Nicknamed “The Easton Assassin”, Larry Holmes is a former professional boxer with an estimated net worth of $18 million. Born on November 3, 1949 in Cuthbert, Georgia, he grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania, which gave birth to his boxing nickname. He was the fourth of 12 children born to John and Flossie Holmes. He dropped out of school when he was in the seventh grade to help support the family. He went to work at a car wash for $1 an hour. He later drove a dump truck and worked in a quarry.

Holmes was nineteen when he started boxing. On March 21, 1973, he turned professional after a 19-3 amateur record and winning a four-round decision against Rodell Dupree. He worked as a sparring partner for Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Earnie Shavers and Jimmy Young early in his career. In March 1978, he first gained credibility as a contender when he upset the hard-punching Shavers. He won by a lopsided twelve-round unanimous decision after winning every round on two score cards and all but one on the third. His victory has set up a title shot between him and WBC Heavyweight Champion Ken Norton in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 9, 1978.

Larry Holmes was the WBC Heavyweight Champion from 1978 to 1983, The Ring Heavyweight Champion from 1980 to 1985, and the IBF Heavyweight Champion from 1983 to 1985. His left jab is rated among the best in boxing history. He made twenty successful title defenses, second only to 25 by Joe Louis. He won his first forty-eight professional bouts with victories over Shavers, Norton, Ali, Mike Weaver, Gerry Cooney, Tim Witherspoon and Marvis Frazier. He fell one short of matching Rocky Marciano’s career record of 49-0 when he lost to Michael Spinks in 1985.

After a rematch with Spinks, Holmes retired from boxing. However, he made repeated comebacks but was unsuccessful in three further attempts to regain the title, the last in 1995. In 2002, he had his last fight and his career ended with a record of 69-6. He is frequently ranked as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. He has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.