Larry Holmes and Leon Spinks DUAL SIGNED (silver sharpie) WBC heavyweight title action shot 8" x 10" photo.

Condition mint

12th June 1981, Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan.

Holmes W TKO 3

Price: £ SOLD

Larry Holmes vs Leon Spinks

Larry Holmes born on November 3, 1949 in Cuthbert, Georgia. Holmes and his family relocated to Easton, Pennsylvania in 1956 where he began boxing at the local PAL.

As an amateur, Holmes compiled a 19-3 record and advanced to the 1972 Olympic Trails. He turned pro in 1973 and gained valuable experience while sparring with heavyweight champions Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. A win over hard-punching Earnie Shavers (W 12) garnered Holmes a WBC title go with Ken Norton on June 9, 1978. In one of the great heavyweight title bouts of all-time, Holmes won the title via 15-round decision. Behind his signature left jab, an impressive string of seventeen defences followed, including wins over Mike Weaver, Shavers, Scott LeDoux, Muhammad Ali, Leon Spinks, Trevor Berbick, “Tex” Cobb and a much-hyped bout with Gerry Cooney.

In 1982, The Ring magazine named Holmes “Fighter of the Year.” He relinquished the WBC strap in 1983 and accepted recognition from the newly formed International Boxing Federation (IBF) as champion. Three successful title defences followed (TKO 12 James “Bonecrusher” Smith, KO 10 David Bey, and W 15 Carl “The Truth” Williams) before losing the title to Michael Spinks (L 15) on September 21, 1985. Following a disputed loss (L 15) in the rematch, Holmes retired.

He returned to the ring to challenge for the title three times, against Mike Tyson in 1988 (TKO by 4), Evander Holyfield in 1992 (L12) and Oliver McCall in 1995 (L12). In 2002 Holmes hung up the gloves for good with a 69-6 (44 KOs) record.

A successful businessman, Holmes owns and operates a variety of business ventures in Easton.









Leon Spinks began his career with great performances and was - National Amateur Light Heavyweight Champion three times, Olympic Light Heavyweight Gold Medal Champion and Heavyweight Champion of the World in only his eighth bout; Not only did he earn these remarkable accomplishments but he was the winner over Muhammad Ali in the process - a distinction he shares with Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick

On the negative side, these early achievements pushed Leon onto a greater level of competition before he was truly ready; He had not yet developed or perfected the skills required to fight with the better men; In addition, he lacked the necessary focus to compete at the very highest level; Losses and discouragement were inevitable

During his career, Spinks defeated such men as Ali, Alfredo Evangelista, Bernardo Mercado, Jesse Burnett, Tom Fisher and Andre Crowder

Leon is the brother of Michael Spinks and father of Cory Spinks.