The nicknames that Muhammad Ali gave his opponents.

Richard, who lives in Scarborough, his childhood dream growing up in orphanage, will tell you that it was the happiest time of his life, the build up, the fight, the lot. Richard just wanted the fight to go on and on.

 

Fantastic, and good luck to him. Get inside the ring with Ali and you’re pretty much firmly etched in boxing history. One of the best lantern jaws you’ll ever see. I wonder what Richard got paid for the fight? I might try and check unless anyone else knows off the top.

 

I know one thing for sure if he ever faced off with “Big” James Toney he’s only gonna be able to think of one name and that’s “master” yessir

 

I seem to remember Muhammad Ali calling Ken Norton "The Crab" once. Maybe I'm confusing him with someone else? Somebody can correct me if my memory's in error, which it often is these days.

 

He got £50,000. About $200,000. An absolute fortune in those days. Sadly, Richard squandered most of it on a hotel in Scarborough at a time when cheap package holidays were taking Brits abroad for the first time in their lives.
Dunn was a scaffolder by trade and ended up working on the oil rigs in the North Sea. He had a terrible accident and had his lower leg crushed. The Doctors wanted to amputate but Richard refused to give his consent.
Told he would spend the rest of his days in a wheelchair, true to form for an ex Para, less than a year later, he was walking his Daughter up the aisle on her wedding day.

 

The same James Toney who got clowned by the homeless man's Muhammad Ali.

 

Do you not have a sarcasm radar? Or do you just lack a sense of humour?

 

It's hard to tell with you. Google Poe's Law.

 

Half of what I write is just me being a gadfly so that’s fair.

 

Thanks LG, I love reading these back stories. 200 K is a LOT of money. Unfortunately, a not so well informed business decision. . The damaged leg, the threat of amputation ONLY to overcome it all and walk his daughter down the aisle - great qualifications for the BRAVEST BOXERS thread.

 

I wouldn’t say your wrong though I only remember Norton’s manner of fighting being called crab style, dragging the back foot etc.

Wouldn’t surprise me if Ali did say it at least one time - he was also THE GREATEST name caller - he couldn’t help himself…

 

That rematch in 66 was the best I ever saw Henry fight Richard M. Who knew he had a right hand ? He was quick that night too.
Happily, he and Ali were great friends in later life, Angelo Dundee too.