WeeklySA_AdminAMAZING COMPETITOR: A list of the finest performances this legendary sportsman bestowed upon fans of The Sweet Science
By Sports Reporter
When Muhammad Ali died in June of 2016, the tributes and remembrances came thick and fast and it was gratifying for those who revere Ali to witness the outpouring of love and respect from all corners of the globe.
Do we need a special occasion to pay tribute to arguably the most popular and influential prizefighter of all-time? Is there ever a bad time to recall the ring greatness of “The Greatest”? We think not. These are some of the ring performances which best testify to his multifaceted greatness.
- Ken Norton W15, Sept. 28, 1976: This fight stands out in Ali’s pantheon for his noble performance in the bout’s second half, an impressive display of guts and guile no matter one’s opinion of the final verdict. Behind on points against a determined foe who appeared far fresher and stronger, the 34-year-old champion, clearly in sub-par condition after having suffered a serious leg injury in his farcical contest against Antonio Inoki three months before, proved his mettle yet again as he out-dueled the always dangerous Norton in most of the championship rounds, including the pivotal final stanza.
- George Chuvalo W15, March 29, 1966: An impressive fifteen round clinic against an iron-tough battler who had earned his title shot with a win over crafty veteran Doug Jones and highly competitive battles against Zora Folley, Ernie Terrell and Floyd Patterson. Chuvalo had more success than any of the champion’s previous opponents in terms of landing some heavy artillery to the body and yet it slowed Ali down not a bit as “The Greatest” won at least eleven rounds, in the process demonstrating astonishing speed and stamina.
- Oscar Bonavena TKO 15, Dec. 7, 1970: Returning to action after a three-and-a-half year layoff, Ali took no tune-ups or soft touches but instead immediately faced the top contenders in the division. Despite no longer having the spry legs of his younger self, and the fact he was still working off some serious ring rust, Ali clearly took at least ten rounds from the Argentinian before becoming the first to ever stop “Ringo” when he floored him three times in the final round.
The one and only time Bonavena didn’t last the distance.
- Earnie Shavers W15, Sept. 29, 1977: Another heroic performance in the twilight of Ali’s career. It took everything “The Greatest” had to turn back the challenge of Shavers, perhaps the hardest puncher in heavyweight history, a fighter who wasn’t supposed to be in the champion’s class. But the man Ali dubbed “The Acorn” proved he belonged by giving “The Louisville Lip” an extremely tough battle and hurting him more than once with vicious right hands. Fearing his title was slipping from his grasp, Ali, ever the dauntless competitor, went toe-to-toe with Shavers in the final round, staggering him in the last seconds with a gritty, two-fisted attack.
- Ken Norton W12, Sept. 10, 1973: Norton was a most formidable heavyweight and this may well have been the finest performance of his career, as he gave a superbly conditioned Muhammad Ali one of the toughest and most competitive battles of his. Having suffered an upset defeat to Norton six months before, no win was more crucial for Ali’s career and it took all of his skill and determination, plus a desperate final round rally, to pull out the split decision victory.
- Joe Frazier L15, March 8, 1971: While ardent fans of “The Greatest” were crestfallen after he dropped a fifteen round decision to a relentless and unyielding Joe Frazier in what is, arguably, the biggest prizefight of all-time, they could take comfort from the fact that rarely had a champion fought so nobly in defeat to a fellow Hall of Famer. Ali withstood an amazing performance from Smokin’ Joe, absorbing Frazier’s best punches while winning his share of rounds, never giving up, and rising from a final round knockdown to battle back and land his own flurries before the bell.
- Joe Frazier TKO14, Oct. 1, 1975: Fueled by rage borne from a hundred cruel insults, Joe Frazier imposed his will on Ali in the middle rounds of this brutal war, trapping his quarry on the ropes and punishing him with vicious blows that Frazier himself would later say could have “brought down the walls of a city.” Spent and hurting, Ali journeyed to a realm beyond human endurance to somehow reassert himself and batter Frazier in the late going, forcing the challenger’s trainer, Eddie Futch, to surrender before the start of round fifteen. A truly remarkable demonstration of stamina, will, resilience and courage.
- Sonny Liston TKO7, Feb. 25, 1964: One of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Liston was viewed as unbeatable, Cassius Clay his next victim. Instead, the sporting world was shook up that night by one of the greatest exhibitions of boxing skill ever put on by a heavyweight, as Clay danced with swift fluidity and grace, evading Liston’s power shots and countering with perfectly timed jabs and straight rights. Make no mistake: Liston was deadly and dangerous, but the fighter soon to be known as Muhammad Ali took him to boxing school and rendered him helpless.
