Former Boxing legend Larry Holmes, age 66, remembers good times with the late Richie Giachetti

Former Boxing legend Larry Holmes, aged 66, recently remembered the good times with the late Richie Giachetti, who was his boxing trainer when he was active as a heavyweight boxer, during an interview.

The American former professional boxer, who is known by his nick name, the “Easton Assassin”, remembered the legendary trainer, who not only trained him, but helped him become one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. 

Holmes has been inducted into both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of Fame and its sole credit goes to none other than late Richie. Holmes would not have been where he is if it was not for good old Richie.

Holmes won 19 of his 23 titles and after that, he became the heavyweight champion of the world. His journey of success and fame was only possible because of Holmes’ effort and hard work and Richie’s training and guidance. 

The late American boxing trainer has worked with famous boxers like Mike Tyson and several other top boxing champions in the world. He trained around 14 other boxers during his career. Aaron Pryor, Riddick Bowe and James "Buster" Douglas are a few of them.

Talking about his days back when he was active and being trained by Richie, the veteran boxer said how Richie became his sole trainer and changed his career and life. 

“I was fighting as an amateur in New York and in the Golden Gloves when Richie joined me and my trainer,” Holmes said. “Richie eventually become my sole trainer ... Don King didn't think too much of me then but Richie pushed may cause to Don, who thought I was just another 'wanna be' champion trying to be like Ali. I just hung in there and kept going and that's how I got with Richie.”

He further added: “I worked with guys before and some guys would say, ‘Keep that jab,’ and they would say it for 12 rounds.”

“‘Tell me something different! ‘Pick your right hand up, do this, this guy is trying to counter.’ That’s what Richie would do. The other people would just say, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing.'” 

“He’s one of the great guys out there,” said Holmes. “Richie was a good guy.”

The boxer also added that his early days with Richie were full of financial difficulties and several other problems. 

“We had to take the bitter along with the sweet early on,” Holmes said. 

“We just had to live with what we got and take whatever they gave us. And that’s what we did. We shared rooms and broke bread and kept it on going.”

But despite everything, Richie and Holmes overcame all of them, all thanks to the former’s ability to inspire.

“He was a motivator: ‘Go get it, you can take this guy,'” Holmes said.

Richie died earlier this week at the age of 75 after a lengthy battle with various health problems.

Holmes paid his homage to the legendary boxing trainer this weekend. According to Cleveland.com, he died peacefully in his sleep last week after a long battle with various health problems. 

Richie, besides being an effective and successful manager and trainer, also won the title of The Manager of the Year in 1978, the year Holmes won his title. 

“I had just talked to him a week before his passing. I cut the conversation short because he was tired ... I'm going to really miss him,” said the heavyweight record holder with a heavy heart. 

Larry Holmes is married to his wife, Diane. The couple got married in 1979 and they have two children, Kandy Holmes and Larry Holmes Jr. He has an estimated net worth of $18 million dollars.