34 Years Later, Larry Holmes Regrets Letting Muhammad Ali Get His Revenge

But Holmes also threw in an interesting what-if: If they had met in Holmes’ prime, things would’ve been different. He said, “He would stand in front of you, try and push you against the ropes, but he wouldn’t have been able to do that to me in my prime. I would have beaten him.” And honestly? That’s not too wild a claim when you understand the reality of the situation. Holmes in his prime was a beast—many considered him one of the greatest heavyweights ever.

The fight with Tyson? It was Tyson’s second defense of his undisputed title, and Holmes was already 38 years old—ironically, the same age Muhammad Ali was when Holmes beat him back in 1980. And this is why, the victory was all the more sweeter for Iron Mike. You see, Mike Tyson was 14 years old when he traveled with his mentor Cus D’Amato to watch his hero Muhammad Ali fight Larry Holmes at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Ali, 38 at the time, was already showing reduced mobility, a probable early symptom of his Parkinsons. Despite repeated attempts by his former doctor Fergie Pacheco to halt the bout, Ali and his team went ahead with the fight. In the fight, a reluctant Larry Holmes put a shellacking on the aged Ali with his corner eventually stopping the fight in the 10th round. That was a terrible night for both Ali and Tyson.

A tale of vengeance 8 years in the making for Mike Tyson

“I was offended by how bad he beat up Ali,” Tyson admitted to ESPN years later. “When we drove home to Catskill, nobody in the car said a word. We were all so upset.” The next morning while on a call with Muhammad Ali, Cus D’Amato introduced the young Mike to Ali. Here, the young kid vowed to avenge Muhammad Ali for what Holmes did to him. “I’m a revenge you. I’m a restore your honor. When I get big, Im’ma get him for you,” Tyson reportedly told Ali. And when fight night in 1988 came around, Tyson was ready. The best part—Ali was in the audience to watch him exact his revenge. Before the fight, Muhammad Ali stepped into the ring and after shaking hands with both the combatants, whispered into Tyson’s ear: “Get him for me!” And “Get him” Iron Mike did. The beating was even more brutal than the one Holmes gave Ali. Talk about poetic payback.

But let’s not forget, there was a 17-year age gap between Holmes and Tyson when they fought and Holmes was coming off of two back-to-back losses to Michael Spinks. So yeah, it was basically a young wrecking ball crashing into an aging legend. So why did he take the fight against Tyson? Holmes didn’t sugarcoat it. “Money. It’s the money,” he admitted regrettably in the interview.

And let’s get one thing straight—Larry Holmes wasn’t just some washed-up ex-champion stepping into the ring with Tyson. Nah, this was the heavyweight force in the late ’70s and early ’80s. We’re talking about a guy who made 20 successful title defenses. That’s more than Ali. More than Tyson. More than any heavyweight ever, except the legendary Joe Louis. Holmes went a mind-blowing 48-0 before he lost two razor-close (and honestly, controversial) decisions to Michael Spinks. And let’s not forget—he went the distance with Evander Holyfield in a world title bout in 1992. That’s no easy feat. Out of his 75 career fights, no heavyweight ever stopped Larry Holmes—except one—Mike Tyson. This just goes to show—no matter how great you are, time, it comes for us all—even the legends.

Picture this: a teenage Mike Tyson, sitting beside his mentor Cus D’Amato, watching one of the most painful fights in boxing history—Muhammad Ali getting absolutely battered by Larry Holmes. Ali was 38, clearly not the fighter he once was. His reflexes were gone, his body slowing down, and even worse—he was already showing signs of Parkinson’s. It wasn’t just a loss; it was hard to even watch.

Cus was furious. Tyson later said, “Ali got the sh-t kicked out of him. Cus was mad… I’d never seen him that angry before.” You can imagine that fire building in both of them. And then came the moment that changed everything.

After the fight, Cus picked up the phone and called Ali himself. And then he handed the phone to young Mike (who was just 14 at that time). And right there, Tyson made a promise to his hero: “Don’t worry, champ. When I get big, I’m going to get him for you.” Fast forward eight years later—that moment came full circle. By 1988, Tyson was at the peak of his powers, and now it was his turn to step into the ring with Holmes. The same Holmes who had punished Ali. But Holmes wasn’t exactly playing the humble card in the lead-up. In fact, he straight-up predicted Tyson’s downfall and talked like he’d seen it all before. But here’s the thing—talk doesn’t win fights.

Fight night. Atlantic City’s Convention Center. Tyson walked in like a man on a mission—no music, no flashy robe. Just those iconic black trunks, black socks, and black boots. Pure intimidation. Pure focus. And who was sitting ringside? Muhammad Ali himself, rocking dark shades, soaking it all in. Before the bell rang, Ali leaned in and whispered in Tyson’s ear: “Get him for me.” That’s all he needed to hear.

Holmes came out bouncing, trying to channel a little of that old Ali magic. But within seconds? He was the one bouncing—off the canvas. Tyson cracked him with a brutal right hand that sent him flat. Down and out? Not quite—Holmes, being the warrior he is, got back up. Tyson didn’t waste time. Boom—down again. And somehow, Holmes rose a second time.

And then, like a scene out of a movie, Holmes stood up for the third time, doing everything he could just to survive. But Tyson wasn’t about to let him off the hook. With just seconds left in the round, he unleashed a savage combination—boom, boom, boom—and Holmes hit the canvas for the third and final time. Referee Joe Cortez didn’t even bother with the count. It was done. Over.

But even after all that, Holmes wasn’t exactly throwing compliments. Tyson leaned in after the fight and said, “You’re a great fighter. Thank you.” Holmes shot back, “You’re a great fighter too, but fu-k you.” Tyson’s response? “Fu-k you too, motherfu–er.”

For Mike Tyson, this wasn’t just another win—it was personal. “Cus and I had been talking since I was 14 about beating Larry Holmes,” he revealed. So in order to tear down the best, “He gave me a blueprint—hit him with the right, behind my jab.” And just like that, Mike Tyson didn’t just win a fight—he sealed a chapter of boxing history.