ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, May 21, 1996 TAG: 9605210115
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
It should be a happy Father's Day for Larry Holmes' children - and grandchildren.
The middle-aged man, but old fighter, says he will fight for the last time June 16. He says he means it.
``I'm putting pressure on my family,'' said the former heavyweight champion, who turned 47 on Nov.3. ``I think I'm Superman and I can't get hurt. My family looks at it differently than I do. My 16-year-old daughter [Kandy] said, `Dad, I want you to quit.' She didn't come to my last fight because she's afraid.''
Holmes has two grandchildren through an older daughter, Misty.
The former WBC and IBF champion and premier heavyweight in the world from 1978 to 1985 has been involved in a second comeback since 1991, five years after he was knocked out by Mike Tyson in a bid for the undisputed title.
The last hurrah will come against 27-year-old Anthony Willis in the 70th fight of Holmes' pro career that began in 1975. He was the WBC champion from 1978 until 1983, when he relinquished the title, and IBF champion from 1984 until he was upset by Michael Spinks in 1985 for his first loss after 48 victories.
Holmes has failed in four attempts to become a champion again. All of his five defeats against 63 wins were in title fights.
In other boxing news:
* Boxers applying for a California license would have to have a negative AIDS test under a bill approved Monday by the state Assembly.
The bill was prompted by the announcement last February that former heavyweight boxing champion Tommy Morrison tested positive for the HIV virus.
Boxing officials nationwide called for mandatory HIV testing of boxers. Boxing commissions in seven states and Puerto Rico required annual tests before the Morrison announcement and several other states have passed testing requirements since then.
The national Center for Disease Control has received no reports of HIV transmission through athletics.
LENGTH: Short : 45 linesby CNB