By Burnett Munthali
Larry Holmes, the former heavyweight world champion famously known as ‘The Easton Assassin,’ has stirred fresh controversy in the boxing world with a scathing attack on the late George Foreman, branding him the most overrated champion in heavyweight history.
Holmes, whose career blossomed in the mid-1970s, carved a legacy as one of the finest pugilists the sport has seen, capturing the world heavyweight title in 1978 and successfully defending it 20 times until 1985.
The boxing legend, who fought a total of 75 times and earned victories over iconic names such as Muhammad Ali, Earnie Shavers, and Ken Norton, is widely revered for his technically sound style and his laser-accurate left jab, which remains one of the most celebrated weapons in boxing lore.
However, Holmes has always been candid, sometimes even blunt, in his commentary about fellow fighters—never one to mince his words when he believes history is being too generous.
One name he has never held in high regard is George Foreman, a two-time heavyweight champion whose remarkable second act in boxing inspired millions around the world.
In a recent YouTube speech, Holmes launched an uncompromising verbal assault on Foreman’s legacy, asserting that “everybody knew” Foreman couldn’t fight.
Holmes went on to say, “Everybody know that George Foreman can’t fight, everybody know that Tommy Morrison kicked his butt, everybody know that Shannon Briggs kicked his butt, everybody knew that he wouldn’t fight me… George Foreman is the biggest phoney ever.”
The boldness of Holmes’ statement shocked many, especially in light of Foreman’s passing last month at the age of 76.
George Foreman’s professional boxing journey spanned more than three decades and was marked by two reigns as heavyweight champion, making him one of only a handful of fighters to accomplish such a feat.
His comeback win in 1994 against Michael Moorer, which saw him claim the WBA and IBF heavyweight belts at the age of 45, is immortalized as one of the sport’s greatest stories, symbolizing persistence, grit, and redemption.
But Holmes remains unmoved by the feel-good narrative, insisting that Foreman’s record is inflated and lacking in substance.
Holmes also reignited discussions around a fight that never happened—one that could have altered heavyweight history.
He claims that despite interest and negotiations during the late 1970s, Foreman avoided a showdown with him, instead walking away from the sport to pursue a career as a preacher following his 1977 loss to Jimmy Young.
Foreman’s decision to step away from boxing after that defeat meant that fans were denied what could have been an epic clash between two powerful heavyweights at the height of their prowess.
For decades, there has been speculation and debate among fans about who would have won that hypothetical bout, with some favoring Holmes’ jab and footwork, and others betting on Foreman’s brute strength and punching power.
Holmes’ remarks have reignited those debates, this time with a sharper edge due to the timing and directness of his comments.
In the wake of Foreman’s death, many figures in the boxing community paid glowing tributes to the man known as ‘Big George,’ hailing him not just for his accomplishments inside the ring but also for his humility and transformation outside of it.
Yet Holmes has chosen to go against the tide, challenging the consensus and casting doubt on the authenticity of Foreman’s career achievements.
While some critics accuse Holmes of bitterness or jealousy, others see it as another example of his unfiltered honesty and his refusal to conform to sentimental narratives.
Regardless of where one stands, Holmes’ comments have stirred a hornet’s nest and forced a reexamination of boxing’s hallowed figures.
His statements remind fans and historians that legacies in sport are often layered, complicated, and contested—and that even decades after the final bell, rivalries in boxing may never truly die.
In a sport where myth and memory often intertwine, Larry Holmes has once again broken through the polite silence with a punch of brutal truth, landing a verbal uppercut that will be felt in the boxing world for years to come.
