- 23 hours ago
Larry Holmes makes the first defense of his WBC Heavyweight Title against Ossie Ocasio on ABC Boxing
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00:00To go through that record again, Harry Holmes to the right of your screen.
00:04Holmes confident, and why wouldn't he be?
00:07He's got a superbly developed body, 6'3 to 6'3 and a half, 114 pounds.
00:14There is one of the most versatile entertainers on this earth.
00:18There is Ozzy Ocasio. There is his boxing record.
00:22Nine knockouts out of 13 victories, of course.
00:25The key victories, the first win over and out of shape, Jimmy Young.
00:33Relaxed, poised, assured, confident, Larry Holmes in his dressing room,
00:37awaiting the call to come out to the ring.
00:40He's about to take on Ozzy Ocasio.
00:42Larry Holmes didn't have life too easy in boxing.
00:46Nobody ever does.
00:47And so, as you look at his unbeaten record with 20 KOs,
00:51I think the time is again appropriate to take a look at five.
00:55At ringside is Peter Fogg, one of the many so prominent in cinema, stage,
01:01and all the rest who are here tonight.
01:03You recognize that fellow?
01:05Two tall Jones.
01:07The Dallas Cowboys.
01:08And Red Fox is here, too.
01:10Red with a deep interest in boxing.
01:13Owned a fighter.
01:14Fighter hasn't measured up the way Red thought he would.
01:17Okay.
01:18Right now.
01:19And we'll be back getting ready for Holmes against Ocasio
01:22in a one of the Holmes-Ocasio fight.
01:25And we'll be back after this message
01:28and a word from our local stations.
01:31Here at ringside in Las Vegas, Nevada,
01:34as Larry Holmes makes his second title defense.
01:39Once again, we're live.
01:40Las Vegas, Nevada, ringside.
01:42Larry Holmes defending WBC World Heavyweight Champion,
01:45now in the ring, dancing around in his accustomed manner.
01:49Remember, Holmes, so quick of hands, so quick of feet.
01:52Stinging left jab, his most potent weapon.
01:55One objective left to prove he's got knockout power.
01:58With 20 KO victories in 29,
02:01you might not think he has to prove it,
02:03but nonetheless, the suspicions remain
02:05that he is not a killer.
02:08He's wearing, of course, his championship belt.
02:10And tonight, he wants to do away with Ocasio quickly.
02:13You just had a quick glimpse of his manager.
02:15Right there, Richie Giacchetti.
02:17And Holmes is looking around the ring now,
02:21and he is just about set to go.
02:24This fight will start within a minute and a half,
02:27and we'll be back at ringside in just one moment.
02:30There is Ozzie George Ocasio.
02:33Holmes is 29 years of age.
02:35Ocasio's only 23.
02:37Now we're going to stand by
02:39for the rendition of the respective national anthem.
02:44First, the Puerto Ricans.
02:45In the Peroxian household.
02:46V'sho City.
02:47In the bring of the Lord,
02:48you'll be they will be you.
02:50In the cadre of the ряд of therost patriotic letters.
02:55In the dark section.
02:56You'll be the one to remind you.
03:07Now, ladies and gentlemen,
03:34please remain standing as we hear the national anthem of the United States of America.
04:04The United States of America
04:34So the national anthems having been heard,
04:45we are really about ready to go, I hope.
04:48We'll be back.
04:48...to be given to them by the referee, Carlos Padilla, now resident of Las Vegas, former resident of the Philippines.
04:57Referee the thriller in Manila, Holmes giving the stare to Ocasio.
05:02Ocasio not even looking at Holmes.
05:06Ocasio quite apparently unafraid, though the eyes just moved up to face Holmes then.
05:11It's an old tactic of Holmes's.
05:14He's patterned himself in many ways despite frequent denials after Muhammad Ali.
05:19You'll see similarities in the fighting style.
05:22Most of you have seen Holmes before.
05:25Only now, though, is he getting the recognition he deserves, as you look at referee Carlos Padilla,
05:30as a heavyweight fighter of quality and growing quality.
05:35There's the tale of the tape.
05:37The six-year differential in age, the major differential in height.
05:41The weight, 214, 207.
