Iron-man Larry Holmes showed his mettle when he got off the floor to hammer Earnie Shavers into a state of helplessness and retained his WBC heavyweight belt at the packed Caesars Palace sports pavilion #OnThisDay in 1979. Referee Dave Pearl called a it off after two minutes of the 11th with Shavers cut over both eyes and totally exhausted as Holmes unleashed punches with both hands. The shaven-headed 35-year-old Shavers had the crowd in an uproar when he floored the champion with a huge overhand right late in the seventh round. There was no complaint from Shavers at the end as he trudged wearily back to his corner. Holmes said he said he urged Shavers to quit. He said he asked Shavers: “Man, why you hanging on?” The teak-tough Shavers replied: “I ain’t quitting,. I’m trying to take your title!” Shavers had the satisfaction of of being the first man to upend Holmes and to his honour he stayed on his feet until the finish. “You haven’t head the last of me,” said the beaten challenger. “I’ll be back.” #boxing #BoxingNews #BoxingHistory #LarryHolmes #EarnieShavers (at Caesars Palace) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoRkF95B37Q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18l44362xeeef