45 years ago
Larry Holmes vs Lorenzo Zanon
Date: 3rd February 1980
Venue: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
Title: WBC World Heavyweight Title
Promoter: Don King Productions
Referee: Ray Solis
Larry Holmes
(
32
-
0
-
0
)
Weight: 213½ lbs
Lorenzo Zanon
(
25
-
4
-
2
)
Weight: 215 lbs
On February 3, 1980, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Larry Holmes defended his WBC World Heavyweight Title against Lorenzo Zanon. With a record of 32-0-0 and weighing 213½ pounds, Holmes was heavily favoured at 10 to 1. Zanon, the European champion from Italy, entered the bout with a 25-4-2 record and weighed 215 pounds.
In the early rounds, Zanon used his movement and jab to disrupt Holmes' rhythm, occasionally landing scoring punches. Despite these efforts, Holmes maintained composure and applied consistent pressure. Holmes' persistence paid off in the fourth round as he knocked Zanon down twice. Notably, referee Ray Solis administered a standing eight-count after one of the knockdowns, despite such counts not being permitted under Nevada's boxing regulations.
By the sixth round, Holmes had fully asserted his dominance. At 2:39 into the round, he delivered a decisive right cross that floored Zanon. Solis proceeded with the count, but Zanon could not continue, resulting in a knockout victory for Holmes. The judges' scorecards at the time of the stoppage were Art Lurie 49-45, Harold Buck 48-46, and Chuck Minker 49-44, all in favour of Holmes.
This bout marked Holmes' fifth successful defence of his WBC heavyweight title. Financially, Holmes earned $600,000 for the fight, while Zanon received $125,000. The match was contested in a 20-foot ring, standard for championship bouts of that era.
Larry Holmes vs Lorenzo Zanon on YouTube
