6. LARRY HOLMES

Fights: 24

Wins: 21

Losses: 3

Draws: 0

Title fights: 0-2

Summary: The former heavyweight champion arguably had a more-successful post-40 career than George Foreman, minus the monumental accomplishment of regaining the title.

Holmes left boxing for more than a year after he lost two bitterly close decisions to Michael Spinks in 1985 and 1986. He was stopped in four rounds by Mike Tyson almost two years later and appeared to be finished.

He wasn’t. He came back at 41 in 1991 and proceeded to win consistently, including a clear decision over then-unbeaten and highly respected Ray Mercer to earn a shot at Evander Holyfield’s heavyweight titles in 1992. Holmes lost a decision but did better than Foreman did against Holyfield and then lost a close decision to Oliver McCall in his final title shot at 45. He would fight four more times and then walk away.

“Holmes did more than Foreman did. He just didn’t win the heavyweight championship,” said writer and historian Cliff Rold.