To prove to the World Boxing Oranizations and United States Boxing Commissions that he was capable of performing at a World Class Level, Muhammad Ali brought up the name of Minnesota - Scott LeDoux. But before Scott Ledoux, and after the proposed bout with Willie 'The Cannon' Shannon fell through, Muhammad Ali wanted Ron Lyle again, first. But, the 39 year-old Ron Lyle had been 'flattened' (L KO 2) by Lynn Ball in his previous bout in December 1979. Ron, tried to convince everyone that would listen, that it was a 'lucky punch' that put him away versus Lynn Ball, and that he was Ready-to-Rumble with Muhammad Ali, as long as he had 6-weeks to prepare. But, no one would listen. Instead, everyone's favorite 'fringe contender' the 31 year-old Scott LeDoux was asked to be the 'sacrificial lamb'. Posting a 26-6-4 record, LeDoux would at least try in the ring, and was not 'a shot old fighter', as he had proven in his last bout by squeaking out a 10-Round Decision over 'undefeated' Marty Monroe. This content is protected
March 1980 Muhammad Ali, who went back to his camp at Deer Lake, Pennsylvania - Proclaimed that the Heavyweight Division was a 'mess', and only he could save it from being devoured from itself. At 235 lbs., his bout versus 182 lb. Cruiserweight has been squashed, as many had labeled it 'The Whale versus the Barracuda'. And Ron Lyle, with pending murder charges, that bout could have been held in a Federal Penitentiary. Even Muhammad Ali suggested that the bout could be held in Alcatraz. Muhammad even suggested the bout be billed as 'Escape From Alcatraz'. Left with Scott LeDoux, a bout that was proposed for Bloomington, Minnesota. Muhammad was having a difficult time coming up with a moniker, but suggested several names, which all fell flat.
I shudder at the thought of even a shot Ali losing to someone like Scott Ledoux. I think it was still possible that Muhammad would have taken a decision in 1980, but half of me is glad that the fight never happened.
March 16, 1980 Muhammad Ali wanted to fight WBC Heavyweight Champion - Larry Holmes, But the WBC and their President Jose Suliaman, suddenly got 'religion' and wanted Muhammad Ali to defeat at least one WBC Top 10 ranked fighter. Scott LeDoux was the most available 'perfect' foe. On March 16, 1980 - CBS-Sports visited Muhammad Ali in Miami Beach while in training, to check out on the 38 year-old former Champion, and to see how he was performing in his attempt to get back in shape for a possible May 1980 bout.
Who said Scott LeDoux would beat Muhammad Ali,,,,,,,,, It was a 'proposed bout', that's all that is stated here. Maybe you can't comprehend general statements, because you are 'jaded' towards someone.
March 17, 1980 The Associated Press - Muhammad Ali who was in Miami Beach, attempting to get back in shape for a comeback fight, had designated Scott LeDoux as his 'new' opponent. The bout was to be scheduled for a May 1980 date, and in Bloomington, Minnesota. But, Scott LeDoux had signed an earlier contract to fight 'Gentleman' Gerry Cooney, in Atlantic City, New Jersey for a date set on April 19, 1980. Bob Arum, tried to re-negotiate a 'new deal', with Scott LeDoux to face the former Champion, who had been in Miami Beach training. Muhammad had lost 14 lbs. in '10-Days', and was predicting to lose another 15 lbs., and come in to fight Scott LeDoux at 220 lbs. in early-May. Muhammad Ali said he needed to get the fight in with Scott LeDoux, to get ranked as a Top 10 Challenger. Ali stated, that he already had 'money' from a Southeast Asian fight promoter, to bring a Heavyweight Championship bout to Taiwan in June 1980. Bob Arum added, 'That the bout with Scott LeDoux is not 100%. We could use a fill-in, like Cleveland Heavyweight - Mike Koranicki, if we have to'.
April 14, 1980 I am now 'Dark Gable', and I will remove the 'White Slavemaster' Scott LeDoux from his 'mansion', and put him out in the fields to 'pick cotton'. Muhammad was then told that Corn is Minnesota's #1 Crop, and that there are no cotton fields in the state. Muhammad Ali, 'Well then, we'll have to send that white boy into the 'Corn Fields', and to shuck some corn for the new 'Master of the House.' This content is protected
Due to 'contractual problems' it doesn't look like Scott LeDoux will be available to fight Muhammad Ali. But, East Los Angeles Heavyweight - Eddie 'The Animal' Lopez appears to throw his hat into the ring. The 27 year-old - Eddie, has just come off a 'disputed' 10-Round Draw with former Champion - Leon Spinks in March. The 6' 1" 205 lb. brawler-slugger with a record of 17-2-2 (10 KO's) could be a difficult task for Muhammad Ali, as Eddie has faster hands than Scott LeDoux, and has a harder punch.
A 'fat' 248 lbs., Muhammad Ali trying to convince his '38' year-old body, that he can do it. Ferdie Pacheco, 'It is going to be a disaster. I don't want him to do it.' Floyd Patterson, 'When you're young, the punches hurt, but the pain goes away. When you're older, the punches hurt, and the pain stays.' Larry Holmes, 'He says he's fighting because he needs the money. All he has to do is sell one of his homes, and one of his antique cars. He can't fight anymore, and he can't beat anyone. He's 38, he's done and he knows it.' Larry Holmes, 'Ali said he needs a new poem. How about,,,,,,,, 'I'm 38 and Out-of-Shape'. June 1980 (Cover photo taken in April 1980) This content is protected
May 1980 Scott LeDoux, 'I drove from here in Minnesota, all the way to over to Muhammad's training camp in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania to check him out. What I saw is not good. He had this thick jiggly jelly roll around his waist.' 'I wanted to leave, but he asked me to watch him spar some Light-Middleweight kid. 'He labored for 6-Rounds with some skinny 150 lb. kid (Charles Carter). After 6-Rounds, he was exhausted, and he couldn't even land a punch on the kid.' 'I told him, I want a fight, not some kind of sympathy bout. He said he would be ready in 6-weeks. And I asked him, ready for what, you can't fight anymore.'