London. 1979. Muhammad Ali, considered by many to be the greatest heavyweight champion of all time, was really heavy as he announced his retirement at the Royal Albert Hall. May 29th. This content is protected .................................... Sept 26, 1980. 'Before and After.' Muhammad Ali begins serious training for his heavyweight title fight against Larry Holmes, left, at his training camp in Deer Lake, PA in March.....and right, Ali winds down training for the Oct 2nd fight while preparing in Las Vegas. This content is protected
i recall all the excitedment as Ali supposedly trained like a Fiend, did endless sit-ups-but age, too quick weight loss, & mostly those stupid diet shots did him in.
Whatever made Ali think he could be competitive against a young fast Holmes is beyond me. He couldn't crack an egg shell at this point in his career.
"He was the greatest fighter in the world," Holmes said at his postfight news conference. "He's one hell of an athlete, one hell of a man. Even trying to win a fourth title is one hell of an achievement. He had a two-year layoff and then tried to fight the baddest heavyweight in the world." http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SQiYMu-pI...893_437846203027065_8884453239812932160_n.jpg
It was ego that made him go in there with Holmes. I don't think it was even the money. He was one of those showmen/performers who was addicted to the limelight. Unfortunately, the championship boxing ring is not a stage you can go on forever.
Was it a no no to wear a t shirt when sparring back then?? I can't imagine many fighters today getting into a ring that out of shape with no shirt.
