Undoubtedly Muhammad Ali was all-time greatest boxer. His boxing was a real treat to watch ,a he really boxed it as an sport rather than as street fight in case of most of the boxers, ie boxing a oure pure sport sport. No other boxer is anywhere near Ali. RIP legend.
@@user-ef2lw9ll1f Comeback all he did was grab and hold Spinks every few seconds of every round throughout the entire fight. This fight should have been called holdgate.
Indeed, Muhammad Ali's impact extends far beyond the confines of the boxing ring. His legacy serves as a beacon of inspiration for people from all walks of life, transcending boundaries of geography, culture, and time. From his unparalleled skill and athleticism in the sport of boxing to his unwavering advocacy for civil rights and social justice, Ali's influence continues to resonate with generations, reminding us of the power of courage, conviction, and compassion. He truly stands as an enduring symbol of greatness and humanity.
90 million people watched this live on broadcast television. More than the first 11 Super Bowls. Ali wasn't just a fighter, he was a global icon. Even past his prime, he was MUST SEE TV. The whole world stopped to watch him in his craft. Unbelievable. Will never happen again.
All that so true. Past his prime...we were glued to him. I know a lot of people will disagree but, I think his 2nd Spinks' fight was one of his best efforts ever. You watch him...no stare down...no mouth...just Ali reaching into himself.
I grew up in the 70's and loved Boxing. I had my own little gym in our cellar, with every picture of Ali on the the wall . The best thing back then all the big fights were on network TV.
Some people come around for a season but then you have that one that comes around for a REASON, Muhammad Ali Clearly Etched His Name In History As The Greatest... I'm so honored to have seen and shook my brother hand... 2/14/2023...RIP Champ
Apart from the GREAT Ali's often mentioned attributes of movement, slipping punches, left jab, bravery and ability to take a punch so well, he was the best at tying up opponents by holding and then pushing them off which he never got penalised for - maybe that's within the rules. A wonderful boxer and human being.
I am more amazed watching this now then when I was watching it live, unreal how he could dance on his toes for the whole fight and score the way he did. It's a shame a fighter like him only comes around once in a lifetime RIP champ.
Ali was robbed of his crown and lost 3 and half prime years and still he came back and beat the best of the 70s to cement himself as the greatest of all times.
The greatest boxer of the 20th century in Ali and the greatest sports journalist of the 20th century in Howard Cosell. It will never get better than this.
Ali kept Spinks from punching with non stop holding. Punch and grab tactics to control the fight. The referee actually took the 5th round away from Ali for excessive holding. Ali’s holding tactics continued throughout the fight. But the referee never did anything else about it. Ali didn’t outclass Spinks. He simply smothered Spinks with excessive holding to keep Spinks from having any kind of offense in this fight.
Muhammad Ali boxing great. Using his right hand to scote points on a vonfused Leon Spinks daw the fight live. Ali 36 years old wimning back the heavyweight boxing title
نحن فى مصر كنا نشاهد مباريات محمد على تذاع على التلفذيون الارضى بعد الفجر حسب التوقيت الامريكى تحيا من القلب لمحمد على الذى حقق المستحيل ثلاث مرات واسترد لقبه من كنى نورتن جو فريزر ليون اسبنكس ندعو لك بلرحمه والمغفره محمد على لن تتكرر يابطل
I watched this fight all alone at 13 years old. I used to run outside and roll on the ground when Ali won. I did the same thing for the Montreal Canadiens. Anyway I was happy as Fuck when Ali won this. His speech was deteriorating by this point. Too bad he didn't quit after Foreman!!!
Ali has the best cardio since human being. How can he keep at almost 37 years of age dancing, moving and hitting for 15 rounds. It is unhuman. Dann, that is why he his without a doubt the GOAT.
Muhammad Ali probably had slight symptoms of Parkinson's disease during this fight. He showed great courage and toughness and fought with intelligence to regain the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship for the 3rd time at the age of 36 years. He should have retired immediately after this fight. He didn't realize his body couldn't sustain it anymore.
This was Ali's last hurrah and a great night in Boxing as history was made with Ali winning the Heavyweight Title for a record 3rd time. One thing I want to point out to the Ali fans is that if you watch this fight you seen Larry Holmes being briefly interviewed by Frank Gifford between one of the rounds and Larry wasn't trashing Ali. He was rooting for Ali, he never said anything bad or negative. He wasn't calling out Ali and Was Happy for Ali to go out like that. So when Ali anounces he was coming out of retirement two years had passed and he was challenging Holmes. Larry never called Ali out and had no intention of fighting Ali who had give him a job as a sparring partner during Holme's early years as a pro. This was Ali and Don King. Muhammad Ali needed the money and he convinced himself that he could beat Holmes if he trained and got in shape. Don King pushed to make the fight because it would be a chance for Ali to win title for 4th time and for Holmes to get out of Ali's shadow. At the time there were no other big fights out there that was going to generate big money. The Vegas odds I think were 2 To 1 for Holmes if I remember right. So when people say Larry punished Ali at 38 I find that funny because Leon Spinks in both fights with a 36 year old Ali was trying to knock his head off. Leon was fighting his butt off and Ali was a shot fighter in 78 he was never the same fighter after 3rd Frazier fight in 75. Muhammad Ali was examine by the Mayo clinic. He was approved to fight by the Nevada Athletic Commission. He had not been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at that time like so many people have tried to go back and say. He was taunting Holmes at ringside the whole night of July 7, 1980 when Holmes was defending his title against Scott LeDoux. He would get up on ring apron and stir the crowd up into an Ali, Ali chant. He looked pretty fit for a 38 year old that night. So Holmes was just doing his job that night and took it easy on Ali after 6th round. Larry wasn't jumping up and celebrating. He hung his head because he knew Ali wasn't in the fight and he never wanted to even fight Ali. A no win situation as he had said all along before fight but that's Boxing.