- George Foreman KO8, Oct. 30, 1974: Foreman’s status as an all-time great heavyweight has only grown in the decades since he was first champion, but even back in 1974 few thought Ali had enough left to best the man who had demolished Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in fewer than two rounds apiece.
But an inspired and determined Ali journeyed to the heart of Africa to put on a veritable clinic in advanced boxing technique. Using every trick in the book, the challenger controlled the pace and distance of the fight, countered with precision, repeatedly beat Foreman to the punch while blocking or slipping George’s heaviest blows, and then capped his astonishing performance with a one-punch knockout.
With a massive crowd of Africans chanting Ali Bomaye!, it was night unlike any other in boxing history; how befitting that it would also be the single finest exhibition of the ring greatness of Muhammad Ali. — Michael Carbert
Sports:
Briefs
URBAN WARRIORS ARE BACK
In what was a valiant effort from Cape Town Spurs this season, the Urban Warriors have now secured their spot in next season’s DStv Premiership campaign.
With the PSL promotion play-offs coming to a close, the Urban Warriors and Maritzburg United recorded a 0-0 draw at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday night.
Needing just a point from the game to gain promotion, Spurs fought hard amid hostile conditions on and off the pitch. In warding off numerous attempts at goal throughout the second half, the Urban Warriors held on to bag the all important point on the road.
SIYA ON THE MEND
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi remains on track to be fit for the team’s Rugby World Cup defence, but the outlook is rather grim for utility back Frans Steyn.
Speaking at Wednesday’s press briefing in Pretoria, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber said their captain, who’ll have his lieutenants filling in for him in the Rugby Championship, is meeting all his targets in his recovery from a knee injury.
The same couldn’t be said of Steyn, with Nienaber saying the double World Cup-winning utility back is still at an unclear stage of his rehabilitation. “Siya’s hitting all of his targets that are set out for him, so he is on track,” Nienaber said.
TYSON-HOLYFIELD PART THREE
Evander Holyfield still open to exhibition with Mike Tyson at combined age of 116 but makes strict rules for trilogy – so long as there is no real fight involved.
The heavyweight legends shared one of boxing’s most iconic rivalries in the 1990s, with Holyfield twice winning. He stopped Tyson in an upset in 1996 before having his ear bitten into a year later with the rematch ending in a disgraceful disqualification. But the pair have patched things up and even talked about fighting once more in a trilogy.
And Holyfield has not totally ruled out the cash grab idea – but does not want to fight his old rival for real. He told SunSport in Florida: “Well, if we do fine. My whole thing is it’s not all about me, it’s about both of us.
BONGI IN HAMMARSDALE
Proteas captain Bongi Msomi was back in her home town Hammarsdale in KwaZulu-Natal, where she continued to inspire young netball players.
Msomi spent time at Emaxulwini Primary School hosting a netball clinic as the excitement for the Netball World Cup builds ahead of the July tournament. Msomi shared her knowledge and skills with approximately 80 aspiring netball players, where she took them through simple drills and exercises meant to develop and improve their talents
“As a teenager, I had little interest in netball. I never pictured myself playing netball professionally or better yet for the national team. However, one training session in high school changed my life for the better,” said Msomi.
SA “A” TOP ORDER
CRUMBLES AGAIN
South Africa A slumped to a 160-run defeat to Sri Lanka A in the first unofficial Test in Kandy on Wednesday. The tourists had done well to dismiss the hosts for 151 in their second innings with Senuran Muthusamy (5/53) claiming his second five-wicket haul of the match. The left-arm spinner finished with career-best match figures of 12/175.
This left the tourists a victory target of 346, but that proved a bridge too far as the top order once again could not lay a platform.
All the batters were able to get into double figures, but nobody was able to post anything substantial as SA A collapsed to 185 all out.
Keegan Petersen and Muthusamy’s 29 were the highest scores of the second innings. It was a trial by spin, as the South Africans fell to Lakshitha Manasinghe (2/36), Lasith Embuldeniya (2/36) and Ramesh Mendis (2/50).
SA A suffered a calamity when wicket-keeper Sinethemba Qeshile was run out for 23, just when he appeared well set. Tristan Stubbs was not able to bat in the second innings due to an injury.
Published on the 103rd Edition
