Larry Holmes vs. Leroy Jones
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Larry Holmes vs. Leroy Jones, billed as The Unconquered, was a professional match contested on March 31, 1980, for the WBC heavyweight title.[1]
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| Date | March 31, 1980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Venue | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title(s) on the line | WBC heavyweight title | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tale of the tape | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Result | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Holmes wins via 8th-round technical knockout | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Background
In December 1979, Holmes signed to face undefeated contender Leroy Jones, with the deal contingent on Holmes first defeating fringe contender Lorenzo Zanon on February 3, 1980, which Holmes accomplished via sixth-round knockout.[2] The Holmes–Jones fight was broadcast by ABC as part of a four-fight, three-site telecast that also featured John Tate vs. Mike Weaver for the WBA heavyweight title and Marvin Johnson vs. Eddie Gregory, both at the Stokely Athletic Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Dave Boy Green for the WBC welterweight title at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland.[3]
The Holmes–Jones and Tate–Weaver fights were originally supposed to lead to a unification bout between Holmes and Tate, who had already agreed to face one another after their planned victories over their underdog opponents.[4] However, Tate reneged on his agreement with Holmes and instead planned to defend his title against the returning Muhammad Ali in a lucrative fight worth a reported $14 million.[5] Tate's plans were derailed when Weaver scored a last-round knockout to capture the WBA heavyweight title.[6]
Fight details
Holmes dominated Jones though eight rounds, constantly landing his powerful left jab while also mixing in straight right hands and right hooks. By the end of the fight, Jones had taken so much punishment to both eyes, that both were nearly swollen shut. The end came with just seconds left in the eighth round after Holmes landed a barrage of punches totaling over a dozen on a near-defenseless Jones. Though Jones was able to remain on his feet, he was badly dazed and on wobbly legs as referee Richard Green stepped in and stopped the fight at 2:56 of the round.
Jones claimed that Holmes had illegally thumbed him the eye and utilized the laces of his boxing gloves during the fight but blamed his loss on not being in the best of shape, stating after the fight "He thumbed me, he laced me. But that's not why I lost. I lost because I wasn't in the best condition."[7]
Fight card
Confirmed bouts:[8]
| Weight Class | Weight | vs. | Method | Round | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight | 200+ lbs. | Larry Holmes (c) | def. | Leroy Jones | TKO | 8/15 | note 1 |
| Cruiserweight | 190 lbs. | Marvin Camel | def. | Mate Parlov | UD | 15 | note 2 |
| Welterweight | 147 lbs. | Thomas Hearns | def. | Santiago Valdez | TKO | 1/10 | |
| Lightweight | 135 lbs. | Alexis Argüello | def. | Gerald Hayes | UD | 10 | |
| Heavyweight | 200+ lbs. | Eddie Wilson | def. | Marvin Stinson | DQ | 1/8 |
^Note 1 For WBC Heavyweight Title
^Note 2 For Inaugural WBC Cruiserweight Title
Broadcasting
| Country | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
 United States | ABC |