was a complete fighter. The best left jab in boxing history, terrific hand and foot speed, high boxing IQ, great stamina, granite chin, and a prodigious heart/will to win.

This is what A gentleman look like as a gladiator ...Larry Holmes is one great guy

Larry Holmes - most underrated champion, I'm not sure why? So many successful defences. His defeats were when he was past his best.

Larry had skill which he carried to an older age. He was just that special. I always admired what he did in the ring! His jab has got to be one of the top 5 jabs in the history of the boxing! His boxing ability was much like poetry in motion. Even Mike Tyson said in the post fight interview after defeating Holmes, he stated very clearly that if Holmes was at his best, he would not have won because Holmes is a great fighter. Thank you Larry for all of the good memories of what you gave us and I shall never forget!

This man's jab was one of the best in the sport! Always underrated yet a great fighter nonetheless.

I remember watching this fight in a large and crowded sports bar in Albany, NY. They had a million TV's, some showing the fight, some showing ball games, and others showing horse racing which you could bet on in the bar (legal OTB had two tellers in the bar). It seemed most people felt Holmes was way past it and would get killed by the much younger Mercer, who had big power in both hands, so the fight didn't get a whole lot of attention paid to it, with most of the guys preferring to spend their time hitting on the large variety of well- dressed girls in there. By the time the last 3 rounds were fought, the whole bar was cheering loudly for Larry, and a collective roar let out every time he landed a punch. It was really quite a sight to see Larry Holmes performance captivate a large crowd, who felt obligated to give the old grand master a final salute.

Holmes biggest problem was fighting the media which was the only "real" kayo loss of his career. Holmes vs Ali was really the passing of the torch or lineal championship (Ali retired with that title with a win over Spinks although Holmes was WBC champ). But because the media did not like Holmes, many of them wrote that Holmes beat an old suffering man. They should have written Holmes was in a no win situation because he had to defeat his teacher/mentor to be recognized as the Lineal Champion/Ring Champion/Man Who Beat the Man because his WBC title was no better than the WBA (although Holmes defeated the reigning WBA champion Weaver). When Cooney arrived on the scene, the media put Cooney on the cover of magazines with actors etc. Cooney, a challenger, appeared on a soap opera and in commercials. Meanwhile, Holmes family was being terrorized and racial intimidated! Ali fights Evangelista, Shavers, Norton, and Spinks and he is the greatest. Holmes fights the same guys and they are now bums. Tyson is praised for what he did to Berbick, Smith, and Frazier. Holmes fights the same guys and the media claimed they should be recognized as exhibitions, not title defenses. When he came close to tying Marciano's record, the media instigated the situation which possibly resulted in Marciano's broter rooting AGAINST Holmes to match his brother's record. Tyson is praised for Unifying the titles, but Holmes is blamed for not unifying the titles against Gerrie Coetzee because a judge ruled against it. Holmes spoke out against Apartheid, but we know him more for saying,"Rocky Marciano couldn't carry my jock strap!" thanks to the media. The sports writers and media did an injustice to Holmes. They would bait the guy during press conferences and get Holmes to go off! Holmes could not laugh it off like Ali. When attacked by the media, Holmes fired back and unfortunately the media got him back in the press by misleading fans or spinning his achievements in a negative fashion. I ask this question, why didn't anyone criticize Pinklon Thomas for giving Witherspoon a rematch? What happened to Dokes vs Page? Why did Greg Page get a title shot against Cooetzee when he lost to Berbick, Witherspoon, and Bey? How many of the other 80s heavyweights gave rematches? However, we blame Holmes for not giving Norton a rematch. This is the same Norton who did not give Jimmy Young a rematch. But yet, we hold this against Holmes. Holmes lost to Duane Bobick in 1972 and by 1982 when Holmes has already broken the record for most kayos in title defenses, the media reminds us that he crawled out of the ring in 1972 against Bobick so be on the look out! Holmes was a novice and was barely an adult at the time, but this is held against him by the crappy sports writers. People like Gil Clancy wasn't going to use his platform to tell viewers that he was wrong about Holmes. It is easier to keep saying that Holmes is a fluke and fighting bums.Holmes victory over Mercer at age 42 pretty much said that Mercer would have died in the ring if he fought Holmes and Foreman in the 1970s.

what a damn good, supersmart fight by Larry. He made Mercer, who should be grateful as he got free boxing lessons, look like a rookie. Larry had the skills and gave the thrills.

