With a deadly left jab and a fitting nickname of “The Easton Assassin” to boot, Larry Holmes had a glittering career as one of the top pugilists the sport has ever seen.

The American heavyweight, born on this day in 1949, won his first 48 professional fights, including a victory over Muhammad Ali in 1980 which makes him one of only five men to ever defeat the legend.

His unbeaten run fell one win short of tying Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 career record, but Holmes made multiple comebacks from retirement following his first loss to Michael Spinks in 1985.

He finished with a career record of 69-6 with 44 wins by knockout and his 20 successful title defences place him only behind Joe Louis’ 25 and Wladimir Klitschko’s 22 for most all-time.

Holmes’ accomplishments earned him an induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008.

1945: Gerd Muller, legendary West Germany striker who played for Bayern Munich. A World Cup winner in 1974 (70).

1981: Jermaine Jones, German-born midfielder for the New England Revolution and the United States national team (34).

1987: Ty Lawson, point guard for the NBA’s Houston Rockets and NCAA champion with North Carolina (28).

1987: Colin Kaepernick, duel-threat quarterback for the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers (28).