EASTON, Pa. -- WBC heavyweight champion Larry Holmes beat Muhammad Ali because he was in fine shape, fought his fight and simply had more steam than the aging legend. But there was another reason _ he listened to his mother.
'Larry did what I told him to do,' said Flossie Holmes, who raised the champ and his 10 siblings. She watched the fight with 2,050 other screaming fans Thursday night at the Easton Area High School gymnasium in the Holmes' hometown.
'Muhammad Ali was badgering him and I told him don't go around Muhammad Ali before the fight. I didn't want him to have a street fight. I told him wait until you get into the ring,' she said.
'I knew in the ring Muhammad Ali didn't have a chance. I know Larry's the greatest.'
The champion, who answered his own phone in his room at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas Friday, said he felt fine and was gratified by the reaction of his hometown, where celebration erupted after the victory. Motorists crowded into the downtown area, honking their horns and shouting Holmes' name.
'I think it's great,' said Holmes, who said he expected to arrive home Saturday.
He was busy on another phone with Easton Mayor Phil Mitman arranging plans, including a band at the airport, for his homecoming.
'Larry wants to try to take it easy,' said one aide, 'but it doesn't seem to be able to work out that way.'
Bob Holmes, one of Larry's seven brothers, was busy in Easton Friday answering complaints from people who were 'a little disgusted' with the poor quality of the local show, which he ran. He expressed little excitement about the fight.
'I didn't figure Ali to win a round,' he said. 'He built boxing and you can't take take anything away from the guy, but I don't feel sorry for him. I feel sorry for no man that fights Larry. He's the baddest heavy in the world.'
Although Holmes, 30, had a sweet $4 million payday for the night's effort, it's doubtful it will taste much better than what his mother is planning for him.
'I'm going to fix him some food,' she said. 'Larry said he wants some sweet potates, collard greens, fried chicken and potato salad.'
