I was only 9 years old so I didn't see the fight at the time and wasn't even into boxing, although I certainly knew who Muhammad Ali was at even a young age. For the people who saw the fight live, what were your thoughts? Anyone think Ali could have pulled off an upset, were you shocked at how much Ali had deteriorated since beating Leon Spinks? Any thoughts please.
Ali speech had slowed dramatically from the Shavers fight onwards and couldn`t even touch his nose in the medical exam before the Holmes fight, I didn`t see the fight live I don`t know if it was sceened live on British TV, I was 5 years old, Mike Tyson said he watched it live during an interview and went on to say D`Amato phoned Ali after that bout and told him he was training a young teenager who would like to speak to him, he handed the phone to a tearful Mike who said 'you don`t know who I am Ali but I`m a young amateur boxer and I`m going to get revenge for this night' years later when Tyson fought Holmes, Ali was introduced to the crowd before the fight and when he shook Tyson`s hand before their instructions, he said to Mike 'get him for me' Mike nodded, and so it was. Brilliant story I feel.
Is it just a story though cos if it's true it makes Ali look bitter and mean towards Holmes like he held a grudge against him for beating him and wished that he would get beaten up by fighters who he didn't even know? Maybe he still thought of Holmes as just his old sparring partner or maybe Tyson just made up the whole story?
Thanks Mark, but I only want firsthand accounts of people who watched the fight live in October 1980, I've seen the interview that you mentioned with Tyson.
Watched it live on CLOSED CIRCUIT tv at the time, after the first round we were just like, ahh Ali fooled around that round. But in the second it was obvious, painfully obvious he had nothing. Got suckered like many into believing that Ali coming in at a low weight meant he was serious and that maybe he had 1 more effort in him. Years later when the truth came out it became more obvious that fight should have never taken place, Dundee walked into the ring with a fighter he knew was damaged seriously. Dr. Pacheco quit years before because he knew what was up and told Dundee you'll never stop, and he was right.
I always remember how Holmes came out very fast in the first round, and Ali looked like he was clowning a bit, but you're right, by the second it was all downhill.
