56 Years ago today, Muhammad Ali defended his title against Brian London, it was August 6 1966.

I was nine and while I don't remember much about the fight, I do remember I was thrilled to see my favorite boxer on TV. Then Ali destroyed my hero. Kidding, I was a big Ali fan and I was pretty happy to see him fight.

 

Always great when you have a memory like that of doing something with your brother, Very cool.

 

Poor Brian didn't stand a chance.
Then again, against Ali back then.. Who did??

 

The speed disparity was insane. London was smaller than Ali and significantly slower. The stoppage itself was surreal - the speed behind the punches was what bowled him over - Ali certainly threw harder punches in his career but London couldn't brace himself and he was blindsided by the speed.

 

I was eleven years old and recall the fight well. I listened to it live on the radio and then watched it on television the following night. After Muhammad beat two Brits in a row,I became an Ali fanatic from that moment on.

At one point the only factor holding Brian up was the speed of Muhammad's punches.

 

I just went and re-watched this fight. Poor Brian London was terribly overmatched. Smaller, older, slower and less skilled is not the way to win a fight. Ali was near his physical peak. He was quick afoot with hand speed of which a welterweight would be proud. When Ali finally turned it on in the third round London was done within 20 seconds.

A few points of interest (at least to me) It was after this fight that Ali announced on the broadcast that Herbert Muhammad would be his manager. The official time of the knockout was 1:40 which is why Boxrec shows it that way. However, ABC noted, and a viewing of the fight showed, that the actual end came at just :40 of round 3. It was nice to hear ABC's Bill Fleming doing the blow-by-blow. The underappreciated Fleming was one of the many highly skilled announcers ABC utilized for Wide World of Sports. Lastly, It was contracted that the winner of the fight would defend the title just five weeks later against Karl Mildenberger. That just doesn't happen anymore. In fact, the London fight was one of five bouts Ali would have in 1966. Fighters should be ashamed of the two fights a year scheduling that is prevalent today.

 

Watched that on TV as well.....

 

Brian was a good, honest fighter but was way out of his depth against Ali, as he admitted many times.

That said, when in the mood he could be a rough and tough so and so especially at british/euro level. I have read his biography - "Be Lucky", its a good read and nice to see a boxer have a long and successful retirement with plenty of money to show for his efforts. Savvy businessman was Brian. RIP

 

I didn’t know Brian had passed. RIP. I see Brian lived to several days beyond his 87th birthday - a good, long life.

I’ve very much enjoyed reading members childhood recollections of the fight.