I fought into my 50s, I faced Tyson, Ali, and Holyfield, but who hit me the hardest during my 75 fight career?

Larry Holmes enjoyed an illustrious career where he reigned as heavyweight champion for seven years during the early 1980s. 

At the peak of his powers, Holmes was a formidable force and his run on top saw him enjoy many high profile wins against great names including a faded Muhammad Ali, Tim Witherspoon, and Trevor Berbick. 

After losing his world title to Michael Spinks in 1985, Holmes failed to beat him again the following year, and his return in 1988 saw him stopped for the first time in his career when he was brutally halted by a young Mike Tyson.  

Resuming bis career in the 1990s, Holmes would seek the opportunity to become heavyweight champion again, but he would fail in his efforts to reclaim the crown when he was beaten by Evander Holyfield and Oliver McCall. 

After sharing the ring with so many big punchers, who does Holmes consider hardest he ever faced? That answer is Earnie Shavers who Holmes defeated twice.  

The pair first met in 1978, and Holmes announced himself as a serious contender as he dominated Shavers to win handily on the scorecards. 

In their rematch the following year, Holmes had to climb off the canvas to regain his world title, but he was able to beat Shavers for a second time with an 11th round stoppage. 

“Earnie Shavers, no doubt about it,” said Holmes when speaking to Boxing News in 2015 . 

“He could knock the hell out of you!”

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