Larry Holmes

At 6’ 3” and a fighting weight of 215 lbs., Larry Holmes was a big man who wore opponents out.  After turning pro in 1973, he beat Ken Norton in 1978 to win the WBC heavyweight championship.  He successfully defended his belt 17 times before a dispute with Don King forced him to give it up.  Still recognized as IBF champ, he defended it three times before losing it to Michael Spinks in 1985.  He won a rematch and then promptly retired.  Holmes attempted a comeback in 1988 but lost to Mike Tyson, as well as title bouts to Evander Holyfield and Oliver McCall.  Over his 73 professional fights, he won 67 of them – 43 by knockout.