Holmes, known as "The Easton Assassin," had an impressive career with 69 wins and only 6 losses in 75 fights. He defended his heavyweight title 20 times, second only to Joe Louis. His victories over Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers, Tim Witherspoon, and Muhammad Ali cemented his place in boxing lore. Holmes even holds the distinction of being the only person to stop Ali inside the distance.
Holmes' career spanned nearly three decades, from 1973 to 2002. In his later years, he faced off against newer champions like Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, though he didn't come out on top in those bouts.
Despite his many accomplishments, Holmes couldn't hide his disappointment about a fight that never happened - a showdown with George Foreman. The two had signed contracts in the 1990s, but the bout fell through when promoter Don King failed to secure the money on time. Foreman then pulled out of the fight.
Holmes didn't mince words about his feelings toward Foreman. He said:
"I'd have loved to KO him. Foreman's a hypocrite. He's got a short temper. He's not as nice as people think."
The missed opportunity with Foreman wasn't just a 90s thing. Earlier in their careers, a potential matchup was impossible because Foreman retired in 1977 and didn't return to the ring until 1987.
Foreman's comeback turned out to be spectacular. In 1994, at the age of 45, he knocked out Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight world champion - a record that still stands today.
While Holmes and Foreman never got to settle their differences in the ring, their legacies as heavyweight greats remain intact. Holmes' regret serves as a reminder of the fights that could have been in boxing's rich history.