Larry Holmes Says He Fought Mercer With a Detached Retina
Larry Holmes says he was fighting with a detached retina when he earned a shot at the heavyweight championship.
“I got a detached retina in my right eye three weeks before I fought Ray Mercer,” the former champion said Tuesday. “I kept it quiet. I could see partially out of the right eye.”
On Feb. 7, Holmes, 43, scored an upset 12-round decision over Mercer at Atlantic City, N.J., and earned a title shot against Evander Holyfield.
“I went into the hospital immediately after the Mercer fight and had an operation,” Holmes said.
Holmes said the surgery was performed by Dr. I.H. Elzeneiny in St. Luke’s Hospital at Bethlehem, Pa. Elzeneiny was unavailable for comment.
“I don’t know anything about it, I don’t recall anything,” said Larry Hazzard Sr., athletic commissioner for New Jersey. “In order for fighter to fight in state of New Jersey, he has to have a thorough medical examination, so it’s hard for me to say.”
Holmes, a world champion from 1978 to 1985, lost a one-sided decision to Holyfield on June 19 at Las Vegas.
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