Oliver McCall vs. Larry Holmes

The Burden of Proof
Date April 8, 1995
Venue Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada
Title(s) on the line WBC Heavyweight Championship
Tale of the tape
Boxer United States Oliver McCall United States Larry Holmes
Nickname "The Atomic Bull" "The Easton Assassin"
Hometown Chicago, Illinois Easton, Pennsylvania
Pre-fight record 25–5 64–4
Height 6′ 2″ 6′ 3″
Weight 231 236
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBC
Heavyweight Champion		 WBC
No. 8 Ranked Heavyweight
Result
McCall won by a 12th round Unanimous Decision.

Oliver McCall vs. Larry Holmes, billed as "The Burden of Proof", was a professional boxing match contested on April 8, 1995 for the WBC Heavyweight Championship.[1]

Background

After Oliver McCall stuned Lennox Lewis in the second round to become WBC Heavyweight Champion, he turned down a $10 million offer from Lewis for an immediate rematch. Instead he agreed to fight 46 year old former WBC, IBF and lineal heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, who was making his fourth attempt at regaining a heavyweight title after losing to Michael Spinks in 1985.[2]

On the undercard WBA No. 2 Ranked Heavyweight Bruce Seldon, who had previously had his fighting heart and work ethic questioned, upset former champion and top ranked Tony Tucker to claim the vacant World Boxing Association title in the eighth round after the ringside doctor ordered the fight stopped because possible fracture of the eye socket of Tucker.

The fight

For most of the 12 rounds Holmes was often hanging on the ropes, allowing McCall to open a flurry, before countering with quick rights. McCall tried to jab with Holmes throwing right leads and connect with McCall's chin.

In the ninth round a McCall left barreled Holmes backward into the ropes, which were the only thing that kept him from falling. From then on, McCall's dominated the fight. There were no knockdowns, but McCall gave Holmes a severe gash on his left cheekbone.

Judges Barbara Perez and Tomi Tomihari gave the fight to McCall 115-114 and Chuck Giampa called it 115-112.[3]

Aftermath

McCall made his next defence against British veteran Frank Bruno, losing in a unanimous decision.

Undercard

Confirmed bouts:[4]

WinnerLoserWeight division/title belt(s) disputedResult
Dominican Republic Luis Santana United States Terry Norris WBC World super welterweight title 3rd round DQ.
Mexico Julio Cesar Chavez Italy Giovanni Parisi WBC World super lightweight title Unanimous Decision.
Puerto Rico Felix Trinidad United States Roger Turner IBF World welterweight title 2nd-round TKO
United States Bruce Seldon United States Tony Tucker vacant WBA World heavyweight title 7th-round RTD
Non-TV bouts
United States Carl Daniels United States James Mason Middleweight (10 rounds) 7th round RTD.
South Africa Frans Botha United States Willie Jake Heavyweight (8 rounds) Unanimous Decision.
United Kingdom Henry Akinwande United States Calvin Jones Heavyweight (8 rounds) 2nd-round KO.
United States Tim Austin United States Javier Diaz Bantamweight (8 rounds) 1st round Technical Draw.
Ghana Nana Konadu United States Robert Parra Super Bantamweight (8 rounds) 1st-round KO.
United States James Stanton Mexico Javier Diaz Heavyweight (6 rounds) 6th round PTS.

References

  1. ↑ "Oliver McCall vs. Larry Holmes". BoxRec.
  2. ↑ Dufresne, Chris (8 April 1995). "McCall Versus Holmes (Yes, That Holmes) Heads Five-Fight Card" – via LA Times.
  3. ↑ "McCall wears down Holmes, wins decision". Baltimore Sun.
  4. ↑ "Event". BoxRec.
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