Leroy Jones was a heavyweight boxer who won the NABF heavyweight championship and challenged Larry Holmes for the WBC heavyweight title in 1980. Jones’ professional career began with a third round knockout of John Scroggins on July 30, 1973. He put together 24 wins with 12 knockouts….including a 12 round points win over future world heavyweight champion Mike Weaver. The Weaver fight won Jones the NABF heavyweight championship, essentially the American title. During his professional career it became apparent that Jones had a problem with conditioning, as he fought at weights ranging from 228 pounds in 1973 to 271 pounds in 1977.
As seen in this video herewith….on March 31, 1980…. Jones got his weight down to 254.5 pounds to challenge Larry Holmes for the WBC heavyweight title….as Jones was stopped in 8 rounds on an eye injury that effectively ended his career….with a professional boxing record of 25 Wins (13 knockouts, 12 decisions), 1 Loss (1 knockout) and 1 Draw.
Regarding Larry Holmes….if you have read any of my writings about The Easton Assassin…then you know that in my Chiweenie Sportsphile opinion….that I consider him to be one of the five (5) legendary heavyweight champions….along with Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson and George Foreman….who all fought during what I consider the golden age of boxing….as this video provides more evidence of my assessment about Holmes.
