40 years ago tonight, Detroit hosted the WBC Heavyweight Championship bout between undefeated champ Larry Holmes and Olympic gold medalist Leon Spinks. The fight occurred just a couple months after the death of boxing legend Joe Louis, for whom the venue was named.
ABC, led by Howard Cosell, broadcast the fight live in prime time. Holmes won by a third-round stoppage to retain the title. After the fight, he inadvertently--at least everyone is pretty sure it was an accident--busted Cosell in the mouth while rushing to get at ringside observer/future challenger Gerry Cooney. You know, weird stuff just found a way to happen to Holmes.
No comments:
Post a Comment