June 9th, 1978. In heavyweight boxing history, that date means something. For it was on that date - 30 years ago today - that one of the greatest - if not the greatest - heavyweight fights took place in a small ring in the middle of Caesar's Palace on the Las Vegas strip.
In a heavyweight division that had grown somewhat stagnant and stale, in part due to Muhammad Ali's decline and shocking defeat at the hands of young upstart Leon Spinks in February of that year, along came two fighters who electrified the boxing world and put on a fight that is still regarded today as a heavyweight classic!
Ken Norton, the muscle-bound ex-marine who “won” the WBC heavyweight championship belt on the strength of his victory in a title elimination bout against Jimmy Young in November of 1977, was making his first defense of his heavyweight championship against the number one-rated challenger in the heavyweight division, Larry Holmes. Norton, who fought the great Muhammad Ali three times - winning one and losing two hotly contested rematches - was a very capable fighter with a big punch and an awkward, crab-like style.
Larry Holmes, a former sparring partner to both Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali, was undefeated and possessed one of the best left jabs that the heavyweight division had seen in some time. Tall and lanky, Holmes had earned his right to fight for Norton's title by thoroughly out boxing the feared but limited puncher Earnie Shavers over the course of twelve rounds in his last fight of 1977. Dismissed by many boxing experts as nothing more than a cheap carbon copy of Muhammad Ali, and as a fighter of questionable heart - due to a humiliating defeat in the amateurs to Duane Bobick - Holmes had a lot to prove - both to himself and to the critics.
In an action-packed fight that saw great shifts in momentum throughout, Larry Holmes jumped ahead to an early lead, spearing Norton with his long, educated, snappy jab. The first few rounds were almost non-competitive as Norton lunged, groped, and labored to reach Holmes with a telling blow. Holmes appeared a class above Norton.
But then Norton started to break through! Holmes was jabbing and moving, and he was landing his right hand, but Norton was cutting off the ring and finding Holmes with more and more of his punches. Just like in his fights against Muhammad Ali, Norton showed tremendous resiliency and determination; you could hit him but you couldn't discourage him. Norton kept coming, and his pressure was starting to tire Holmes, who was not moving as quickly or as confidently as he had been.
The title seemed to be up for grabs throughout the15 round affair. Just when it appeared that Holmes had complete control of the fight, Norton would rush back and pound Holmes' body and score with solid right hands to the head. And just when it seemed that Norton had Holmes ready to call it a night, Holmes would roar back and stun Norton with solid right hands and uppercuts. It was a back and forth battle all the way.
After 14 furious, action-packed rounds, the fight was dead even on the scorecards. Norton had to win the last round to keep his title; Holmes had to win it to become the new heavyweight champion. And both fighters came out for the last round as though their life depended on it.
Punches were flying in all directions. Norton hurt Holmes with big punches to the head, and it appeared that Larry, weary and wilting from Norton's pressure and from the pace of the fight, was about ready to go. Then, as Ken moved in for the kill, Larry would bounce back and stun Norton with a big punch. Norton hammered back. At one point a sharp uppercut from Norton crashed into Holmes' jaw and sent his mouthpiece flying. And Holmes punched back. The crowd was on its feet. Toe to toe action in the center of the ring. And with mere seconds to go, Larry Holmes mounted one final assault and stunned Norton with a titanic uppercut that buckled Norton's knees.
Then the bell sounded, ending one of the toughest, most action-packed fights ever!
Both fighters deserved to be crowned champions after that fight. In a tough and brutal sport, both Ken Norton and Larry Holmes fought their hearts out and pushed themselves to the brink of collapse. But as in all athletic contests, there has to be a winner and a loser.
“And the new heavyweight champion of the world, Larry Holmes”!
Larry Holmes won the fight by one point!
June 9th, 1978.
