Boxing

 

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.

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