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Larry Holmes names the true greatest heavyweight of all time

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Larry Holmes names the true greatest heavyweight of all time

Boxing legend and one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time, Larry Holmes, there is no doubt who truly deserves the title of “greatest”.

The marquee division has long produced not only world-class fighters, but also people who have gone beyond the sport, bringing boxing to the front and back pages of newspapers.

Holmes, who became the WBC heavyweight champion after a thrilling 15-round war with Ken Norton in June 1978, he is rightly considered one of the greatest in the division’s rich history. His reign from 1978 to 1985 included 16 successful title defenses.

Instead of facing No. 1 contender Greg Page, “The Easton Assassin” ultimately vacated the belt following a financial dispute with promoter Don King. He later accepted an IBF title fight against James “Bonecrusher” Smith, beginning a modern championship reign in November 1984, before Michael Spinks ended it a year later in one of the biggest upsets of 1985.

Interview with Sky SportsHolmes recalls a career-long struggle for recognition despite being the champion who defined his legacy.

“Even today I don’t get the recognition I would normally get like Mike Tyson.

“I had (almost) 20 title defenses. Mike Tyson had three or four and then he lost.

“I was champion for seven and a half years. They don’t want to recognize me. [Muhammad] Ali doesn’t have the fights I had in title defense. He didn’t hold the title for seven and a half years. Only one player held the title for more than seven and a half years [and that] was Joe Louis. And the only person who had the achievements I had was Rocky Marciano – no one else.

Tyson actually defended the WBC title nine times after defeating Trevor Berbick in November 1986.

When it comes to who truly deserves to be crowned the greatest heavyweight of all time, that’s a debate that could go on for hours. But Holmes, for example, had already made up his mind.

“Why does Muhammad Ali have to be the greatest? He could say he is the greatest, you could say he is the greatest, but I know otherwise – I am the greatest!”

Holmes famously fought the aging Ali in October 1980, earning a 10th-round retirement victory, much to the displeasure of many boxing fans.

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Gervonta Davis is in negotiations with her undefeated rival after 16 months of inactivity

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Gervonta Davis now in negotiations with undefeated rival after 16 months of inactivity

After an extended break, Gervonta Davis is currently in negotiations to defend her world title against an undefeated rising star.

“Tank” has not competed since March 2024, when was forced to controversially draw a majority in defense of the WBA lightweight title against Lamont Roach Jr.

A planned main event against Jake Paul last November was canceled due to Davis’ external issues, which led to the WBA awarding him the title on hiatus.

Earlier this year, it was reported that “Tank” was in talks for a showdown with former rival Isaac Cruz, but when the Mexican left, fans began to wonder if they would actually see the 31-year-old champion from Baltimore back in the ring.

However, any fears may soon be put to rest Boxing scene reported that Davis is in negotiations to fight Floyd Schofield. The WBA ordered a fight between the duo and gave them until June 22 to reach a deal before financial offers were announced.

The report states that officials close to the negotiations plan for the fight to take place in mid-September or early October.

Schofield is undefeated for 19 years and ranks first in the WBA rankings. He was previously scheduled to fight for a world title against Shakur Stevenson in February 2025 before he was forced to withdraw from the fight during fight week due to illness.

He has since claimed he beat Tevin Farmer by knockout, and his father and trainer, Floyd Sr., has insisted they want to fight Davis next and are extremely confident of winning.

The fight could hinge on Davis’ legal issues, as he was recently wanted by Maryland State Police after allegedly violating probation stemming from domestic violence allegations that resulted in the cancellation of his exhibition with Paul.

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Raymond Muratalla will defend his IBF lightweight title against Robson Conceição on August 1

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Image: Raymond Muratalla To Defend IBF Lightweight Title Against Robson Conceição On August 1

“After my last fight, the boxing world really knew who I was,” Muratalla said. “People saw me as an underdog even though I was the champion and I showed that I couldn’t be underestimated.

“Now I’m defending my title against another Olympic gold medalist and I plan to look even better. I’m focused, ready and I’ll take care of things on August 1.”

Conceição is looking to regain his world champion status after previously holding the WBC junior lightweight championship.

“They said it was impossible when I dreamed of winning an Olympic gold medal,” Conceição said. “They said that when I fought for my first world title, I achieved both and it’s no different now.

“I have great respect for Raymond Muratalla, but I am ready for this challenge. I want to prove that determination, experience and the heart of a champion are able to overcome any obstacle.

“On August 1, I will fight for myself, my family and all of Brazil.”

Muratalla enters the fight undefeated with a record of 24-0 and 17 knockouts. The California native was elevated to full IBF champion following the retirement of Vasily Lomachenko, and most recently defended his title following a decision victory over Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz in February.

Conceição (21-3-1, 10 knockouts) became the first Brazilian Olympic boxing gold medalist at the 2016 Games. The 37-year-old won the WBC junior lightweight title by defeating O’Shaquie Foster in July 2024 before losing the belt in a rematch later that year.

Top president Todd duBoef believes the fight will be a forceful addition to the August installment of “The Fight” series.

“Raymond Muratalla has established himself as one of the best lightweights in the world. His recent decisive victory over Andy Cruz reinforced his elite status in boxing,” said duBoef.

“The upcoming defense against Olympic gold medalist and former world champion Robson Conceição will keep fans entertained from the first bell.”

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Terence Crawford’s trainer names the boxing legend he would like to fight before he retires

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Terence Crawford’s trainer names the boxing legend he wishes they fought before retiring

Terence Crawford, under trainer Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, fought undefeated 42 times before retiring slow last year. Are there any fights left on the table?

The switch-hitter from Omaha, Nebraska won the world championship in five divisions – undisputed in two – and established himself as the best player of the generation. His swan song was a jump in weight to defeat Mexican icon Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

Crawford is content in his retirement and, unlike many of his peers, he seems to find it uncomplicated to resist returning to the ring. While his skill level is undeniable, a criticism that has been leveled at him from the likes of Canelo and Ryan Garcia is that he doesn’t have many elite names on his record.

I keep talking podcast on the home page“BoMac” was asked if there was any fighter Crawford would like to face in his career, perhaps to further cement his legacy, and without hesitation he mentioned Manny Pacquiao.

“Manny Pacquiao. That would be great.”

Why it didn’t happen McIntyre says promoter Bob Arum, who worked with both fighters when the fight made the most sense, blocked it.

“Vertical [Arum] I just said it the other day. He stopped because he knew how this fight would end. [Pacquiao] he was a cash cow… He didn’t want to spoil the money.”

Crawford previously revealed that he had been pushing for a fight with Pacquiao back in 2015, when he was on his way to becoming the super lightweight world champion, but there were indeed other occasions in the following years where it might have made sense.

Interestingly, “PacMan” also pointed to Crawford as the one who escaped, but he believes that it was Arum who protected the American and not the other way around.

While it appears “Bud” will remain retired, Pacquiao’s career is heading in the opposite direction. The Filipino returned to the professional ranks last year, fighting to a draw with then-WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. This year, he plans to have a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, although the details of the event are not yet known.

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