Visit to Wooster reveals character of Larry Holmes
When Wooster small businessman Rick Johnson needed some heavyweight marketing muscle behind his campaign to mark the opening of his new business, he knew exactly where to turn.That where was actually a who: former heavyweight Larry Holmes, who was boxing champion of the world for nearly eight years from 1978-1985.
Holmes was in Wooster Friday, April 30, to mark the grand opening of the Access Store. Located at 3417 Cleveland Road, the Access Store is an Internet café where people can go for access to Internet games, phone cards or to send faxes and make copies.
Holmes' appearance brought a steady stream of people into the store from 7-10 p.m., introducing people to the store and its services, as well as getting an autograph from or a photo with Holmes, as well as being able to spend a few minutes in conversation with him.
That was on the surface. What was under the surface was the bond of friendship as Holmes had a very good reason not to appear in Wooster. All of Johnson's planning was nearly knocked out when Holmes' wife, Diane, was rushed to the hospital with a heart condition Thursday evening. But if Larry Holmes thought he was going to remain by his wife's bedside, he was sadly mistaken.
"My wife told me to get... on that plane and come over here," laughed Holmes during a short break from meeting fans. "She had me call our housekeeper, who has been with us 30 years. She is the greatest. She is there for my wife and me and our family. She left her family to come sit with my wife and she told me to get on that plane, too."
By the time 24 hours had lapsed, Diane was fine and Holmes was able to rest a bit easier, even though he was hours away.
"She was doing fine," said Holmes.
Holmes' willingness to honor his commitment was a gesture Johnson appreciated.
"I've known Larry since 1974 or '75," said Johnson, who knows Holmes, quite understandably, could have remained home in Easton, Pa., rather than make the trip to Wooster. "Larry doesn't forget his roots and where he came from. He is a guy grounded in reality. He understands you have a few friends in life and a lot of acquaintances, and you hang onto your friends."
That is a measure of Holmes' life. He moved to Easton as a child and has remained there. He and his wife have been together for over 30 years and Holmes has enjoyed a 30-plus year relationship with his trainer, Richie Giachetti, who lives in nearby Lodi and made the visit with Holmes as well.
"Larry is so independent," said Johnson. "He has a close-knit family and friends and he didn't get caught up in all the hype (that went with being heavyweight champion). A lot of other boxers are shot or bankrupt or on drugs – Larry's kept his money.
"He's kept his money and he's invested it. He's invested into Easton and he's built a couple of buildings downtown. He puts on a kids' festival that has carnival rides for the kids of Easton. … He hasn't forgotten where he came from."
Holmes began his career as a sparring partner with men who would all become heavyweight champions or contenders, such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Earnie Shavers and Jimmy Young. He's kept his money from fighting such luminaries as Ali, Frazier, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks and Michael Spinks, who handed Holmes the first loss of his pro career after winning 48 straight bouts. However, before those glory days Holmes had a rough-and-tumble start to life.
Living in the projects in Easton, Holmes was a seventh-grade dropout and went to work to help provide for his mother and 11 siblings after their father had left them. He began boxing at the age of 19 and caught the eye of Ali's camp shortly after losing to Duane Bobick in the 1972 Olympic trials.
He had his first pro fight a year later, but caught everyone's attention when he knocked out Shavers in March of 1978. That earned him a shot at Norton three months later, and he earned a 15-round decision to earn the WBC crown. He would remain champion until September 1985, when Michael Spinks stopped a 48-0 Holmes in his bid to tie Rocky Marciano's record with a close unanimous decision. It's a decision that still rankles to this day, and when Spinks won a disputed rematch eight months later, Holmes opted for retirement from the sport with a 48-2 record.
He was drawn back 14 months later to fight Mike Tyson and he continued to fight periodically until 2002, going 21-4 to finish his career with a 69-6 mark.
He shared those stories, and many others, with all who asked.
Now he's in true retirement mode, working on his investments in Easton. His loyalty to his hometown hasn't been lost on the community as a statue to Holmes is being built from contributions from friends and fans to honor him (fans can purchase a brick to help in its construction). That loyalty, in part, stems from Holmes and his willingness to give back to his community and friends. That was why he chose not to bail on Johnson.
"It's not about me," said Holmes, who made several stops around Wooster. "It cost him money (for advertising), so I wasn't going to let him down. Everybody today got an autographed picture; if they wanted a handshake, they got a handshake; if they wanted a picture (with Holmes) they got that.
"Rick's a great guy. I'm honored to come here and help him."