Remembering the Greats: Larry Holmes Bullies Ossie Ocasio [March 23, 1979]

“This shows how clearly you’ve become a quality fighter of championship ability. They’re going to have to recognize you now…”

During his seven-year reign, many people dubbed Larry Holmes a “poor man’s Ali.” That may be true when it comes to trash-talk, but in every other facet, the Easton Assassin was a more than worthy successor to The Greatest. A good example of Holmes’ skill was his thorough dissection of young contender Ossie Oscasio.

Ocasio had earned his WBC title shot after taking two upset wins over slickster and spoiler Jimmy Young, who had previously lost close, controversial decisions to both Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton. With Ali in retirement, Holmes had become the man of the division after a thrilling 15 round war with Norton. Still, Holmes was struggling to establish an identity with the Ali legend still fresh in everyone’s mind.

Unfortunately for Ocasio, Holmes decided to make a statement against him. With only 13 fights on his ledger, Ocasio was woefully outclassed. Holmes had all his skills on display, mixing up his excellent jab with precision body punching. Whether outside or inside, Ocasio found himself on the receiving end of a barrage of shots. Adding further insult to injury, Holmes mocked Ocasio’s offense with over the top yells like his mentor Ali used on opponents. And in the clearest example of the power of the Holmes’ jab, Ocasio was dropped and hurt by the blow in the seventh.Three more knockdowns followed off a straight right counter, a short right hook and a left uppercut before the stoppage.

Larry Holmes would make 16 more defenses before losing the title six years later in 1985 to Michael Spinks. Ocasio would fight on until 1992, going 10-12-1 with his only significant win being a 1987 majority decision over Dwight Muhmmad Qawi.