05:44The reach, remember I said, not that radically different.
05:48Ocasio has long arms.
05:50His reach is 77, Holmes 81.
05:53Mabel, the action under one.
05:59See Ocasio with a smile on his face.
06:03He grins constantly.
06:05Very unorthodox, crouching low.
06:07Holmes said in the pre-fight interview he would take it right to him.
06:16Holmes must punch downward.
06:19There, he tried to and missed.
06:28Pick it up, come away, come away.
06:30Move, move.
06:37First round action.
06:41Nothing like that first round we saw when Shavers was swift, short, merciless,
06:49and knocked out Norton in a minute and 58 seconds of the fight.
06:54Holmes trying to land his best weapon.
06:57That stinging straight jab.
07:02Holmes came through with a right there.
07:04The left at home just got in.
07:16Larry purposeful.
07:18Remember, he wants to knock this man out in a hurry if he can.
07:23Ocasio just got a right in there followed by a left.
07:26He is not an easy fighter to penetrate because he is so unorthodox.
07:34Amateurish miss.
07:37First round action.
07:38First round action.
07:50Larry's right lead got in.
07:52And his left was picked off beautifully by Ocasio's right club.
08:04You see the counting down in the low right-hand corner of the screen.
08:09Less than 40 seconds to go in round one.
08:11Light being carried clearly by Holmes.
08:21Crowd yelled at Ocasio had thrown a long left.
08:25It did not connect.
08:26It did not connect.
08:36Counting down now toward the end of the first round.
08:39Round coming to an end.
08:50We're back for round two.
08:52Live from Las Vegas.
08:55Ocasio against Holmes.
08:57The first round dominated by Holmes.
09:00But Ocasio giving evidence of what a troublesome kind of fighter he is to meet.
09:05Rich Giacchetti, Holmes' manager, kept telling Holmes to use the right.
09:13He feels Ocasio is vulnerable to the right.
09:17In that vein, look at where Ocasio keeps his left.
09:21He has a tendency to drop it from time to time.
09:24Larry just scored with the right.
09:34Getting the right.
09:35You see how Ocasio leaves himself open to the right?
09:39Ocasio with that flashing grin, if you want to call it that.
09:47But laughing doesn't score points.
09:49This is second round action.
09:52We're a minute five into it.
09:55Larry Holmes has scored some clean blows in this round.
10:05Up the left end.
10:07Again the left.
10:09He wants to start doubling up on that left.
10:11See that right get in there?
10:18The right lead.
10:24Good left by Ocasio.
10:27Oakville holds his gloves.
10:31I know it's early in the fight.
10:34But Ocasio is not afraid.
10:37And he is difficult.
10:38At least up till now.
10:47A minute left in the round.
10:50This is second round action.
10:56Boone does not use lateral movement at all against Ocasio.
11:01He's been trailing in front of him.
11:03Ocasio left with a right and got it through.
11:05But of course the pace continues to be dominated by Holmes, who continues to do most of the score.
11:19Larry fighting flat-footedly against this opponent.
11:23He changes styles as dictated by the style of the opponent.
11:26Ocasio got in a right lead and the crowd roared.
11:33Coming down toward the end of round two.
11:41As we approach the end of the round, Ocasio a little bit tough.
11:46We'll be back.
11:46The bell for the start of round three.
11:51Live, Holmes against Ocasio.
11:53WBC World Heavyweight Championship at stake.
11:56First two rounds dominated by Holmes.
11:59Not moving.
12:00Standing flat-footedly straight ahead.
12:03Into Ocasio.
12:05Puerto Rican youngster has a lot of heart.
12:08He's also got that awkward shot.
12:10Holmes must continually punch down.
12:18Holmes trying to start putting punches together against Ocasio.
12:26Ocasio's head keeps bobbing and weaving like a bouncing ball.
12:31Ocasio with the right.
12:49The crowd yells every time the underdog lands.
12:52Remember, scoring on a ten-point must system.
13:15Ring is 18 feet 5 inches.
13:19Eight-ounce gloves have cost.
13:21Three-knockdown rule wave.
13:23We haven't had a semblance of a knockdown here with a minute 20 left in round three.
