madjack
12-06-2002, 04:15 AM
Holmes, 53, comeback fight
From our wire services
11jun02
News Interactive
NORFOLK, Virginia: Former heavyweight boxing champion Larry Holmes is coming out of retirement to fight Eric "Butterbean" Esch.
Holmes, 53, who retired less than two years ago, will face Esch in a 10-round bout on July 27 at the Scope Arena.
"Some things are worth come out of retirement for," Holmes said in a statement. "This is to get rid of some of the gaudiness and honky-tonk from the sport."
Holmes said this will "really, truly" be the final fight of his career.
The former WBC and IBF champion is 68-6 with 44 knockouts. Holmes' 20 consecutive title defences is the second-longest streak next to Joe Louis' 25 straight.
Esch has a 46-1-2 record with 35 knockouts against unheralded opponents.
"We've talked to a lot of heavyweights about fighting and have been turned down," Esch said. "A lot of heavyweights know that I can hit, so they get beat by me, they're done."
From our wire services
11jun02
News Interactive
NORFOLK, Virginia: Former heavyweight boxing champion Larry Holmes is coming out of retirement to fight Eric "Butterbean" Esch.
Holmes, 53, who retired less than two years ago, will face Esch in a 10-round bout on July 27 at the Scope Arena.
"Some things are worth come out of retirement for," Holmes said in a statement. "This is to get rid of some of the gaudiness and honky-tonk from the sport."
Holmes said this will "really, truly" be the final fight of his career.
The former WBC and IBF champion is 68-6 with 44 knockouts. Holmes' 20 consecutive title defences is the second-longest streak next to Joe Louis' 25 straight.
Esch has a 46-1-2 record with 35 knockouts against unheralded opponents.
"We've talked to a lot of heavyweights about fighting and have been turned down," Esch said. "A lot of heavyweights know that I can hit, so they get beat by me, they're done."