Larry Holmes vs. Leroy Jones, billed as The Unconquered, was a professional match contested on March 31, 1980, for the WBC heavyweight title.
Background In December 1979, Holmes signed to face undefeated contender Leroy Jones, with the deal contingent on Holmes first defeating fringe contender Lorenzo Zanon on February 3, 1980, which Holmes accomplished via sixth-round knockout.Boxings Treaty Of Pragmatism, New York Times article, 1979-12–20, Retrieved on 2026-05-11 The Holmes–Jones fight was broadcast by ABC as part of a four-fight, three-site telecast that also featured John Tate vs. Mike Weaver for the WBA heavyweight title and Marvin Johnson vs. Eddie Gregory, both at the Stokely Athletic Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Dave Boy Green for the WBC welterweight title at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland.Fighters' Egos Bruised, Washington Post article, 1980-03-26 Retrieved on 2026-05-11
The Holmes–Jones and Tate–Weaver fights were originally supposed to lead to a unification bout between Holmes and Tate, who had already agreed to face one another after their planned victories over their underdog opponents.TV Special: Holmes, Tate Bouts, New York Times article, 1979-12–19, Retrieved on 2026-05-11 However, Tate reneged on his agreement with Holmes and instead planned to defend his title against the returning Muhammad Ali in a lucrative fight worth a reported $14 million.Ali Is Likely To Box Tate, N.Y. Times article, 1980-03–06, Retrieved on 2026-05-11 Tate's plans were derailed when Weaver scored a last-round knockout to capture the WBA heavyweight title.Champion Of W.B.A. Falls in 15th, N.Y. Times article, 1980-04–01, Retrieved on 2026-05-12
Fight details Holmes dominated Jones though eight rounds, constantly landing his powerful left jab while also mixing in straight right hands and right hooks. By the end of the fight, Jones had taken so much punishment to both eyes, that both were nearly swollen shut. The end came with just seconds left in the eighth round after Holmes landed a barrage of punches totaling over a dozen on a near-defenseless Jones. Though Jones was able to remain on his feet, he was badly dazed and on wobbly legs as referee Richard Green stepped in and stopped the fight at 2:56 of the round.
Jones claimed that Holmes had illegally thumbed him the eye and utilized the laces of his boxing gloves during the fight but blamed his loss on not being in the best of shape, stating after the fight "He thumbed me, he laced me. But that's not why I lost. I lost because I wasn't in the best condition."Leroy Jones Is Halted In the 8th, N.Y. Times article, 1980-04–01, Retrieved on 2026-05-11
Fight card Confirmed bouts: Weight Class Weight vs. Method Round NotesHeavyweight200+ lbs.Larry Holmes (c)def.Leroy JonesTKO8/15Cruiserweight190 lbs.Marvin Cameldef.Mate ParlovUD15Welterweight147 lbs.Thomas Hearnsdef.Santiago ValdezTKO1/10Lightweight135 lbs.Alexis Argüellodef.Gerald HayesUD10Heavyweight200+ lbs.Eddie Wilsondef.Marvin StinsonDQ1/8
Broadcasting Country Broadcaster ABC
References