13:35Curious.
13:35The way he keeps grinning.
13:38Ocasio.
13:48And it's a goal in the third round.
13:51The way Ocasio holds his head.
14:20He is vulnerable to the uppercut.
14:24He is vulnerable to the uppercut.
14:31Crowd roared for the Ocasio miss.
14:34Mustn't be misled by the roars of the crowd.
14:37Now, counting down to the end of round three.
14:45Round four, just under way.
14:51Holmes dominating the fight.
14:53But Ocasio pleasing the crowd.
14:55But Ocasio pleasing the crowd.
14:56And he didn't think it would last this long.
14:58See the grin on Ocasio's face constantly.
15:01See the bobbing and weaving down low.
15:04Remember?
15:05Away on is Bill Dale.
15:07He had him training.
15:07Moving the head under a string in the ring.
15:10Both men unbeaten.
15:18Holmes 29 times into the ring.
15:2029 times the victory.
15:2220 days.
15:23A couple.
15:23Good left.
15:24That stung Ocasio.
15:26He shook his head.
15:27Saying, no, I'm not hurt.
15:28But Holmes got him with a left and then doubled up on him.
15:32Hit him both times.
15:33And that's the first real time tonight that I've seen.
15:37Now, Holmes is beginning to get the left in there.
15:41Suddenly, a change in the pattern.
15:43Though Holmes was dominating.
15:45He was not scoring cleanly, effectively.
15:48Except at one point with the right lead.
15:52This round is used the left more effectively than at any time prior to doing the fight.
15:58See the crowd rod.
15:59But Ocasio did not hit Holmes there.
16:01The attempted blows were picked off.
16:07Fourth round action.
16:20Holmes trying to get through Ocasio's guard.
16:26Sometimes moving to the stomach.
16:28Then clawing upward.
16:29Remember Ali again.
16:32Right lead now.
16:33Now Ocasio's hurt.
16:35He threw a right lead.
16:36Left himself wide open for Holmes' counter punch.
16:40And he shook his head.
16:41And he was briefly staggered.
16:43But he's a gutsy kid.
16:45So Holmes comes at him again.
16:47You get the left.
16:48And they're in combination of left and a right.
16:51There's no smile on Ocasio's face.
16:56Not now.
16:58He's trying to cover.
17:00Less than 30 seconds left.
17:18And this is the fourth round.
17:21While Holmes has been dominating the fight, this was his first big round.
17:25We approach the end of round four with Larry Holmes in command.
17:45All right.
17:48There's Ocasio leading with a left, leaving himself wide open for the right.
17:54Part of the last round action when Holmes really took command.
17:58Not that he hasn't been dominating.
18:02He has.
18:03But he made the point.
18:04Right there.
18:05That left was a good score for Holmes.
18:07Right hand.
18:08Right hand.
18:08Let's go.
18:12Either one.
18:17Obviously, superior to the opponent.
18:20Who's only vulnerability could be impatience.
18:25I don't think he will be.
18:27He must methodically, purposefully continue to work.
18:31This way, Ocasio can't possibly score points.
18:36Not against Goals.
18:37See how Ocasio leaves himself open for the counter-punching right?
18:46This is what was discussed in the corner between Chris Giacchetti and Larry Holmes.
18:52He leads with the left, drops it.
18:56Holmes picks off the left with his and then comes in with the right.
19:02Over Ocasio's left.
19:03Right again.
19:12It's coming the most telling blow in the fight.
19:21Fifth round action.
19:22Larry going down to the stomach to try and draw the guard down and at the same time facilitate the opponent.
19:34When Ocasio gets in close, under Holmes' chin with the head, watch closer.
19:50That's where you look for the buck.
19:52See Larry now shooting the hole in back to the stomach.
19:56Look for the upshot too.
19:58There are welts around the eyes.
20:09This is the fifth round.
20:17He's just measuring him.
20:19Trying to bring down the guard.
20:20That's just 20 seconds left in the round.
20:38Another completely Larry Holmes round.
20:42We'll be back in a moment.
20:43Back live, Las Vegas.
20:48Round six.
20:49Between rounds in Ocasio's corner, they kept asking him, where are you?
