LARRY HOLMES - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH 1987 CO-SIGNED BY: GERRY COONEY - HFSID 28830

LARRY HOLMES and GERRY COONEY
Larry Holms and Gerry Cooney sign a black and white photograph from their June 11, 1987 World Heavyweight Championship bout.
Photograph signed: "Best Wishes/Larry Holmes/Peace/'87" and "Lots of Love/G Cooney/87". B/w, 8x10. Photograph taken during their June 11, 1987 World Heavyweight Championship bout won by Holmes by a technical KO in the 13th round. In 1980, Gerry Cooney (born in 1956), who was ranked number 1 in the WBC, challenged Larry Holmes. In 1981, he beat former world Heavyweight champion Ken Norton by a knockout in the first in front of a Madison Square Garden crowd and HBO cameras. In 1982, Cooney's life changed. Holmes agreed to fight him, with a purse of one million dollars for the challenger. Cooney, who was attempting to become the first white World Heavyweight champion in 23 years, was nicknamed "The Great White Hope" by Don King. In what would be one of the biggest HBO Boxing productions in history, the fight was broadcast to over 150 countries around the world. Cooney lost his bid to become World Heavyweight champion by a knockout in 13 rounds. In 1987, he made a one-fight comeback to meet former World Heavyweight champion Michael Spinks, losing by a knockout in five rounds. In 1990, in Cooney's last fight, he lost in two rounds to former world champion George Foreman. Cooney retired with a record of 28 wins, 25 by KOs, and three losses. Boxer Larry Holmes was heavyweight champion (WBC or IBF) from 1978-1985. He successfully defended his title 20 times before losing to Michael Spinks. Holmes returned from his first retirement in 1988 and was KO'd in the 4th round by champ Mike Tyson. He launched a second comeback in 1991 and fought and lost title bids against Evander Holyfield in 1992 and Oliver McCall in 1995. Holmes beat Eric "Butterbean" Esch in a one-fight comeback in 2002. He has a pro record of 69-6 and 44 KOs. Fine condition.