The very first fight I went to was the Cassius Clay - Doug Jones fight March 13, 1963, I paid $3.50 to sit in the nose bleed section of the old Garden. I remember watching Ali fight Earnie Shavers on TV, the shots he took from Shavers was unbelievable, and to come back and win. Ali was special, I am glad I got to see him in person. He was one of a kind. The last time I seen him in person was at the main street gym in LA, he came in and sparred Eddie the Animal Lopez, and played with him, this was 78-79. RIP Ali.
I read about this someplace ... the way I heard it, Ali came in for a casual sparring session; Lopez was ticked that he was getting all the attention and held nothing back in the first round of sparring, showing no respect and battering an unprepared Ali all around the ring. Ali came back the second and third rounds, showed some of his old gumption and schooled Lopez. Is this anywhere near what happened? Thanks -
I first saw him ( it was the only time ) in person in 66 at Highbury when he came back to show Wembley 63 was no fluke. He came down the aisle nearest to us to enter the ring, we were only 6 seats in, and my old fella says to me " f^^^ing hell son, look at the width of the man, Enery is in proper trouble here "