The common saying, “Me and my big mouth,” aptly describes certain situations, even inspiring book titles. Larry Holmes, known for his outspoken nature, made critical comments about boxing judges leading up to his rematch with Michael Spinks. None of these remarks were flattering.
While the exact impact on his controversial split-decision loss in the return bout remains unknown, it`s fair to assume Holmes`s public statements didn`t benefit him.
Holmes`s disappointment and bitterness were understandable given the unanimous decision in Spinks`s favor during their initial encounter. Prior to their first fight, Holmes boasted a 48-0 record, standing one victory shy of matching Rocky Marciano’s legendary 49-0 streak as a heavyweight champion.
Holmes firmly believed he had won their first bout, a sentiment shared by many who found the decision contentious. With a rematch on the horizon, Holmes`s outspoken criticism of judges became a central talking point of the fight weekend. In a Pennsylvania TV interview, Holmes sensationally claimed judges “get drunk” and “get paid off.”
Nevada Commission Chairman Sig Rogich swiftly demanded a public apology, threatening that without it, the Commission would review Holmes`s boxing license in the state. This dramatic controversy unfolded a mere 11 days before the scheduled fight.
Holmes eventually issued an apology to the Nevada Commission, admitting, “I have a big mouth… I talk too much.” However, as the late Jack Welsh observed in his Las Vegas Sports Form column, “the seed had been planted,” suggesting the damage was done.
Beyond his remarks about judges, Holmes also displayed animosity towards the press. Four days before the bout, he had veteran New York columnist Dick Young ejected from a public workout due to Young`s prior comments about him.
Colin Hart of The Sun labelled it “a deplorable incident” and expressed “concern” over Holmes`s conduct. Jerry Izenberg, a seasoned observer, suggested in the New York Post that Holmes was “playing out the final scenes of a strange, brooding illusion where he saw enemies everywhere, losing touch with reality.”
Adding to the pre-fight chaos, Holmes failed to appear at a major press conference, leaving promoter Don King to awkwardly address an empty chair, as if Holmes were invisibly present.
The Rematch Unfolds
Despite the contentious pre-fight atmosphere, the rematch promised an intriguing spectacle. On fight day, Holmes was a slight favorite at 5/7 odds at the Vegas Hilton. The 29-year-old Spinks held a youth advantage, while the 36-year-old Holmes vowed not to let the decision rest with the judges.
Considering Spinks`s effective, unorthodox style of hitting, moving, and frustrating his opponent in their first encounter, I personally favored him to win the rematch. In my Boxing News preview, I cautiously predicted: “Spinks will, I suggest, be able to repeat his previous win with the same sort of fight plan.”
The fight commenced with Spinks (28-0, 19 KOs) weighing a career-high 205lbs, over 5lbs more than their first bout. Holmes (48-1, 34 KOs) tipped the scales at 223lbs, 1.5lbs heavier than before.
Holmes delivered on his promise of a fast start, dominating the first four rounds on all scorecards. He aggressively attacked Spinks, even wrestling the former light-heavyweight champion to the canvas within the opening 30 seconds. Referee Mills Lane intervened, ordering both fighters to “Cool it.”
The larger Holmes initially pushed Spinks back, asserting dominance. A Holmes victory seemed highly probable at this point, as he threw his right hand with a newfound urgency absent in their initial encounter. However, in this era of 15-round title fights, Spinks began to rally from the fifth round onwards. His rapid, precise punches caused Holmes`s eyes to swell by the mid-point of the fight.
The rematch proved far more exciting than their first bout, marked by significant shifts in momentum. Holmes started strong, Spinks scored effectively in the middle rounds, but Holmes created the most dramatic moment, nearly knocking Spinks down with a powerful right hand in the 14th round.
Holmes`s right hand consistently posed a threat. I observed him wobbling Spinks in the second, hurting him again in the ninth, and delivering his most impactful right in the 14th, which left Spinks nearly collapsing to the canvas as his legs gave way.
Nevertheless, Spinks`s unorthodox movements, just as in their first fight, continued to trouble Holmes. His quick, lunging attacks repeatedly caught Holmes off guard. Holmes was eager to deliver a knockout blow, but as I reported ringside: “Spinks deserves credit for his craftiness and composure under pressure. He skillfully evaded Holmes`s powerful right hand, often bending low, leaning forward, or turning almost sideways to avoid the `executioner`s axe`.”
While Spinks`s punches lacked Holmes`s power, he landed a greater volume. Spinks fought a tactically brilliant fight, wisely focusing on surviving the initial rounds when Holmes was most threatening, then increasing his output as the older champion began to tire.
The crowd of 8,328 at the Hilton`s convention center booed Spinks for his early evasiveness, but he was executing his strategy perfectly. Just as in their first fight, Spinks was effectively frustrating Holmes. As the bout progressed, Spinks intensified his punch volume. His left jab became more effective, and he consistently landed right hands and sharp left hooks.
In the sixth round, Holmes made a “running-on-the-spot” gesture, seemingly mocking Spinks`s constant movement. However, Spinks had no intention of trading blows with the larger, more powerful fighter. His strategy was purely about landing punches while minimizing damage.
Rounds 10 through 13 were strong for Spinks, who consistently out-punched Holmes and forced the former champion backward. Yet, Spinks avoided over-committing. In the 12th, after backing Holmes against the ropes, he absorbed a right-hand counter, signaling him to retreat or “take a walk.”
Holmes appeared visibly fatigued. However, just as Spinks seemed to seize control, Holmes unleashed a powerful right hand in the 14th round that almost turned the tide. A younger Holmes might have secured a knockout, but not the version in his mid-thirties. As I noted then, it seemed as though Holmes`s mind couldn`t command his fists to deliver what could have been the decisive blows.
“Holmes had let seemingly imminent victory slip away,” I reported, “and Spinks put in a strong finish, outpunching Holmes in a hard-fought final round.”
The Controversial Decision
The judges` scores were, as expected, very close. Jerry Roth scored it 144-142 for Spinks, Joe Cortez had Holmes winning 144-141, and Frank Brunette scored it 144-141 for the reigning champion. My personal scorecard also favored Spinks, 144-143. Jack Fiske, a veteran columnist from the San Francisco Chronicle sitting beside me, who believed Holmes won widely in their first fight, now had Spinks winning the rematch, declaring, “This time I got it right.”
Despite the varied scorecards, the decision was highly controversial and met with boos from the audience.
Holmes skipped the post-fight press conference, reportedly due to a broken right thumb sustained in the third round, for which he sought hospital treatment and a splint. Nevertheless, Holmes told HBO, “There’s no such thing as fairness. Spinks knows he didn’t win this fight.” He also announced his retirement, adding a crude remark about referees, judges, and promoters.
British boxing promoter Mickey Duff bet me, “I’ll lay 10-1 that within a couple of months Holmes is talking about fighting again.” Duff would have lost that wager, as Holmes remained retired for nearly two years.
Oliver Croft