Word: muhammad
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...This is the story about a man/ With iron fists and a beauItiful tan./ He talks a lot and boasts indeed/ Of a powerful punch and blinding speed." So wrote Muhammad Ali in his autobiographical verse. But when San Francisco Correspondent James Wilde went to see Ali for our cover story, the fighter did not want to elaborate on his career. Ali told Wilde...
...have a split decision," Ring Announcer Chuck 'Hull proclaimed, and absolute silence fell over the plush Las Vegas boxing emporium where Muhammad Ali and Leon Spinks had struggled through 15 lashing rounds to claim sport's most special crown. "Judge Art Lurie: 143-142, Ali. Judge Lou Tabat: 145-140, Spinks. Judge Harold Buck: 144-141." A pause, a breath in that utter stillness and then: "The new Heavyweight Champion of the World, Leon Spinks...
...fight crowd hailing a new king of the most basic sport. But the silence before the verdict had spoken too, for it anticipated the passing of a giant, a unique athlete whose skills and life had resonances far beyond the ring. As Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., Cassius X, or Muhammad Ali, he had talked from center stage, mirror and lightning rod for a tumultuous era. Olympic gold medalist, Louisville Lip, upstart champion, Black Muslim convert, draft resister, abomination, martyr, restored champion, road show...
...fought Spinks, Muhammad Ali's career, in all of its various styles, was suddenly telescoped. He talked and taunted in the early rounds, danced and threw flurries of punches just as he had years ago?though he paused on the ropes and covered up to rest. He was casually giving rounds away to Spinks, confident the pace would wear him down...
...that's right where Ali is now. He has no more worries about running from Ken Norton. He doesn't have to go looking for Alfredo Evangelistas to play around with. The rematch is just waiting, the big purse is guaranteed: Muhammad Ali will be back and he will have to fight for real if he is again to find success...