What is Larry Holmes Thinking?
By Ross Enamait - RossBoxing.com
26.07 - Larry Holmes is one of the greatest heavyweights
of all time. He had perhaps the best jab in the history
of the heavyweight division. Larry Holmes began his
professional boxing career in 1973. He is a legend
to this game. He often does not get the credit he
deserves for his illustrious career. Why then does
he continue to step into the ring as his skills and
age head in opposite directions? His upcoming bout
with Eric "Butterbean" Esch seems more like
a circus act than a genuine heavyweight contest.
Holmes is a man who has shared the ring with greats
such as Ernie Shavers, Ken Norton, and Muhammad Ali.
Holmes was a dominant heavyweight. Unfortunately,
he fought way past his prime. His losses to Evander
Holyfield, Oliver McCall in 1995 and Brian Nielsen
in 1997 were losses that he should have never endured.
Larry Holmes was born in 1949. He lost these fights
well into his 40's.
Part of the reason that Holmes does not get the credit
he deserves in his earlier career is the fact that
these more recent losses are more fresh in our minds.
Larry Holmes is not a man that needs money. He has
made wise investments, living comfortably in Easton,
Pennsylvania. Yet, for some reason, Holmes has decided
to square off with Eric "Butterbean" Esch
on July 27th. Esch should not be allowed in the same
ring as Holmes. Esch makes a mockery of boxing. He
is no "professional" fighter. He is the
creation of a promoter wishing to lure in the uneducated
boxing fan.
Esch is the type of guy that the non-boxing community
see and subsequently discredit our sport. Boxing is
a sweet science that takes years to learn and master.
Butterbean is just an overweight guy that arrived
overnight calling himself a professional heavyweight.
I've seen amateurs in the gym with 10 fights that
could box circles around Butterbean. Yet, for some
reason, this guy not only generates crowds and money
but now attracts an all time legend into the ring
named Larry Holmes!
Larry Holmes is in a no win situation. If he wins,
it was expected. If he somehow gets caught and knocked
out, his magical boxing years become even more a distant
memory. How can this fight take place? Does anyone
actually want to see this fight? The promoters paying
Butterbean to fight while warriors like Micky Ward
get stiffed should be jailed.
How the hell could anyone pay Butterbean to box when
you've got world-class fighters struggling to make
a decent living in this sport? I've trained next to
guys in the gym who have never seen a fraction of
the money that Butterbean will earn in this fight.
I'm talking about quality professional fighters who
have paid their dues both as amateurs and pros. And
you wonder why people are so quick to criticize boxing?
Fights like this make the sport look like a circus
act.
I always stand up and spread the word about the greatness
of boxing. Unfortunately, the promoters and guys like
Butterbean make things difficult for me with fights
such as these.
