Read about the fight here

On June 11, 1982, Larry ‘The Easton Assassin’ Holmes made the twelfth defence of his WBC heavyweight title, which he had held since 1978, against Gerry ‘Gentleman’ Cooney at Caesars Palace Outdoor Arena, Las Vegas. Although the number one contender, defending a perfect 25-0 record, including 22 knockouts, Cooney was dismissed by Holmes as the ‘Great White Dope’.

As early as round two, Holmes landed a clean right hand that sent Cooney stumbling to the canvas. However, Cooney recovered to win rounds two and three, landing a series of solid left hooks that backed Holmes up. Late in round four, Cooney landed another damaging left hook to the body, but thereafter, apart from a brutal low blow in round nine, which cost him a point – he would, in fact, be deducted three points, in total, for repeated infractions – failed to impose his power on Holmes.

Holmes, for his part, adopted a cautious approach for the first twelve rounds but, in round thirteen, unleashed a barrage of punches against his already bloodied, weakened opponent. In a effort to stay on his feet, Cooney grabbed the top rope, instigating a standing count from referee Miles Lane. At that point, trainer Victor Valle intervened, wrapping his arms around Cooney to stop the fight, thus making Holmes the winner, by technical knockout, after 2:52 of round thirteen.

Read about the fight here