I agree with most of what you said 100%. But I have read some medical test revealed serious problems with Ali and were covered up. Also many in Ali's camp noticed he was not "right". During sparring sessions he would sit in his corner and fall asleep. Some said he would fall asleep while having lunch. Part of that may have been due to being misdiagnosed with hypothyroidism. The doctor prescribed medication for this. I heard that they told Ali it was just vitamins. This medication is part of the reason for the amazing weight loss he had before the Holmes fight. The weight loss helped form an illusion that he was in the best shape since the Foreman fight. But it was a complete illusion. Anyone with half a brain knew it took all he had to beat Spinks in the rematch. Holmes was probably at his absolute peak in 1980 and would have destroyed that 1978 Spinks very much like he did when they did fight later. Holmes was/is an all time great and at his peak. Ali's true peak was 1966. However even early 70's Ali was still great. Like you said Manila took everything left and no doubt Shavers did him no favors either. Add to this the fact he had not fought in 2 years. I mean no warm ups against a nobody and then perhaps a top ten to see if you are ready. Leonard did this too but Leonard was still great before his retirement and had not taken the beatings Ali took. I can never convince myself that Dundee really believed his man could win this. I think Dundee just saw another payday. This could be said by many in Ali's camp. Pacheco had quit after Shavers because he knew Ali was finished and taking too much punishment. I think Ali's managers basically took must of the money and a divorce hit him hard. No doubt Don Kings hands were dirty as well. I don't know how broke he was but it was said he did need money. Originally he was going to come back for John Tate's title. But Weaver scored a late knockout and took the title from Tate. So it was decided to let him fight Holmes instead. I didn't think the Ali of the Holmes fight would have beaten any top ten heavyweight but Holmes was just crazy. Dundee should have stopped that fight after round 6 if we are being honest. Ali did perform a little better against Berbick. He was off the thyroid medication. But he was still old and washed up. But he was competitive at least. Ali's last good fight was in Manila. His last super great fight was against Foley in April of 1967. That Ali would have beaten Holmes in my opinion. I will not get into that argument though.. I almost forgot. I agree that we can not blame Holmes for this. He had super respect for Ali and it was said he cried after the fight.
@@bobbywise2313 , Yea he was having some issues but he hadn't been diagnosed with Parkinson's at that time. I don't think Angelo went along with it for the money I think it was more if your going to do this I'll be with you but I really don't agree with it. I mean it was Ali and Ali was gonna do what he wanted to do. Don King would put a man into a fight who just came out of a coma if he could make a Buck off of it. The fight should have never happened but like Holmes said if I beat him he was an old man and if i lose to him i never was nothing. Plus if he hadn't sign to fight him he would have been accused of ducking him. The Ali fans didn't respect Holmes and believed he would beat Holmes but Holmes proved them wrong.
@@curtismcneil8695 Absolutely. Holmes was in a bad situation and couldn't win either way. Holmes never escaped the shadow of Ali and that I feel upset Larry later in his career. People say Holmes is underrated or doesn't get the respect he deserves. I think that is true in general but not amongst real fight fans. I know Larry for what he was and do feel he is one of the all time greats. This was probably the only payday fight at the time as well. I think Cooney ($$$$) was a year later. And I feel he was a little rushed. He probably needed one more year to be ready for such a fight. I am not saying he would have won but I think he would have been in a better position for a possible win. Beating Holmes from 1979 till around 1983 would have been extremely difficult. By 1983 I think he was slowing slightly and over the next couple of years it was even more obvious.
@@bobbywise2313 , Yea Cooney should have went after Mike Weaver first because Weaver was a notorious slow starter and I honestly think Cooney could have won that fight. Larry's fight with Cobb didn't help him either as it was such a mismatch. Larry started looking old in the Witherspoon fight. He got down to his normal fighting weight but he wasn't as strong. He had trouble keeping Witherspoon off. He started fighting a little heavier after that fight and picking his fights a little more conservative.
@@curtismcneil8695 Agree with everything you said. It's rare to see people who really know boxing on the threads. See you on another RU-vid boxing thread I hope.
