Holmes To Fight

NEW YORK -- Unbeaten Larry Holmes, casting aside Gerrie Coetzee, will fight James "Bonecrusher" Smith for the International Boxing Federation heavyweight title Nov. 9 when he continues his quest to catch the ghost of Rocky Marciano.

"I'm going to let that fight die." Holmes said at a news conference Wednesday, referring to his proposed bout against Coetzee, the World Boxing Association champion.

Holmes had hoped to make his first fight this year for promoter Don King against the WBA titleholder from South Africa. But that fight was blocked, at least temporarily, when Holmes lost a lawsuit filed by Virginia attorney Richard Hirschfeld.

Hirschfeld contended he had a contract with Holmes that gave him first refusal on a Holmes-Coetzee fight.

The timetable for Holmes, who will be 35 on Nov. 3, calls for him to fight five more times. If he wins all five, he would be 50-0 -- and surpass the late Marciano's unblemished record of 49-0.