Holmes, whose left jab is rated among the best in boxing history, held the WBC heavyweight title from 1978 to 1983, "The Ring" magazine and lineal heavyweight titles from 1980 to 1985, and the inaugural IBF heavyweight title from 1983 to 1985. During his only title reign, he defended his title against 19 fighters, the second most in history behind Joe Louis and the most since the international expansion of boxing governing bodies. Holmes is the only fighter to have stopped Muhammad Ali and the only man still alive to have beaten Ali.