20:53Checking his sensibility.
20:55Did he know where he was?
20:56In the last two rounds, he has taken a savage beating.
21:00It is clearly a mismatch.
21:02For those of you who joined us a little bit late, Ernie Schaefer's both one of the great upsets and one of the great performances.
21:12Knocking out Kenny Norton in a minute and 38 seconds of the first round.
21:17Norton never knew what hit him.
21:19In his dressing room after the fight, he said, did I go down a second time?
21:24Did they stop him?
21:25He didn't even know what had happened.
21:26Here, the pattern is now totally evident.
21:35Holmes just screwing up.
21:37The crowd roared as Ocasio scored with a left.
21:42Ocasio's staying in that crowd.
21:45The head bobbing and weaving.
21:49Larry Holmes fighting flat-footed.
21:51Taking it to Ocasio as he said.
21:54No movement from Larry to Knight.
22:01Crowd yell.
22:02That left did not get through Holmes' club.
22:05Minute 40 into the round.
22:24Six-round action.
22:26Same as the prior part.
22:27Larry missed with the uppercut that could become the blow to end the fight.
22:33Even as Schaefer's right uppercut against Norton, in effect, ended that.
22:42We've got a minute left in this sixth round.
22:50That's a kid, isn't he?
22:51Ocasio.
22:59Heavy, strong legs and thighs.
23:03Deceptively heavy.
23:05But a high, 2-0-7.
23:07He holds, scoring steadily with the left.
23:22Getting it in more offensive than not.
23:25Ocasio's trying to cover.
23:27Gloves up there, peek-a-boo style.
23:30And now, the sixth round is almost over.
23:36So far, it's a shutout, in my story.
23:41Holmes, every round.
23:42We'll be back.
23:46Round seven, as we come to you live from Las Vegas, Nevada.
23:50Holmes against Ocasio.
23:52Holmes, winning almost at will, except for this.
23:56He hasn't been able to knock Ocasio out.
24:00Shit is tough.
24:01He's game.
24:03He's awkward with that style.
24:05Fighting out of a crouch, sometimes a half crouch, bobbing and weaving.
24:10He's been vulnerable to Holmes' right, as you just saw there.
24:15Tendency to weave with the left, drop his glove.
24:18Holmes comes over it with a counterpunch.
24:20In only one round, the fourth, did Ocasio appear to be hurt.
24:26There, he was stacking right there with a left that comes through.
24:30The body, the legs, right back.
24:36There's that right uppercut.
24:39There, now Holmes is turning to the uppercut.
24:42Dewich Ocasio is particularly vulnerable.
24:45With the head held forward.
24:46There's the left, and down, Winder Ocasio.
24:50Seventh round.
24:51The round in which Holmes finished Evangelista.
24:54The kid is trying to shake his head clear.
24:58Follows Padilla, the referee.
25:01Touches his glove.
25:02Says the fight can continue.
25:05And out comes Ocasio with a wild right swing.
25:08Holmes remains methodical, purposeful, picking the opponent apart.
25:13One knockdown, in this round, the first of the fight.
25:19Larry wants now to finish it, of course.
25:24And let's keep getting in there.
25:26There's the right.
25:39There is the right.
25:40It was overdue.
25:42Now that Ocasio has been weakened and went down from the left.
25:45He threw the left.
25:47Holmes is waiting.
25:48Frank's right in with the right.
25:50Second knockdown in the round.
25:52Ocasio fights on.
25:54Padilla says, OK.
25:55Ocasio, now, there's the third knockdown.
26:00And that will do it.
26:02Brutal to watch.
26:03Holmes totally dominant from the very beginning.
26:07It's good with only 13 professional fights.
26:10Ocasio shakes his head.
26:12He wants to go on.
26:14The three knockdown rule waves.
26:16A championship fight.
26:18Padilla lets it go on.
26:20How much more?
26:21That should do it.
26:22Stop.
26:23Padilla stops the fight.
26:25Finals taking one knockdown too late.
26:29The kid could have gotten seriously hurt.
26:31Now he's on his feet.
26:35Shaking his head.
26:36Trying to clear it.