Larry was one of the last from the Golden age of boxing. SO UNDER RATED.

Larry Holmes was one of the best heavyweights of all time if not the best. What he did to a very average Mercer in Mercer's prime and well out of Holmes' prime was a boxing lesson.

Holmes is older than Mercer and he's hammering him damn well. I think in his prime he'd kill him. He was the main sparring partner for Ali. That speaks for itself

Mercer underestimated the great Larry Holmes he thought that just because Larry was 42 that he was would just blow him away. But how wrong he was.. he got schooled

The most disrespected fighter of all time is Larry. But he is one of the best.

One of the very best fights I have ever seen - so tactical

King Holmes,no scandals,same wife,thirty yr's.

Holmes shocked the world. Nobody expected that from Larry!

was a hell of a good fight by holmes ! 42 years old. mercer was a very good very tought fighter, even lewis couldnt take mercer out

This fight is what made me solidify my belief that the 1970's boxers and including holms vs Norton which represented the passing of the torch, were the best ever. Larry Holms beat a legitimate contender for the heavyweight title. Mercer would lose a controversial decision to Lennox Lewis a few years later. Yes this fight made me believe that holms is one of the all time greats

43:37 - Vicious combo! Holmes had some speed and sting in his punches!

A unsung hero of boxing, he had all the attributes that make a great boxer and his record is testament to that

Growing up as a kid, Larry Holmes was "always" my favorite boxer.

Just a Maestro in the ring.. I watched his whole career and always thought he was utterly brilliant.. What a jab, what a chin, what a performance.. Ladies and gentlemen... The Easton Assassin..

31:08 is one of the most legendary moments in my boxing fandom, lol.

One fight I would've love to see, was LARRY VS FOREMAN

One of the Greatest heavyweight boxing match.. Larry Holmes was a true LEGEND! Great match..

Brilliant performance by the legendary "Easton Assassin", Larry Holmes. I would've loved to have seen Holmes fought George Foreman in their primes in the mid-late 70s. But unfortunately, that fight never materialized. A fight I think Larry would've won because Foreman always had problems with slick boxers who had fast hands and feet (Muhammad Ali, Jimmy Young, and Evander Holyfield come to mind).

Mike Tyson later said if Larry Holmes had more time to prepare for the fight with him he woulda went to distance as he brought up the fight with ray Mercer and gave Larry much respect for his skills! Larry was just a Beast and true Scientist of the boxing ring!

This was a very impressive win for Larry. He handled Ray a lot better than Lennox Lewis did.

the emotion for Holmes at the end of the fight is really something. the way he was so disrespected as a champ is a disgrace. He couldn't leave boxing with that k.o vs Tyson.

I truly believed this guy was gonna retire undefeated.

Larry's stance threw off Mercer. Great defence by Larry against the ropes. And great stanima by Larry. Not much of a Holmes fan. But he got my respect.

What aMasterclass from Holmes this is what real boxings is all about. Holmes might not of been in his prime but it just shows u don’t lose ur ring craft or skill

I remember the vibe back then, Many people wanted to see Larry Holmes lose all his fights. IMO he had the body, mind and skills in his prime to beat anybody on his best day.

the fact that this was supposed to be a WBO title match, means Holmes would have regained a portion of the Heavyweight title....something he deserved

even when my favorite boxers are tyson, bowe and holyfield. i feel like after Ali, Holmes is the best heavyweight, he dominated his era and was competent even at an advanced age

Larry Holmes could beat you just with that stare. 9:23 One of the best fighters of all times.

Holmes is one of the most skilled heavyweights of all time.

I luckily got to meet Larry Holmes at Shoppingtown Mall in Syracuse, NY about a week or two before this fight. I remember walking up to him so he could sign my LH boxing card. I thanked him and wished him luck against his fight with Mercer. I sincerely wanted him to win but was thinking he didn’t stand a chance because of his age and especially after seeing what Mercer did to Tommy Morrison 4 months prior.. Nonetheless, he fought a wise and strategic boxing match against Mercer taking the win..Boy, I sure was shocked 😮 but very happy. 😃 ...In my opinion, Holmes is the most underrated heavyweight of all time. He ducked nobody, holding the title for seven years!

Probably has the best jab amongst all-time great heavyweights. That is just a wicked left he got.

Larry was always under rated. 😎👍🇺🇲💯🌟

I am glad Larry Holmes won.

