Randall "Tex" Cobb — boxer, kickboxer and character actor

Boxing profile and style

As a pugilist Cobb was celebrated for his physical strength, ability to absorb punishment and for landing significant blows rather than for technical finesse. Observers described him as a power puncher whose fights often featured dramatic exchanges. He earned respect for never having been stopped inside the distance in his professional career and for victories against accomplished punchers. Cobb's combat experience later included a short period in which he competed as a kickboxer, testing his skills in a different rule set before moving away from active competition.

Notable fights

Among Cobb's most famous contests was his challenge for the WBC World Heavyweight title against Larry Holmes at the Houston Astrodome on November 26, 1982. Holmes won by wide margins on the judges' scorecards, and the bout drew attention not only for the result but for the reaction from media figures: veteran broadcaster Howard Cosell famously expressed such surprise at the mismatch that he said he would not cover another fight, while many fans wrote to Cobb to praise his effort and grit. Cobb also recorded a memorable knockout over veteran puncher Earnie Shavers and met other top heavyweights of his era, including two fights with Michael Dokes.

Acting career and public image

After stepping back from full-time fighting, Cobb moved into the entertainment world and became a familiar face in films and television. He appeared in comedies, action pictures and character roles, frequently cast as a tough or imposing screen presence. Early moviegoers will recognize him in films such as The Naked Gun and Raising Arizona, where his imposing frame and deadpan delivery made him an effective portrayer of on-screen bad guys. Cobb's transition from the ring to the screen is an example of a sportsman leveraging reputation and personality into a second career in Hollywood.

Legacy and distinctions

Cobb is often remembered for combining real heavyweight punching power with unusual durability. Sportswriters and fans have long cited him as a figure who, despite not becoming a long-reigning champion, earned popular admiration for his willingness to face elite competition and for his memorable personality. His life illustrates how combat-sport athletes can cross into popular culture while remaining linked to their athletic achievements. He is sometimes profiled in discussions of heavyweight boxing history and in retrospectives about fighters who became actors.

Selected fights and films

• Fight versus Larry Holmes (WBC heavyweight title challenge, Houston Astrodome)
• Knockout win over Earnie Shavers
• Two bouts with Michael Dokes

• Acting credits including appearances in films such as The Naked Gun and Raising Arizona
• Frequent casting as a villainous character or tough-guy supporting role

For more general background on heavyweight boxing or filmographies that include athletes turned actors, consult broader reference sources and film databases. Additional context on Cobb's career can be found through boxing archives and contemporary reports from the period when he fought for the world title. He remains a notable figure who bridged competitive sport and popular entertainment and who is widely associated with Texas boxing heritage — he began life and his early career in Texas and built a public profile as an American boxer and entertainer in Hollywood.