BOXING DINNER: Larry Holmes visit put back a month

Ring legend Larry Holmes was to have visited the Solstice pub in Peterborough as the chief guest and speaker at a Kevin Sanders’ promotion on Friday October 14. But due to illness the date has now been put back to November 18.

Tickets are still available. For details Sanders can be contacted on 01733 371912 or 07872 601467.

Holmes, now 66, is the only fighter to stop Muhammad Ali. He grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania, which gave birth to his boxing nickname, the ‘Easton Assassin’.

His left jab was rated among the best in boxing history.

He was WBC heavyweight champion from 1978 to 1983 and held the IBF heavyweight title from 1983 to 1985. He made 20 successful title defences, placing him third in the all-time list behind only Joe Louis at 25 and Wladimir Klitschko at 22.

Holmes won his first 48 professional bouts, including victories over Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.

Holmes retired in 2002 and ended his career with a record of 69 wins and six losses.

He was inducted into both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.