26:40Well, I'll tell you this about Larry Holmes.
26:44Recognizing that Ocasio had had only 13 professional fights.
26:48Conceding that it was a mismatch.
26:51The official time, by the way.
26:52Two minutes, 38 seconds of the seventh round.
26:56Granting all those facts.
26:58You'll like to see a fighter fight the way Holmes did.
27:02His fights.
27:03Holmes again.
27:04Well, he's going to face a Larry Holmes who steadily moves.
27:08Holmes didn't move tonight.
27:10He adjusts style for style.
27:12Another mark of a good fighter.
27:14Now, we are going to come back with more after this word from our local stations.
27:30Larry Holmes worked him so methodically, so perfectly.
27:34Never lost patience.
27:36Knew exactly what he was doing.
27:37Finished him off with a fourth knockdown in the seventh round.
27:41Congratulations, dude.
27:44Let's take a look at the entire fourth round, Larry.
27:47And you describe from your point of view exactly what you were doing.
27:52Excuse me.
27:53Here it comes.
27:57Well, I just wanted to set him up because I did find him very awkward.
28:03You know, I had to get my jab in.
28:04My jab was missing a lot.
28:05But if I made my jab start landing, it was fine to choke.
28:10So he was throwing his hands up very high, Howard.
28:14And then I had to come in with a left hook and a right hand.
28:16So I'm trying to set him up with a jab and flank the jab.
28:19And throw a left hand and right hand.
28:21Left hook, right hand.
28:22But he was strong and determined and very awkward, Howard.
28:28He would give a lot of guys a lot of trouble with his style.
28:31So I'm trying to set him up.
28:33But he's very awkward.
28:36But I just didn't care, Howard.
28:37There, you staggered him briefly.
28:40Yes, I staggered him, Howard.
28:42But I'm a professional.
28:44I'm a pro.
28:45And I don't have to learn anything.
28:46He was particularly vulnerable to the right, dropping his left.
28:48You used that very effectively.
28:50But this first knockdown comes with a stinging left.
28:55Left jab, Howard.
28:56Been working on very hard.
28:57There it was.
28:58You saw it.
29:00Very hard jab, Howard.
29:01Hit him with a couple of them.
29:03A lot of guts in that kid.
29:06Yes, Howard.
29:06He's a hell of a fighter.
29:06Fighting from the crouch and the half-crouch.
29:09The head bobbing and weaving.
29:10Not an easy fellow to penetrate.
29:12Couldn't catch him, Howard.
29:14When I did catch him, he paid the toll.
29:16Well, you can see how determined he is.
29:17He came right back fighting hard.
29:19Now, let's watch closely, and you'll see how you're getting the left jab in, as you said.
29:28Very effectively.
29:30You really began doing it in the fourth round.
29:32Until then, you weren't getting that jab in with the usual effect.
29:36I wouldn't say slick.
29:38It was awkward.
29:39And I had a lot of force behind my jab.
29:42If you notice, I stepped in with it.
29:43With all the force, my jab is just as hard as my right hand.
29:46Did what you said you'd do.
29:48You took it to him.
29:48There's the right over that left.
29:50He was so totally vulnerable to that.
29:53Now, did you feel that the referee, Carlos Padilla, let it go?
29:57Perhaps one knockdown too long?
29:59Too long.
30:00I thought it was three knockdowns.
30:02And the fight would be over.
30:04I didn't actually lose.
30:06I didn't really care.
30:06The three knockdown rule is a championship fight.
30:09Yeah, he told me.
30:10There's the right again over the left.
30:12Over his left.
30:13What do you think, Howard?
30:14Can I punch him on that?
30:15You feel you proved it tonight.
30:17Thank you, Howard.
30:19All right.
30:20Let's watch it to the end.
30:22There's Padilla checking.
30:24Ocasio assuring him he could go on.
30:27At this point, were you concerned about hurting him?
30:29Well, yes, in a way, but I know that, you know, the young man was determined.
30:34He was trying to get my belt, and I wanted to protect him with all I had.
30:38Well, that last one did it.
30:39And so, Larry Holmes, the winner, four knockdowns, the fight finally stopped.
30:45Thank you, Howard.
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