Ali's Busy Years of Boxing

Muhammad Ali Knocked Out The German Karl Mildenberger

1966 and early 1967 were busy time for the champion Mohammad Ali. In a period of a year Muhammad Ali defended his World Heavyweight Title seven times! No other champion has had that many defences in only a year. In March 1966, he won a unanimous decision over the tough Canadian heavyweight champion George Chuvalo who was never knocked down in his career. Muhammad Ali then Came to the United Kingdom to face the British Bulldog, Brian London and the sweetheart of British Boxing, Henry Cooper who had knocked him down in their encounter in 1963. Muhammad Ali won both those fights by knockout. Ali then took his entourage to Germany next to face southpaw Karl Mildenberger who was the first German fighter to fight for the world heavyweight title since Max Schmeling fought Joe Louis for the world heavyweight crown in 1937. In one of his tougher fights, Muhammad Ali finally won by knockout in Round 12. In November 1966, Muhammad Ali returned to the United States to face Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams in the Houston Astrodome.

Ali: Whupped The Disobedient Ernie Terrell

Cleveland Williams had one of the highest knockout ratio in boxing history and has often been ranked as one of the finest fighters who never won a title. Many felt that the big cat would give the champion Muhammad Ali a tough battle, however, Muhammad Ali easily knocked Cleveland Williams out in the third round. In January and March of 1967, Muhammad Ali faced Ernie Terrell in the Astrodome and then Zora Folley at Madison Square Garden. Ernie Terrell had refused to acknowledge Muhammad Ali's Muslim name and Ali vowed to punish him for this perceived insolence. Even though the fight went to a decision, Muhammad Ali delivered horrible beatings in every round. Ali kept taunting the challenger Ernie Terrell throughout the entire fight. Many said that, Ali's treatment of Ernie Terrell in the ring was cruel and brutal. Muhammad Ali's fight with the 35 year old Zora Folley is regarded by many as Ali's finest performance in the ring. Ali showed what a breathtaking fighter he was by throwing every punch sharply and on target. He knocked out the Zora Folly in the 7th Round of that fight.

Muhammad Ali: The Most Recognizable Controversial Figure

It was in this same year he refused to serve in the American army during the Vietnam War as a conscientious objector, famously saying that he got nothing against no Viet Kong and No Vietnamese ever called me a nigger. Muhammad Ali was stripped of his championship belt and his license to box and given a five years sentenced in prison but he never saw the inside of the prison. The sentence was overturned on appeal three years later. Muhammad Ali's actions in refusing military service and aligning himself with the Nation of Islam made him a lightning rod of controversy, turning the outspoken  former champion into one of that era's most recognizable and controversial figures. In 1970, Muhammad Ali was granted a license to box once more following his Supreme Court victory wherein he was granted his right to refuse military service. Muhammad Ali began his comeback, but he suffered a setback when he lost his 1971 title fight, a bruising 15-round encounter with the shuffling and stockily built fighter, Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden.

Muhammad Ali's Supreme Court Victory Granted Him His Rights

This fight, was simply known as "The Fight of the Century," was perhaps one of the most famous and eagerly anticipated bouts of all time, since it featured two skilled, undefeated fighters, both of whom had reasonable claims to the world heavyweight boxing crown. The fight lived up to the hype, and Joe Frazier punctuated his victory by flooring Muhammad Ali with a hard left hook in the final round. Muhammad Ali split two bouts with Ken Norton before beating Frazier on points in their 1974 rematch to earn another title shot. Muhammad Ali's religious views also changed with time. He began to study The Holy Qura'an seriously and converted to orthodox Islam. His earlier conformities to the curved out Elijah Muhammad's false teachings that white people are “devils”, that he is a messenger, were replaced by true Islam, spiritual embrace of all people and preparation for his own afterlife. Rumble in the Jungle and Thrilla in Manila. The incumbent, George Foreman, was a large, power hitting, undefeated young brute of a fighter who had previously demolished the shuffle moving in Joe Frazier, by Ko' ing him in the second round of their world championship fight and therefore, relieving Frazier of his title.

Ali vs. Foreman Was Don King's First Promotion

George Foreman was the heavy favourite. The fight was held in Zaire and promoted by Don King; his first promotion as "The Rumble in The Jungle." On the 30th October 1974 a bout that would cement his reputation as The Greatest Muhammad Ali boxed his best tactical fight. Often leading with his wrong; hand and playing rope-a-dope by leaning far back on the ropes. Rumours has it that the ropes had supposedly been loosened by Ali's trainer Angelo Dundee. Muhammad Ali literally absorbed everything George Foreman could throw at him, whilst only occasionally throwing counter punches. From Beating George Foreman, that same year, Ali had his third encounter with Frazier in Rumble in the Jungle.

Ali's Busy Years of Boxing