What's the official rule on this? When Joe Louis came out of retirement, he was automatically the #1 contender for Ezzard Charles' crown. If that's the case, why wasn't Muhammad Ali the #1 contender for the title when he returned in 1970? I thought about this after the April Fool's prank that Lennox Lewis pulled. If he did come back, would he automatically get a title shot since he retired as the WBC Champion? Bert Sugar said that Rocky Marciano was going to come out of retirement for Ingemar Johanson if he'd won the rematch with Patterson. Why do some champs who retire with the belt get automatic title shots when they return, but others do not?
I think this is all about who sell tickets and who don´t..... In the case of Ali and Louis, I imagine it was because Ali was really hated at the time and Louis was loved...:think People wanted to make things difficult to Ali....
Given the opportunity, I don't think Muhammad would have opted for an immediate shot at Frazier in 1970. He knew he was rusty and out of shape, knew he needed the work he got in against Quarry and Bonavena, and no boxer seemed to understand the value and importance of building up anticipation for a match the way he did. He actually rushed prematurely into the FOTC ahead of an anticipated adverse SCOTUS ruling against him. If that vote had taken place in his favor prior to JQ I, he probably would have opted for a shot at Joe no earlier than the summer of 1971. (Tyson later used McNeeley and Mathis, Jr. to get to Bruno II.) Louis was in a desperate financial situation, and Charles hadn't captured the public imagination the way the Bomber had. Joe looked good in some exhibitions, including a rare ten round display against big Johnny Shkor. (Dempsey didn't go longer than four rounds in his post retirement exhibitions.) Of course so much of it is about $$$$$. That's what got Ali to Holmes.
Of course the most notable was Jeffries against Johnson in July 1910. Jeff had not fought since August 1904. But public demand, a boatload of money, and having the 0 on the record and being considered a great former champion and the only man with any shot to beat Johnson all explain why the fight happened.
If I remember correctly, I believe Ring Magazine did rate Ali #1 when he came back in 1970 - at least after he defeated Quarry. As far as WBA or WBC, I do not know where they placed Ali. I agree that public demand and money make such fights happen.
Jim Corbett was coming out of 2 years retirement when he received a title shot against Jeffries. Corbett received another one, again against Jeffries , this time after 3 years retirement. Bob Fitzsimmons also got a title shot against Jeffries after 2 years retirement.
On Joe Louis,,,,,,, It was a 100% money issue. He needed the money, and all parties involved made sure that the bout with Ezzard Charles went forward. Even the Bureau of Internal Revenue was involved in the negotiations. Ezzard Charles had no qualms about the fight, and neither did any of the other contenders. All were willing to side-step, to allow Joe Louis get a chance of making money, to help pay off his debts. There were even rumors floating around, that the 'fix-was-in'. With Joe Louis winning, then agreeing to fight Ezzard Charles in a re-match.
I don't think Ali was either, preferring to build up anticipation for his redemption patiently. After the FOTC, I suspect Joe expected he wouldn't have enough left to successfully retain his title a second time. It didn't look like anybody else was on the horizon who could threaten Smoke, so they probably figured they could take their time with it. Once Foreman ambushed Frazier in Jamaica, Muhammad and Joe didn't mess around delaying their rematches. I've no doubt whatsoever that a fourth match between the two would have immediately followed Foreman-Frazier II if Smoke had somehow prevailed. (And being granted a quick second title shot so soon after Manila might have secured a measure of post retirement peace between the two for Joe.)
Ali should have had a title rematch in 1972. Still,all bye the bye. As for the first Frazier fight,I did read somewhere that after so many false dawns concerning Muhammad getting his license back,Yank Durham was getting very cynical about whether the FOTC was ever going to happen,so Ali's team took the Quarry and Bonavena fights first. Also,it was sensible not to go straight into the ring with Joe after a three and a half year lay off.
Similar to Tyson. Tyson was a little too loved as well after he was released (until the bite fight), i mean he was the Number 1 contender for the WBC around the Buster Mathis fight? i mean thats a frigging joke when guys like Lewis, Holyfield, Bowe and Foreman were without belts. Tysons career might have been slightly different if hed taken the hard road
