37 years ago

Date: 20th May 1985

Venue: Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, USA

Title: IBF World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: M&M Sports - Murad Muhammad

Tv: NBC Sports

Larry Holmes
( 47 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 222 1/4 lbs

Carl Williams
( 16 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 215 lbs

In the third defence of his IBF world heavyweight title, 35-year-old Larry Holmes took on the ten years younger Carl 'The Truth' Williams at The Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada, and while coming away with a unanimous decision to retain his title, Holmes said afterwards that he needed a rest after three fights in 6 months, "They are getting younger and stronger. These young guys are really game."

There were those in the 6,046 strong crowd that booed the decision, feeling that the 25-year-old Williams from White Plains, New York had done enough to take the title.

Holmes moved to 48-0, one win away from equaling Rocky Marciano's record. Marciano is the only world heavyweight champion to ever retire undefeated.

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