1:11:24 The iconic shot they would end ABC's Wide World of Sports with in my youth. Ali really should've just retired for good. But he just couldn't stay away.
I love Smokin Joe's expression after singing the national anthem. He looks to one side of the arena then the other and then simply smiles. Knows he nailed it. 🥊
This in many ways may be Ali s greatest effort. He has nothing in the tank. If only he could of stayed retired after this fight and just used his personality to earn. The atmosphere,cosell, 3 time champ,made this the perfect exit. It's just so horrible how it all ended up. 30 years of silence, trembling, physical limitations.just a great effort to win this fight,with an empty tank.
This was Ali's last great performance. Even already with the First signs of parkinson desease appearing since 1976, Ali danced, jabbed , did the Shuffle ... Ali , definitly the greatest of all times 🥊🥊🥊🥊
@lanzacash It proved that Ali, even with his health already in deterioration, could rise to the moment one last time. Meanwhile, you're some guinea whose never done anything in their life except insult people on RU-vid. Go eat some pasta you fucking clown.
Are you out of your mind? Ali should have been disqualified for persistent and excessive holding. Every few seconds of every round for 15 rounds. Ali’s glove or gloves behind Spinks neck pulling Spinks forward and down. Move punch jab and grab. Total control for 15 rounds. The referee did take away the 5th round from Ali for excessive holding. He could have done that in every round of he fight.
Man. He was my hero growing up. My mom loved him. Now, 40 yrs later, I'm still watching his fights...my hero. I guess I'm still a kid at heart. Thank you Ali!
Ali won, but Ali was gone in this fight, you can tell Ali was punch drunk already, should had retired after the last Frazier fight, I remember this fight, I was 16 years old.
certainly a great night, the superdome crowd in a frenzy beginning to end. Ali in shape, fought well , boxed, danced punched just enough, used his size & strength in the clinches. Spinks came in hard landed some good shots, kept up a good pace, was losing but didn`t seem discouraged, tough kid. Cosell, recognizing history in the making milked the moment for all it was worth but how could anyone blame him. Howard was a true great original & was always front & center in the Ali era.
Ali put on a clinic in grabbing and holding Spinks behind his neck. A clinch every few seconds of every round throughout the fight to keep Spinks from being able to mount an offense.
The two fights between Spinks and Ali were pivotal moments in boxing history, with Spinks' victory in the first bout marking one of the biggest upsets in the sport, and Ali's victory in the rematch solidifying his legendary status as a boxer.
I swear if this fight was happened 8-10 years earlier, Ali would have finish it off within 7 rounds. Spinks is not even a middle class boxer in front of Ali.
Ali’s most troublesome opponents: Ken Norton, Henry Cooper, Doug Jones, Jimmy Young. Ali’s hardest punching opponents: Sonny Liston, George Foreman, Earnie Shavers. In Ali’s own words, the hardest puncher he ever faced: Earnie Shavers. Ali’s most intimidating opponent: Sonny Liston Ali’s GREATEST opponent: Joe Frazier. The on opponent that even Muhammad Ali could not defeat: Father Time. Is Ali truly The Greatest Heavyweight Champion ever: in my opinion, oh Hell yes.
Grande , io penso che se nn avrebbe incontrato la malattia, avrebbe difeso il 3 titolo x altri 4 ho 5 anni .X me be' veramente il miglior peso massimo mai esistiti ad oggi.
That was quite an event... here we have the most famous boxer of all time (Ali), the most famous fictional boxer of all time (Stallone), another famous fictional boxer and pop culture icon (Mr. T), the most famous sportscaster of all time (Cosell), Joe Frazier singing the national anthem, and topped off with Bill Conti's famous "Going the Distance" instrumental from the Rocky movies.
No doubt other than Super Bowls the biggest sporting moment in the history of that now 45 year old Superdome. I bet many Sports Historians will rank it the #1 Sporting Event ever there.
Muhammad Ali's captivating presence transcended both the confines of the boxing ring and the boundaries of public perception. There exists a unanimous agreement regarding this assertion.
My dad was one of the guys walking him to the ring (you can see Ali's glove on his shoulder). Before they walked out, he said "Take me to the ring, Iron Man".
Sorry fellas, not much else to say. My dad and a few of his pals, all Louisiana State Police, went to see the fight. They offered to help when they noticed that his security could use some extra hands.
I "met" Ali on the corner of 59th and 5th in NYC in 1981 or so. He was definitely slower but everyone mobbed him. Not sure if I got his autograph or not.
i remember this fight and he should have hung it up after this fight. He was done at this point. Once a fighter always a fighter he never knew when to give it up unfortunate but he left a legacy that will never be eclipsed.
Like Ali said before Manila 🫣” who told Joe he could sing 🎤?” ….Ali released a tune with Sam Cooke in early 1964 ⭐️⭐️❤️ I loved them all ✊ it was amazing to have been young during this time 📺🎟️🎪👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏I was 15 on this now classic day! Loved Cosell too!
