There is only one thing that might get Larry Holmes in the ring just one more time.
Holmes has twice come out of retirement. But the 46-year-old former heavyweight champion insisted that his eighth-round knockout Sunday of Anthony Willis was his last fight - unless another aging former champion calls."Unless quick, fast and in a hurry that somebody makes a phone call. And I doubt that," Holmes said, referring to 47-year-old George Foreman. "Tuesday, I have a meeting. Wednesday, I'm going to be on my boat."
At the insistence of his family, which includes two grandchildren, Holmes is retiring, leaving the ring after 70 professional fights. He chose a Father's Day bout at Casino Magic, where he has fought eight times since 1993.
Holmes ended his career with a 65-5 record - all five losses coming in championship bouts - and 42 knockouts, the last coming when he followed a left jab with a solid right to Willis' temple 1:13 into the eighth round of a scheduled 10-rounder.
Willis, a 216-pounder from Chicago who dropped to 16-5, attacked Holmes early. But he was only able to land a few weak body shots.
It was that way for most of the fight.
Holmes scoffed at remarks attributed to Foreman, who while attending the Roy Jones title fight Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla., was quoted as saying there was a "good chance" he would fight Holmes.
"George has been teasing me for three years. That is why I continued to fight," Holmes said. "Forty-six years old, 70 fights, 65 wins . . . it's time for Larry to get out. George and I should both retire."
Holmes leaves boxing after a five-year comeback without the heavyweight title he so wanted to regain. He had two title chances since 1991, but lost to Evander Holyfield and Oliver McCall.
In 1978, at age 28, Holmes became heavyweight champion with a 15-round decision over Ken Norton. He defended the title against the likes of Earnie Shavers, Muhammad Ali and Tim Witherspoon.