“Larry Holmes is not only a champion of boxing, but has also been a champion in his community. Raised in Easton, Larry has devoted himself to growing the community economically and through his meaningful community service throughout his life,” said Cartwright. “I am honored to know Larry Holmes.”
Holmes is most well known as a world champion boxer, becoming the WBC World Heavyweight Champion on June 9, 1978 by defeating Ken Norton. In February of 1980, Holmes defeated Muhammad Ali, known as “the greatest of all time,” Holmes finished his career with a record of 69-6.
Since retiring Holmes has invested heavily in the Easton area, contributing to the city’s recent growth. Holmes investments also include many charitable endeavors, including his “Run with the Champ” five kilometer race, which aims to raise awareness of physical fitness.
“Larry Holmes has been a true friend to his hometown not only with his many investments but also his willingness to help the youth. He has been a positive role model for young people to emulate,” said Easton Mayor Sal Panto. “I salute him on the 35th anniversary of that wonderful night in Las Vegas when he became the heavyweight champion of the world and wore the crown for seven and a half years.”
Additionally, Holmes has endowed a charitable foundation, named the Larry Holmes Charitable Foundation that advances post-secondary education by awarding four $5,000 scholarships to students who enroll in community colleges. This effort has garnered much recognition including being named the Jaycee’s National Outstanding Young Man and receiving the Medal of Honor for trustworthiness from the Daughters of the American Revolution.
7 comments:
Thank you for letting us know of this very nice event. Charlie Dent and Mr. Cartwright are wonderful for taking time to be there.
Hey Bernie why did'nt you ask the dunbass if he is playing parking lot attendant in Easton, I mean such a repriable man and all??? LMAO
Larry Holmes has never received the respect or appreciation from Easton that he deserves. Not only was he a great champion, he always has tried to do something for Easton. For years, at his expense, he held children's parties, etc. And now his scholarship foundation. Although he can afford to go anywhere he desires, he has lived and run his businesses in the Easton area despite many obstacles thrown his was by the city. Not all officials have been as friendly as Mayor Sal Panto. Comment from 8:44 is typical. Commenting with obviously no knowledge of the facts or background.
I remember Ali visiting St. Anthony's School in the early or mid 70s. Larry was his sometimes sparring partner at Deer Lake and worked out regularly at St. Anthony's Youth Center. The nuns let all the kids out of class to visit with him. If I recall correctly, a one-day Express reporter scored an exclusive interview for the school newspaper. Larry was at the Youth Center that day and Ali acted like a real asshole to him. Ali threw a barrage of verbal and simulated jabs at the shy local kid, who remained respectful and gentlemanly. Before Ali left he recited a poem to the adoring kids. I'll never forget it because it cemented my poor assessment of Ali and made Larry look even classier.
I like your school
And I like your style
But since you ain't got no money
I won't be back for a while
Larry still says nice things about Ali, though. Larry is a true gent.
October 3, 1980. I remember it like it was yesterday. Larry could have killed Ali, but backed off. He actually seemed to be trying to not hurt the jerk. At the end of the day though, Larry punished him...
Larry holmes is a class act that didn't forget his roots. He brought a World Championship fight as close to Easton as he possibly could because he wanted to give all his local fiends and supporters a chance to see a real World Championship fight. That was at the Watres Armory in Scranton, pa where he fought many times before coming Champ. He fought Lucien Rodriquez and won. He passed up a load of money to fight locally for all his fans and in so doing, passed up millions at the gate. We couldn't ask for a better representative and ambassador for Easton that Larry Holmes.
Sal Panto says
Hey Anon 8:44 AM,
You really are showing your ignorance or your inability to read. The champ is engaged in a legal war to stop a contiguous (that means their property boundaries meet) property owner from towing cars and charging $240 CASH plus sending them to a storage facility that isn't open on weekends. The city has made the owner at least comply with state regs for needed sign posting and making storage facility open to retrieve your car. Unfortunately there is nothing the city can do -- yet we are getting a really bad name when visitors find out that their car was towed and they need $240 CASH to get it back. The average towing fee in the city is $125.
So, Larry has stepped in and so far has been effective in getting a court to agree that the contiguous owner has to honor their shared parking agreement.
So, now that you now the facts maybe you can understand and stop the stupid talk.
As for the Champ, he a class-act and in spite of every obstacle thrown at him while he was champ he survived. The real mark of his human side is that there is little doubt that his most critical fight from a race point of view was his fight against Gerry Cooney. I personally know the pressure that he was under and I witnessed it in Las Vegas when he even moved from Caesar's for fear of food poisoning. Today he and Gerry are good friends and that my friend is the sign of a true gentleman.
The Champ has done a lot for Easton and its youth and deserves the recognition.
Sal Panto, Jr.
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