The passage describes the boxing match between Mike Tyson and Larry Holmes, which took place on January 22, 1988. Tyson, who idolized Muhammad Ali, was motivated to beat Holmes as a way of avenging his idol's loss to Holmes in 1980. Holmes, who was 38 years old at the time, was a formidable opponent with a strong record, but Tyson was determined to prove himself as the superior fighter.
The passage also provides background information on Holmes' career, including his rise to fame in the 1970s and his notable victories over opponents such as Ken Norton and Muhammad Ali. It also highlights Holmes' reputation as a tough and skilled fighter who was respected by his peers.
The fight itself was a dominant performance by Tyson, who used his quickness and powerful punches to overwhelm Holmes. The fight ended with Holmes being knocked down in the fourth round, and Tyson was declared the winner by knockout.
The passage also touches on the personal relationships between Tyson, Holmes, and Ali, including their mutual respect and admiration for each other. It also notes that Tyson and Holmes remained friends after their fight, and that Tyson's relationship with Ali became stronger over time.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Larry Holmes became the heavyweight champion in 1978 after defeating Ken Norton for the WBC Title.
2. Holmes was a relatively unknown quantity when he became champion, having only shared the ring with one notable name, Ernie Shavers.
3. Holmes' reputation was infamous among heavyweight elites, particularly as a sparring partner for top guys like Ernie Shavers and Joe Frazier.
4. Muhammad Ali took a close liking to Holmes and brought him on board as a sparring partner as early as 1968.
5. Holmes defeated Muhammad Ali in 1980, becoming the first and only person to defeat Ali inside the distance.
6. Mike Tyson idolized Muhammad Ali and was deeply affected by Ali's loss to Holmes.
7. Tyson made a promise to Ali to avenge his loss to Holmes when he got older.
8. Larry Holmes made 19 world title defenses, with eight of those against young, undefeated rising top talents.
9. Holmes' record was 48-0 before he suffered his first defeat at the hands of Michael Spinks in 1985.
10. Holmes came out of retirement in 1988 to challenge Mike Tyson for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship.
11. Mike Tyson defeated Larry Holmes in 1988, with Holmes being knocked down in the fourth round.
12. Holmes continued to fight until his retirement in 2002, 15 years after the Tyson match.
13. Larry Holmes is considered one of the most underappreciated champions in history.
14. Tyson and Holmes remained good friends after their fight.
15. Mike Tyson's relationship with Muhammad Ali became stronger after the Holmes fight, and they met annually until Ali's death in 2016.