He was not thrown in .. he pushed for the fight ... his ego could not stay retired ... his management was greedy as hell as well ...
Not sure why Muhammad Ali was thrown in with Larry Holmes,,,,,,,, there were $8,000,000 reasons why. First off, Bob Arum wanted Muhammad Ali to come back against WBA Champion John Tate,,,,,,,,,,,,,, But a 'funny thing' happened in Tennessee. Then Muhammad Ali announced he would come back and fight new WBA Champ Mike Weaver,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but Bob Arum couldn't sell that bout to Las Vegas, let alone the public. Everyone on the 'Planet Earth' knew there was only one Champion, and his name was Larry Holmes. With his fight against Larry Holmes, Muhammad Ali would get a fight purse in the range of $8,000,000.
The answer to the question on the thread - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$