*Larry Holmes Enterprises Promotional Brochure, Hand-Signed by Larry Holmes, post 1983*
An original Larry Holmes Enterprises promotional brochure produced during the height of Larry Holmes’ reign as world heavyweight champion. The folded brochure measures approximately 9.5 × 21.5 cm when closed and 19 × 21.5 cm when fully opened. It features photographic imagery of Holmes with championship belt, together with biographical text, career highlights, and a printed fight record table demonstrating Holmes’ achievements at his peak.
This example is hand-signed by Larry Holmes in metallic bronze ink across the front image, a bold and characteristic autograph consistent with known examples from the period. In addition, there is a handwritten personal dedication in blue ink which is undeciphered.
History Note:
Larry Holmes (born 1949) is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. Known as “The Easton Assassin”, he held the WBC World Heavyweight Championship from 1978 to 1983, successfully defending the title a record sixteen times, and was later recognised as IBF heavyweight champion, remaining at the summit of the division through 1985. His dominance was built around one of the finest left jabs in heavyweight boxing history and a remarkable run of 48 consecutive professional victories. Among the most significant of these was his 1980 title defence against Muhammad Ali, in which Holmes stopped the former champion in the tenth round, making him the only boxer ever to defeat Ali by stoppage in a professional bout. Holmes successfully defended a version of the heavyweight title twenty times in total before suffering his first professional defeat to Michael Spinks in 1985. Although he made several later comeback attempts, Holmes’ legacy rests firmly on his championship-era achievements. He concluded his professional career with an outstanding record of 69 wins and 6 losses, including 44 knockouts, and is consistently ranked among the greatest heavyweight champions in boxing history.
The biographical content of this brochure stops in 1983, while Holmes was still recognised as WBC World Heavyweight Champion, and before later title transitions or comeback attempts. This clearly places the brochure’s purpose as a championship-era promotional piece, designed to highlight Holmes’ astonishing career achievements at their height rather than to present a later retrospective.
Although the brochure itself is undated, the layout, content, and Larry Holmes Enterprises branding are consistent with material distributed in the early-to-mid 1980s, directly through Holmes’ own business operations in Easton, Pennsylvania. Contemporary records and surviving examples — including identical Larry Holmes Enterprises brochures signed in the same manner — confirm that Holmes commonly signed pamphlets of this type outside or within his business premises during this period. Third-party certificates were not issued, which is typical for authentic in-person autographs from this era.
*Condition*
The brochure is in very good condition, with light handling wear and minor signs of age consistent with its period of production. The autograph remains clear and well-contrasted. The paper stock is sound, with no major tears or losses noted. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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