Fights "won" BEFORE the fight

[Master]

Khan v Alvarez and Crawford

[Big J]

Larry Holmes vs Muhammad Ali
Ali’s medical pre-Holmes fight reported:
- A small hole/perforation in the brain
- Issues completing hand-to-nose test
- Tingling in his hands
- Slurred speech, memory issues
He was licensed & fought
Source: The Life and Crimes of Don King: The Shame of Boxing in America

[TitoFan]

I think everyone involved in that fight actually "lost"... including Holmes. He couldn't turn down the money and decided to beat up on an old man.

I recently saw the 2009 documentary "Facing Ali", and there are some sad video clips of this fight, as well as his needless two fights against Leon Spinks BEFORE fighting Holmes.

[Master]

I think everyone involved in that fight actually "lost"... including Holmes. He couldn't turn down the money and decided to beat up on an old man.

I recently saw the 2009 documentary "Facing Ali", and there are some sad video clips of this fight, as well as his needless two fights against Leon Spinks BEFORE fighting Holmes.

I am glad Ali avenged his loss against Leon Spinks.

[NoSavingByTheBell]

Worse than that -- why oh why the absolute F&^% did Ali then wait ANOTHER YEAR and then decide to do The Drama in The Bahamas? I recently watched that painful fight to watch, and holy hell did Berbick put a beating on Ali's head & body in that fight. It is horrific to watch and Berbick unlike Holmes did not pull any punches, he let him have it almost as if to say 'hey old man, f&^% you I dont care who you are/used to be, I'm gonna smash you". It is sickening but it is part of the sport and nobody forced Muhammad to do such a thing. YOU WOULD REALLY THINK WOULD YOU NOT that after getting thrashed by Larry Holmes that he would NEVER get in the ring again. Why did he fight Trevor

[Master]

Ali just could not say no. Just shows you how durable Ali was that a young hungry contender could not stop him.

[TitoFan]

In retrospect, WHEN should have Ali retired?

IMO, and with the benefit of hindsight... it should've been after Shavers.

Ali had fought "The Thrilla in Manila" two years prior to Shavers. Then he fought Ken Norton a THIRD time. Then came the murderous puncher Ernie Shavers.

Ali should've retired right then and there. WTF did he need to fight Spinks for?? Spinks was a relative nobody. Ali at even 80% of his peak self would've wiped the floor with Spinks. But he lost. Then he avenged the loss.

Then the spent shell of Ali fought Holmes in 1980, and Trevor Berbick in 1981. Stupid fights... both of them.

Holmes was a greedy bastard who was paid blood money to beat the crap out of an already sick old man.

Berbick added insult to injury.

Shame on both of these dudes! As well as the organizations that allowed the fights.