SPORTSCLOPEDIA 1: ERROL SPENCE SAYS HE WILL NOT FIGHT MANNY PACQUIAO LIKE WHAT LARRY HOLMES DID TO MUHAMMAD ALI
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 21 Dec 2022
Errol Spence says he has no interest in fighting a 44-year-old Manny Pacquiao as the eight-division world champion considers making a comeback fight with him or with Terence Crawford. Spence said Larry Holmes is one of the greatest heavyweights but he doesn't get the respect he deserves. "How he beat Muhammad Ali—he f**ked him up," Spence was quoted by Michael Benson of TalkSPORT.
* * *
Larry Holmes was Ali's sparring partner for a very long time. Ali and Holmes agreed to fight on October 2, 1980 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Promoter Don King announced that Ali would be paid $8 million and Holmes would get $6 million. The live gate was $6 million, which was a record revenue for that time.
* * *
The Nevada State Athletic Commission ordered the former heavyweight champion to be examined at Mayo Clinic as a requirement for a boxing license. His neurological exam was conducted by Dr. Frank Howard, whose report determined that there were no specific findings to refrain Ali from fighting. The Mayo Clinic report was forwarded to the Nevada State Athletic Committee. Based on the report, Ali was issued a license to box in Nevada.
* * *
There were no knockdowns, but Holmes heavily dominated the fight and was awarded all rounds by all three judges. Holmes won by a technical knockout after Ali's trainer Angelo Dundee stopped the fight after the tenth round. It was the only fight Ali lost by stoppage
* * *
Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial wants a scintillating victory when the hard-hitting southpaw fights for the fourth time as a professional in February next year. Popular strength and conditioning coach Memo Heredia is optimistic Marcial can make it.
* * *
In his first professional bout, Marcial went the distance when he defeated Andrew Whitfield. He was almost knocked out by Isiah Hart in his second match he had to get up from the floor thrice before scoring a fourth-round stoppage in Las Vegas. In his last fight, Marcial could not stop Steven Pichardo and just won by decision.
* * *
But Heredia said Marcial is having good improvements technically in his training and doing great sparring. He added that Marcial is extremely focused and will look sharp and strong for his coming fight especially if he stays longer in the United States.
* * *
Nicknamed La Albiceleste (The White and Sky Blue), the Argentina men's football team are now the reigning world champions, having won the most recent World Cup in 2022 in Qatar. They won the final against the title holder France 4–2 on penalties following a 3–3 draw after extra time. Argentina has appeared in the World Cup final six times, a record surpassed only by Brazil (7) and Germany (8).
* * *
Argentina played in the first ever FIFA World Cup final in 1930, but lost to Uruguay. Argentina's next final game came 48 years later in 1978, when the team captained by Daniel Passarella defeated the Netherlands 3–1 in extra time, and they became world champions for the first time.
* * *
Captained by Diego Maradona, Argentina won their second World Cup crown eight years later in 1986, with a 3–2 victory over West Germany. They reached the final again under the leadership of Maradona in 1990, but were beaten 1–0 by West Germany.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
MAGSAYO, MARCIAL REGISTER WINS IN LAS VEGAS
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 20 Jul 2025Pacquiao vs Barrios: Factors of consequence
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 20 Jul 2025How to Watch Pacquiao vs Barrios in the Philippines
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 20 Jul 2025Final Hours Tick Down: Pacquiao and Barrios Ready for Destiny in Las Vegas
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Philippines Sweeps Kyrgyzstan, Secures Return to Davis Cup Group III
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Blu Girls Bounce Back, Blank Hong Kong 12–0 in Four Innings
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Pacquiao vs. Barrios: Weigh-in Results and Fight Analysis
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Panamanian Star Nataly Delgado wins WBA super flyweight champinship
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Usyk vs Dubois Rematch Marred by Oversaturated Pay-Per-View Market
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Weights from Washington, PA
Sat, 19 Jul 2025Pacquiao and Barrios Make Weight: Final Hurdle Cleared for Blockbuster Saturday Night
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Usyk Registers Career-Heaviest Weight as Dubois Looks Ready for Undisputed Rematch at Wembley
Sat, 19 Jul 2025Rodriguez vs. Cafu Unification Clash Set for Frisco, Texas; All Fighters Make Weight
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 19 Jul 2025LOPEZ VS. VARGAS WEIGHTS FROM PECHANGA RESORT CASINO
Sat, 19 Jul 2025“Bambol” Tolentino in Las Vegas: Supporting Filipino Athletes and Pacquiao
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 18 Jul 2025