Ali was soundly beaten in 1980 by Larry Holmes and ws clearly in poor health. Why then did he make another comeback over a year later in 1981? What was the plan, did he just want to try and go out on a winning note or was he serious about another title shot? Also why did he wait almost 18 months to come back? :think:think
Why? Because he said numerous times he didn't want his career to end like he did against Holmes. And I think it makes sense too. he looked decent against Berbick. and showed the technical skills that were supposedly missing from his arsenal.
As 'good' as possible from a 39 year old totally shot boxer with the onset of Parkinsons, a hole in his brain & flab around the midsection can be. Shouldn't have got a license to fight. It was a sad fight, Ali was very sluggishly slow & pushing with his straight, but he tried.
He claimed that his self inflicted overdose of Thyrolar was hugely responsible for his showing against Holmes, and his improved performance in the Bahamas vindicated that somewhat. From long range, I felt he outboxed and outscored Berbick pretty cleanly, and also controlled the movement in the ring. He defended his head rather effectively, and Trevor didn't get in too many upstairs shots. Berbick was busier though, and flailed away at the body when Muhammad tried clinching. I think whatever physical damage Ali sustained in the Bahamas was negligible. My suspicion is that Shavers was responsible for most of the neurological damage he sustained in competition.
He didn't want his career to end on the Holmes fight and the Bahamas authorities convinced him to fight over there.