Larry Holmes a Champions Champion. Absolute legend.

Mercer was SCHOOLED by The REAL Daddy Mr. Holmes here. Boxing 101. As he said in that corner "I'm NOT Tommy Morrison!"

Mercer got schooled by an old veteran.Holmes was not heavyweight champion for 7 year and 20 defenses for nothing

At His peak that beautiful Holmes jab was something to take seriously

Larry had some speed at that age. Special times

39:32 So the WBO is responsible for this not being a Title Fight on some "take my marbles and go home" bull!! These organizations have always been dirty.

Larry really turned back the clock in this fight.

Great fight for Larry! The fans finally behind him and cheering them on!!

Larry Holmes is extremely under rated. This is one of the few examples that proves Holyfield fought a out of prime/ even if we’re just talking mind frame. Tyson knocked Holmes out in 88 in the 4th round. Holyfield went 12 rounds and won by a decision. Holmes and Mercer both were under rated in my opinion. Mercer was always great to watch

Larry Holmes in this fight is what i would call Shades of Ali

Holms was the most underrated boxer of all time.

The 1990's was such an awesome era for heavy weight boxing, it's popularity as a sport was at an all-time high. I don't think we'll ever see the likes of it again.

Two great champs and both underrated specialy Larry Holmes.

Holmes has a lot of his Ali sparring in him. lol

Larry Holmes was a great heavyweight. He would have been big trouble for any heavyweight of any era. All time top five heavyweight easy. Larry, thanks for the memories. I hope you are doing well and enjoying life.

Good fight and a real good win for Larry. I expected Holmes to box and use the jab but he was out slugging Mercer in the fight too. Remarkable stuff.

One of my most favorite fights to watch

Larry Holmes the most underrated heavyweight of all time

Holmes dominates in the 70s 80s and 90s what a boss !!

What a great fight !

I'm deeply impressed by Larry Holmes, how can he perform this good at the age 42??!!

Was an honor to watch Homes fight. Once he find the distance he was a sight to behold. He fought some of the hardest punchers in history. Was funny actually. The fighters that beat him were not hard punchers at all. When he fought Shavers, Holmes was hit with a right hand never seen before and went down. He got up and tkoed Shavers. To me, Holmes in his prime could have beat Tyson and Ali in their prime. What a fighter!!

Larry Holmes, the second greatest heavyweight of all time next to Ali who he learned so much from

I WATCH and PRAY, an Love watching these fights During November 3rd Elections 2020!

Casual boxing fans aren't aware of Holmes' great skills; in his prime; he had one of the greatest jabs in the HW division, and his right cross was nothing to laugh about if you were on the receiving end.

Mr Holmes fought a perfect fight.....I don't why people thought he would loose he is one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of all time...He was champion for like. I believe 7 years and had something like 20 title defensiveness he never ducked know one of the greatest off all time much respect for Ray too .

This is an excellent fight! Larry Holmes is truly just a master!

The amount of punches thrown and landed by these heavyweights is incredible! Especially a 42 year old Larry Holmes

This is the greatest boxing match ever, none of that annoying hugging, jut pure brutality and some comedy thrown in

Larry Holmes' lessons in boxing, chapter 1. Pupil: Ray Mercer

People thought Holmes was cocky. Larry wanted that love and admiration and he got it. He aged very cool and glad he pulled this off. God bless him

What a great note for Holmes to go out on.

Holmes heavyweight legend

One of the best heavyweight fights i've ever seen! Thank you so much for uploading it!

Great win for Larry Holmes!! Glad to see it!

Entertaining fight. I love both fighters!

This fight demonstrates that Larry Holmes is the greatest heavyweight of the post-Ali era. Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis are the other two candidates for this honor, but Tyson was knocked out in his prime by a journeyman, and Lewis was knocked out in his prime by two journeyman heavyweights. Holmes didn't lose until he was 36 years old and this same Ray Mercer gave a prime Lewis all he could handle.

Confused announcing at 37:58 : "40 punches landed for Mercer in that last round compared to 17 for Ray Mercer."

This is as good as it gets.

When Larry talks, I listen. His current interviews as a humble man is encouraging. Champ

How did that last judge score it 115-113,there's always one isn't there. Smh

Damn 31:02 oldschool dudes....legendary strength

No one like Holmes at defending title. He's my top 10 ever in history.

What a satisfying win for Larry Holmes

Larry Holmes one of the best of all time