LARRY HOLMES vs. LEON SPINKS (Site*) 

Description : Here we have a super rare vintage onsite poster from the Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, USA, 12th June 1981 for the WBC world heavyweight championship.

The 4/1 favorite Holmes was making his 10th defence of his WBC crown against former champion & Ali conqueror Leon Spinks. The fight was billed as a tribute to Joe Louis, who died two months earlier. Holmes started slow but poured out his spite on Spinks who was hammered in the 3rd round, Holmes pinned Spinks to the ropes and pounded him with a barrage of right hands. Spinks went down but was able to regain his feet at the count of nine. Holmes then trapped Spinks in the challenger's corner and hit him with right after right until the referee stepped in and stopped the fight, just as Spinks' corner threw in the towel.

While Holmes was doing a post-fight interview with ABC's Howard Cosell, he spotted Gerry Cooney, the #1 contender, being steered in their direction by an ABC aide. Holmes' eyes flared. When Cosell mentioned Cooney, Holmes said, "Howard, I'm going to slap his face if you bring him over here." Holmes then stood up and went after Cooney. During the melee, Holmes accidentally elbowed Cosell in the mouth, slightly cutting his lower lip.

Postage: 10.00 Special Delivery... 20.00 International.