A parade and community celebration on June 9, 2018, marks 40 years since boxing legend Larry Holmes, "the Easton Assassin," defeated Ken Norton to become heavyweight champion of the world.
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Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
Larry Holmes poses for a photo with a young fan. Buy Image
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Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
Easton Mayor Sal Panto, left, and Larry Holmes bust some dance moves as the parade kicks off. Buy Image
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Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
Fans pose for photos with the Larry Holmes statue in Easton's Scott Park. Buy Image
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Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
Larry Holmes, far left, waits behind the Easton Area High School jazz band for the parade to begin. Buy Image
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Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
A flag for boxing promoter Don King waves in the breeze atop a car as the parade for Larry Holmes passes by. Buy Image
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Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
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Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
The Easton Area High School jazz band leads the parade for Larry Holmes up the city street named for him. Buy Image
There are two things Easton is most known for, according to Mayor Sal Panto Jr.: Crayola and Larry Holmes.
"They're the two things that put us on the map," he told the crowd assembled in Scott Park on this warm June afternoon.
"But when he made it big, he never forgot us, did he?" the mayor continued. "No, he never forgot Easton. And all the people that he knows in Easton. And he always wore red and white -- because we're Rovers for life."
And so Easton was there Saturday to celebrate with Holmes -- aka the Easton Assassin -- on the 40th anniversary of the fight that made him the champ.
On June 9, 1978, Holmes defeated the favorite Ken Norton in a 15-round, split decision match to become the heavyweight champion of the world. He held the title until 1985 and fought his last bout in 2002, landing him a 69-6 career record with 44 knockouts.
Saturday's festivities kicked off with a small parade down Larry Holmes Drive, ending near the statue in the park that immortalizes his left jab in bronze. There were speeches, special guests, presentations, proclamations and lots of music.
The champ never graduated high school -- "I got a PhD in common sense," he quipped to lehighvalleylive.com earlier in the week -- but was recognized by the Easton Area School District as "an icon of the community" who demonstrates the value of hard work.
Wii Guate Asuasa II, an Easton Area High School graduate who is now king of the Ga Tribe of Ghana, which is home to many champion boxers, presented Holmes with a ceremonial bench from Africa.
The night culminates with a 22-minute highlight video of Holmes' match against Norton.
Early in the afternoon, Holmes spent time posing for photos and signing autographs, laughing and joking around. He told the audience that he chose the Easton Assassin name because he wanted people to recognize his hometown.
"I met a lot of people throughout my travels, my fighting. I got to meet people that I thought I would never meet," he said. "But I never get a thrill like I get when I come home."
40 years after Larry Holmes' prize fight, Easton celebrates again with the champ
1 / 24
Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
Larry Holmes poses for a photo with a young fan. Buy Image
2 / 24
Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
Easton Mayor Sal Panto, left, and Larry Holmes bust some dance moves as the parade kicks off. Buy Image
3 / 24
Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
Fans pose for photos with the Larry Holmes statue in Easton's Scott Park. Buy Image
4 / 24
Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
Larry Holmes, far left, waits behind the Easton Area High School jazz band for the parade to begin. Buy Image
5 / 24
Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
A flag for boxing promoter Don King waves in the breeze atop a car as the parade for Larry Holmes passes by. Buy Image
6 / 24
Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
Buy Image
7 / 24
Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
The Easton Area High School jazz band leads the parade for Larry Holmes up the city street named for him. Buy Image
There are two things Easton is most known for, according to Mayor Sal Panto Jr.: Crayola and Larry Holmes.
"They're the two things that put us on the map," he told the crowd assembled in Scott Park on this warm June afternoon.
"But when he made it big, he never forgot us, did he?" the mayor continued. "No, he never forgot Easton. And all the people that he knows in Easton. And he always wore red and white -- because we're Rovers for life."
And so Easton was there Saturday to celebrate with Holmes -- aka the Easton Assassin -- on the 40th anniversary of the fight that made him the champ.
On June 9, 1978, Holmes defeated the favorite Ken Norton in a 15-round, split decision match to become the heavyweight champion of the world. He held the title until 1985 and fought his last bout in 2002, landing him a 69-6 career record with 44 knockouts.
Saturday's festivities kicked off with a small parade down Larry Holmes Drive, ending near the statue in the park that immortalizes his left jab in bronze. There were speeches, special guests, presentations, proclamations and lots of music.
The champ never graduated high school -- "I got a PhD in common sense," he quipped to lehighvalleylive.com earlier in the week -- but was recognized by the Easton Area School District as "an icon of the community" who demonstrates the value of hard work.
Wii Guate Asuasa II, an Easton Area High School graduate who is now king of the Ga Tribe of Ghana, which is home to many champion boxers, presented Holmes with a ceremonial bench from Africa.
The night culminates with a 22-minute highlight video of Holmes' match against Norton.
Early in the afternoon, Holmes spent time posing for photos and signing autographs, laughing and joking around. He told the audience that he chose the Easton Assassin name because he wanted people to recognize his hometown.
"I met a lot of people throughout my travels, my fighting. I got to meet people that I thought I would never meet," he said. "But I never get a thrill like I get when I come home."
40 years after Larry Holmes' prize fight, Easton celebrates again with the champ
