EASTON, Pa. — Legendary heavyweight boxing champion Larry Holmes was honored by city council this week for the 50th anniversary of the start of his professional career.
The "Easton Assassin" on Wednesday was warmly greeted at council's meeting at the Easton Area Community Center and introduced by Mayor Sal Panto Jr.
- Easton City Council honored boxer Larry Holmes' 50th anniversary of his professional career on April 12
- Mayor Sal Panto Jr. declared the day Larry Holmes Day in Easton
- Holmes started his career in boxing at the community center
Panto reminisced about their shared history before inviting his old friend to celebrate the half-century since Holmes rose to the pros, winning a four-round decision against Rodell Dupree in March 1973.
“The champ deserves all the accolades he gets," Panto said. "It was great to have him at our meeting, it was great to have him back at St. Anthony Youth Center — which was the original name for this facility before it was the Easton Area Community Center."
“The champ deserves all the accolades he gets. It was great to have him at our meeting, it was great to have him back at St. Anthony Youth Center – which was the original name for this facility before it was the Easton Area Community Center."Easton Mayor Salvatore Panto Jr.
The ceremony had been delayed from the previous meeting because Holmes had not been able to attend.
Panto also declared April 12 Larry Holmes Day in the city, noting the interesting twist of Holmes accepting his award at the Easton Area Community Center.
“It feels good," said Holmes, 73. "It feels good every day, I drive by here every day, and it keeps those memories in my head.”
As Panto put it, there was a funny sense of coincidence in holding the ceremony and meeting at the community center, as the location served as the starting point for Holmes’ life in boxing.
World heavyweight champ
Over his storied career, Holmes held several heavyweight titles and took down legends including Muhammad Ali, Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers and Mike Weaver, among others, bringing plenty of notoriety to the city of Easton.
As Panto highlighted, Holmes was in a class all his own, taking on every challenger and fighting up to three times a year — a feat practically unheard of in professional boxing.
Renowned for his left jab, Holmes finished his professional stint with a 69-6 record, along with the honor of being the only boxer to ever defeated Ali by stoppage.
Panto had a physical award ready to gift to the champion athlete and community hero, though there was a slight hiccup when it came time to present it.
“That’s what it’s all about. You take it away, you give it back. You’ve got to give it back, and that’s all I have to say.”Former heavyweight boxing champion Larry Holmes
“Larry, I’ll deliver that award to you tomorrow, because it’s in my office,” Panto said with a laugh, followed by Holmes jokingly telling the mayor to hold onto it for him.
Holmes, who attended the meeting with his wife, Diane, maintains a strong presence in the community to this day and is frequently seen out and about in the city.
His connection to the community center is strong, eliciting a smile whenever he speaks of the property and the benefits it provides for local children — including those who were playing basketball at the center during the meeting.
“That’s what it’s all about," Holmes said. "You take it away, you give it back. You’ve got to give it back, and that’s all I have to say.”
