UK Tour Demonstrates Friendships Make Boxing Great …
Former professional US boxing legends Larry Holmes and Gerry Cooney have recently celebrated 40 years since the most talked about fight in Modern Boxing History – a milestone recognised in the US and now in the UK as the two visit to talk about their friendship that has endured over the years.
The celebrity pair will be the stars of a ‘Nights With’ Evening at Stonham Barns Park – one of Suffolk’s premier destination venues – hosted by the venue’s ambassador UK pro boxing giant Glenn McCrory. The meet and greet event on 16 May 2022 will feature an evening meal, after dinner stories and photo opportunities and will be staged at The Barn and The Aspal function room which will feature the all-new McCrory’s Sports Bar that officially opens at the Stonham Aspal site in April.
Larry ‘The Easton Assassin’ Holmes, so called as he was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, defended his World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight World Title belt against top contender ‘Gentleman’ Gerry Cooney in 1972 outdoors at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Holmes won by way of a 13th round technical knockout in one of boxing’s most-hyped fights of the twentieth century. Gerry, who was born in Manhattan, New York City, was a pro boxing competitor from 1977–1990. He challenged World Heavyweight Titles twice in his career, most notably against Larry Holmes. Cooney is now co-host of Friday Night at the Fights on SIRIUS XM Radio in the US.
Boxing is still their passion. Holmes (72) and Cooney (65) have been close, lifelong friends. Said Holmes of the fight, ‘Gerry Cooney, man, he was one tough fighter. He really brought it. He’s a good guy, like a brother to me. We talk all the time. I like hanging with him. He’s funny.’
In the most self-effacing way, Holmes says of all the attention surrounding the 40 Years Anniversary of the fight, ‘After all these years, people still remember us!
Said Stonham Barns Park Owner, Alan Forward: ‘We are beyond privileged to be hosting these outstanding personalities from the world of boxing. It’s a historic day for us to be launching our ‘Nights With’ Evenings with such respected names from the sporting past.’ ‘We hope that boxing enthusiasts from the region will welcome these two US celebrities to Suffolk and come to hear their phenomenal stories of elite boxing – and their thoughts on boxing as it is today.’
A VIP Table Package (Table of 10) at £1500 and a Gold Package Table (Table of 10) at £1000 – both including a 3-course dinner – are available to book in advance. Individual ticket bookings are also available. Full ticket info is available at Stonham Barns Park website www.stonhambarns.co.uk or call 01449 711111.
Stonham Barns Park is a day out for all the family to suit all ages. Other activities at the leisure, retail and holiday venue include The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, The Bistro, The Golf Centre including Adventure Golf and FootGolf, The Teapot Pottery, Escape Rooms, holiday lodges, a caravan park, camping and glamping, Tumbledown indoor play barn and fishing lakes.
For more information about Stonham Barns Park please contact 01449 711901 or visit www.stonhambarns.co.uk
