St. Luke’s Dedicates Larry Holmes Portrait at St. Luke’s Easton Campus

The “Easton Assassin” was the king of the heavyweight division in boxing from 1978 through 1985 and has championed St. Luke’s since 2011, when he represented St. Luke’s orthopedic service line, and later as a St. Luke’s Community Ambassador.

In fact, Holmes was the first celebrity to work with St. Luke’s, a list of high-profile athletes that includes Phillies legend Steve Carlton, Eagles kicker David Akers and running back Saquon Barkley, and Hollywood actor/director/produce Daniel Roebuck.

Holmes, age 75, was honored by St. Luke’s for his work highlighting St. Luke’s exceptional health care including his work with sports performance and treatment for diabetes.

St. Luke’s hosted an invitation-only event called “Celebrating Larry Holmes: A Community Champion” at the St. Luke’s Easton Campus on Wednesday, Feb. 26.

“St. Luke’s is honored and privileged to recognize a special community champion like Larry Holmes,” said St. Luke's President & CEO Rick Anderson. “Larry is the epitome of a humanitarian, philanthropist and true champion in every sense of the word and values his community.

“It is only fitting that in honor of his 75th birthday, and his 75 professional fights, St. Luke’s is unveiling a special watercolor portrait of the champ that will be located in the lobby of our St. Luke’s Easton Campus.”

Holmes (69-6, 44 KOs), without question, is one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. His storied left jab allowed him 48 successful title defenses and led to four more attempts at the title after his first loss.

Mr. Holmes, always a champion, engaged with St. Luke’s under the tutelage of John Graham, Senior Network Director, Fitness & Sports Performance, to maintain his fitness following his boxing career. In March of 2013, Larry required medical care when he was diagnosed with diabetes. Subsequently he filmed a documentary of his journey from diagnosis to treatment of diabetes under the care of St. Luke’s physicians.

“St. Luke’s has been there for me, first as a retired athlete, and then when I needed them most. My blood sugar had spiked to 900 and I was told to get to a hospital immediately,” Holmes said. “Just like in boxing, when I chose the best trainers, I chose the best hospital, doctors and medical care in St. Luke’s.”

Lehigh Vally resident, Andrew Kish III, whose artworks are in galleries worldwide, created the watercolor portrait of Holmes with a “stare” in a true boxer’s pose, gloved left hand slightly lowered. 

“It was an honor to do this portrait of Larry,” said Kish. “The painting represents Larry in the prime of his career when he was truly the best heavyweight boxer on the planet.”

Holmes and his family are thrilled with the portrait, which now hangs in "Larry's Corner" at the St. Luke's Easton Campus.

Larry said: “Thank you to St. Luke’s for working with me. Thank you to Andrew for a great painting. Together, this whole celebration of me turning 75 has been fantastic. It’s a knockout.”