May 1977 Muhammad Ali doesn't have to fight Duane Bobick in his next Heavyweight Championship title defense, according to Chicago U.S. District Court Judge, John Powers Crowley. In a 12-Page opinion, Judge Crowley said Muhammad Ali, "lacked the capacity to enter into a contract without the approval of Herbert Muhammad." Bobick's attorneys have filed a $4,000,000 lawsuit, saying Ali had signed a contract to fight Duane Bobick next, but Ali then signed to fight another opponent. He first signed to fight Italy's 'Rocky' Lorenzo Zanon, but that fight was cancelled, and he later agreed to fight Alfredo Evangilista. It appears that Muhammad Ali has been signing 'fight contracts' all over the place, for non-refundable deposits. Then opts out, using the theme, that he's not capable of understanding the outline of the contract without an advisor or manager.
Muhammad Ali had signed a contract in March 1977 to fight Lorenzo Zanon in May 1977. 'Rocky Lorenzo Zanon was 18-2-1, and had just upset #6 WBA Heavyweight Alfredo Evangilista (14-0-1). Lorenzo Zanon (un-ranked) at the time in defeating Evangilista, got moved up to #8 in the WBA Rankings. Ali insiders, decided to opt out in fighting Lorenzo Zanon, as they considered him too slick. They cancelled the contract, and took Alfredo Evangilista instead, who was regarded as a softer opponent, though still ranked #10 by the WBA. How good was Alfredo. Well, in his bout with Lorenzo Zanon, he won only 'one' round, in losing a 'one-sided' 8-Round Decision in Espana.
I think he would have been a live underdog. Ali had lost his ability to knock anyone out, and was to lose to a 6-0-1 Leon Spinks soon after.
After 'hiding' from Duane Bobick, and taking on Alfredo Evangilista in May 1977. The Ali Team, scouted one Gerrie Coetzee in South Africa, for a possible late-1977 or early-1978 bout. And Domingo D'Elia as a potential opponent too, in Argentina. If only Eddie Machen were alive, they could have fought him in New Zealand. As Ali said, anybody but Ken Norton or Jimmy Young.
Mike Schutte was in that group,,,,,, Don't forget about me,,,,,,,Bernd August, And the Japan Heavyweight,,,,,,,'Killer' Koji Kabe (6' 0' 185 lbs.)
Bernd lost his chance when he was destroyed by Richard Dunn didn't he? :yep I can't believe Bepi Ros was never considered, maybe he would have been had he beat Schutte and August.
great thread as usual . Duce digs all d gold 4 us . 1 of d must read posters here , and a top 5 (at worst) contributor . On d league of hhascup and even more than Bukkake . And if Duce is n Ali hater start considering Ali a bigger Ali hater , because Duce thinks Ali would have beaten Bobick , while Ali , his team , Don King and myself disagree/d .
Ali would have eventually stunned Bobick ala lyle, and Duane predictably would freeze on the spot, and Ali would have flurried until the ref stopped it...and he may have even sent Bobick down.