
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 7, 1991                   TAG: 9103070353
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HOLMES ANNOUNCES COMEBACK

It's not the money, it's the title that's driving Larry Holmes out of retirement at age 41.

"The main reason for my comeback is to get back what I lost," the former heavyweight boxing champion said Wednesday from his Easton, Pa., office. "Money is not the reason."

That's what George Foreman, 42, said when he came out of retirement in 1987. The heavyweight champion of 1973-74 will cap his comeback from a 10-year layoff when he challenges Evander Holyfield for the undisputed heavyweight title April 19 at Atlantic City, N.J., for a guarantee of $12 million.

Twelve days earlier at Hollywood, Fla., Holmes, heavyweight champion for seven years (1978-85), will begin a second comeback that he hopes will lead to a fight against Foreman. Holmes' opponent will be Tim "Doc" Anderson of Orlando, Fla.

"I see George Foreman knocking Holyfield out and if Tyson comes along, Foreman will knock him out, too," said Holmes, who last fought Jan. 22, 1988, when he was knocked out in the fourth round by Mike Tyson in a bid to win the undisputed heavyweight title.

Holmes, who first retired after failing to regain the International Boxing Federation title on a controversial decision to Michael Spinks on April 19, 1986, has a record of 48-3, with 34 knockouts.

by CNB