Muhammmad Ali vs Buster Mathis 'The Battle of the Fat *******s'

November 17, 1971

Houston Astrodome

Muhammad Ali, 1-fight removed from the 'Fight of the Century' just
8-months earlier, lumbers into Texas, with added girth (227 lbs.)
to take on Buster Mathis.

Muhammad Ali, 29 years-old (and 2-months away from the age of 30),
brought his 32-1-0 (25 KO's) record, and #1 Heavyweight ranking
into Houston, claiming that he was now a better puncher with the
added weight.

Buster Mathis, 'A Fat *******' himelf at 256 lbs., had not fought in
32-months, since losing to Jerry Quarry in March 1969.

The 28 year-old, 6' 3" 256 lb. 'Behemoth', had retired in 1969 with a
fine record of 29-2-0 (20 KO's), and at one time in 1967 was being
mentioned as a future opponent for then Champion - Cassius Clay.

Buster was renamed 'The Mountain'.

The New York Newspapers labeled this fight "The Battle of the Bellies"

Though the Houston Promoters called it 'The Mountain Comes to Muhammad'

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ABC-TV 'Wide World of Sports'

Who bought the rights to the tape-delay broadcast, had to apologize to
it's viewers for broadcasting a 'piece of trash' as Howard Cosell called it.

New York TV Sportscasters on the Late-Night News called it,
'The Battle for Meatball Mountain'

 

Mr. Un,

'The Dancing Bears at the Circus'.

Thanks for posting.

And what a 'tremendous' undercard

George Chuvalo vs. Cleveland Williams

34 year-old George Chuvalo, at a bloated 227 lbs., who had retired 6-months earlier
after losing to Jimmy Ellis.

38 year-old Cleveland Williams, at 230 lbs. Loser of 6 of his last ''11 bouts', including
losing to Jack O'Halloran in his previous bout.

 

Even the undercard preliminary was a 'shockingly' non-exciting bout.

21 year-old British Heavyweight - Joe Bugner (33-3-1), who had lost
his last bout to 'Oh My God' - Jack Bodell

Against, Mike Boswell (13-5-0), who had lost his last '5' bouts in a row.

Everybody was coming into this extravaganza - either out-of-shape, old,
semi-retired, or with a 'loss'.

JESUS CHRIST

 

And what Texas Fight Promotion would be complete without

Roy 'Cookie' Wallace

Yes, Houston's - 'Cookie' Wallace with a record of 10-15-2, and yes a 'loser' in his previous
bout, versus -

Mr. John Balla, with a record of 11-5-1, and a loser in '5' of his previous '7' bouts, and
yes, a 'loss' in his previous bout.

What A Wonderful Fight Card

 

You have to agree though Mr. Nightcrawler,,,,,

The atmosphere circling around Muhammad Ali was certainly 'circus like'.

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I think he just looks thin, because of the size of Buster Mathis.

The Most Famous Man on The Planet, there are many people that can
fit into that category.

For God's Sake,,,,,,,,,,Ronald McDonald was famous too.