Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Boxing: The Sweet Science -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LPS5 who wrote (1257)	11/17/2000 7:35:48 PM
From: LPS5	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10489

Holmes vs Weaver: 21 years later and still ticking... By Flattop Former heavyweight champions Larry Holmes (67-6, 43 KO's) and Mike Weaver (41-17-1, 28 KO's) will have a 21 year reunion in the ring tonight at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS. Holmes -active at 51 - is the second longest reigning heavyweight champion in boxing history. The "Easton Assassin" won 20 defenses of his IBF and WBC heavyweight titles between 1978 and 1985. The "Brown Bomber" Joe Louis holds the longest record with 25 successful title defenses between 1937 and 1949. The first time around Holmes stopped Weaver in the eighth round to retain his WBC heavyweight title. Holmes had beat top contender Ken Norton in June of '78 to win the vacant title. Weaver was his third defense. Weaver - the younger man at 49 - went on to win the WBA heavyweight title with a 10th round TKO of John Tate in 1980. Weaver lost his title to Michael Dokes in 1982 suffering a controversial 1st round TKO that was an extremely premature stop.. I spoke with Larry about his fight Saturday and his plans in boxing. What are you thoughts about the fight with Weaver? I think it is great that we can do it again. I never thought twenty years ago that we would be doing it again at this age but that shows you what kind of fighters we are compared to the fighters of today. I been watching Mike spar and he is in tremendous shape. It's going to be a good fight. Why a rematch 21 years later? Because we can do it! It's that simple. When someone my age can beat half of the contenders out there and not get a shot, it says a lot about today's heavyweights. Was the first fight with Weaver controversial? Not really. I got thumbed in the both eyes and still beat him with blurred vision. It wasn't intentional. Back in those days the gloves had thumbs that could get caught in the opponent's eye socket if you hit him right. Some fighters would work the thumb into an opponent's eye on opponent. What kind of fighter was Mike Weaver 21 years ago? He was conditioned. He nickname was "Hercules" because of his muscles. He had a pawing jab, which is one of the reasons he thumbed me. I know Mike is happy to get a chance to revenge. Who wouldn't be? How is your conditioning? I can go 12 rounds, 15 rounds, you name it. I spar everyday with younger guys. I enjoy going into the gym and outboxing those younger guys. It's fun to me. Why do you continue to fight? Is it money? Prestige? Another championship? I'm fighting because I am better than most of the fighters out there. I enjoy it. I like the competition. I don't need the money. And people are not going to tell me what to do. I take care of myself. It's still in my blood and I have the hunger. I plan to be in the game another year or two. I want to fight Butterbean next and then George Foreman. I know if I make an impression Saturday people will tell George to come out of the kitchen and fight me. I want another championship but I know no champion in their right mind will give me a shot. Why Butterbean? Because he thinks he is a fighter. All I see is some fat guy who thinks he can fight. Give me Butterbean for ten rounds and you will have hamburger helper. Everybody talks about Butterbean but who - or what - has he fought? The man is a circus act! What do you think Lennox Lewis? How would you do in the ring today with Lewis? Lennox is still learning, there is room for improvement but he will keep winning and Manny Steward is the best trainer in the business. Lennox is still learning his jab. I would outsmart him with my experience and win a decision. George says he is retired. Why do you want George? We never fought in our age but I think the people can make it happen now. I honestly think George is afraid. I was a young fighter coming up when George was the champion. Now is our time to fight. George doesn't have the biggest heart. George proved that against Ali. I can jab, I have foot movement, but George doesn't have anything left. George looks like he weighs 300 pounds on television. What do you think about the heavyweights of today? Everybody looks the same to me. None of the contenders today have the dedication, the discipline, the self-training we had 20 years ago. Today's heavyweights don't have the fire in the belly, no jab or side-to-side movement, just punches. Who is the best heavyweight out there? I would have to say Mike Tyson because of his determination to bring the fight to you. Lennox Lewis is second but Mike would beat him because of his desire. Thank you Champ! Good Luck on Saturday.