LARRY HOLMES - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH CO-SIGNED BY: GERRY COONEY - HFSID 320211

LARRY HOLMES and GERRY COONEY
Color image of the boxers trading blows during their 1982 title bout
Photograph signed: "Larry Holmes" in black ink and "Gerry Cooney" in red ink. Color, 8x10. On June 11, 1982, depicted here, Holmes scored a 13th round TKO over Cooney to retain his title. Boxer LARRY HOLMES (b. 1949) 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. In 1980, GERRY COONEY (b. 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.Fine condition.