RSSLarry Holmes
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Holmes: Morrison is “Full of Crap”, Still Has AIDS
Former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes appeared on ESPN Radio’s The Dan Patrick Show earlier today and certainly didn’t shy away from talking about the Tommy Morrison situation going on right now…
Holmes on Morrison’s claims of being AIDS-free:
“I think he’s full of crap. I think he’s got it and it’s a shame that he gets in the ring and he just might infect someone else. We still don’t know a lot about that disease that he’s carrying around called AIDS,” Holmes said.
Holmes on why Morrison is still fighting despite having the disease:
“I think he’s broke and he could use some money and that’s why fighters do these things. That’s why fighters are fighting him. They could get a few dollars by stepping in the ring and facing Tommy Morrison. We could all say ‘well it won’t happen to me,’ but it could happen to you,” Holmes said. “Tommy Morrison thought the same thing ‘it would never happen to me.’ Look it happened to him. He’s infected and he says ‘what hell, I might as well give someone else the disease, somebody gave it to me.’
Holmes on testing and Morrison’s next fight:
“They (Nevada State Athletic Commission) are going to put him through a test. When I fought in Las Vegas over the age of 40, they put me through ever test to make sure I was healthy. They wanted to make sure that I was capable to do what I was doing and those are the kind of tests they are going to put Tommy Morrison through. He knows this and this is why he chose not to go to Las Vegas,” Holmes said. “Anybody can go to a reservation. I’m 57-years-old and if I wanted to fight, I can go to any reservation to fight. But, if I go to Las Vegas, they are going to put me through all kinds of tests to make sure I can even stand up. Not only if I could stand up, but somebody would tell me no.
Holmes on getting in the ring with Morrison:
“No. I wouldn’t get in the ring with Tommy Morrison now because of the disease that he has and I don’t want to be infected. I don’t know why anybody would want to get in the ring with him. They have to be desperate fighters to get in the ring with Tommy Morrison and not really caring about their life or their family’s lives,” Holmes said.
“I want to say to Tommy and I hope he’s listening. Give it up. You were former heavyweight champion of the world. You beat George Foreman. You should put that on your chest and wear it. No matter what people say, you were the heavyweight champ of the world so why continue to go out there and stress yourself out.”
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Thursday, December 14, 2006
Respecting “Mister” Snipes
He came within an eyelash of upsetting the great Larry Holmes and winning the heavyweight championship of the world. For the better part of the 1980’s he was ranked in the top ten. By the time his career ended he had crossed gloves with no less then eight men who at one time held the moniker, world champion.
Renaldo “Mister” Snipes was born on August 15, 1956 in Houston,Texas. He fought out of Yonkers, N.Y. as he turned pro in 1978. He won his first twenty two bouts as he progressed quickly up in the rankings. In 1980 he halted Larry Alexander and Dwain Bonds. In 1981 Renaldo made his move. He defeated the powerful Floyd “Jumbo” Cummings. Then he outscored light heavyweight champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. Renaldo next met the hard punching Gerrie Coetzee. Snipes was awarded what I felt was a terrible decision over the South African. The win over Coetzee enabled Snipes to get a shot at WBC titleholder Larry Holmes. The fight took place November 6, 1981 in Pittsburgh. Holmes, a heavy favorite dominated most of the first six rounds. In round seven though Snipes lightning struck and down went Holmes. Larry gamely got up but he was in bad shape. Somehow Larry would survive the round much like he did when Earnie Shavers had decked him in an earlier fight. Larry regained control of the bout over the next few rounds. In the eleventh Larry hurt Snipes badly and was all over him forcing the referee to wave the fight off. Although Snipes was in trouble it seemed a bit unfair to Renaldo that the referee halted the contest yet when Snipes had Holmes reeling after a knockdown he allowed Holmes to go on.