44 years ago

Date: 31st March 1980

Venue: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

Title: WBC World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: Don King Productions

Referee: Richard Green

Tv: ABC Sports

Larry Holmes
( 33 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 211 lbs

Leroy Jones
( 24 - 0 - 1 )
Weight: 254½ lbs

Caesars Palace in Las Vegas hosted as Larry Holmes defended his WBC World Heavyweight Title against Leroy Jones on March 31, 1980. Holmes, weighing 211 pounds and holding a 33-0 record, was a 12 to 1 favorite. Jones, at 254 pounds with a 24-0-1 record, was undefeated but largely untested at the championship level.

From the outset, Holmes established control with his jab, targeting Jones' head and body. Jones struggled to mount an effective offence, and his eyes were significantly swollen by the middle rounds. Holmes' dominance was reflected in the judges' scorecards: Duane Ford had it 70-63, Art Lurie scored it 70-64, and Chuck Minker saw it 70-62, all in favour of Holmes.

In the eighth round, Holmes intensified his attack, cornering Jones and delivering a series of unanswered punches. At 2:56 of the round, referee Richard Green intervened to stop the bout, awarding Holmes a technical knockout victory. This marked Holmes' sixth successful defence of his WBC heavyweight title.

Financially, Holmes earned $1.3 million for the fight, while Jones received $150,000. The bout was broadcast live on ABC-TV, part of a championship boxing tripleheader that also featured John Tate vs. Mike Weaver and Marvin Johnson vs. Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.
Holmes' performance against Jones further solidified his status as a dominant force in the heavyweight division during that era.