Boxing timeline
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Gene Tunney Defeats Jack Dempsey in the Battle of the Long Count
The following year, Dempsey made an attempt to regain the title in a rematch that became known as the "Long Count" fight. One hundred and four... Read more
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Muhammad Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.) Is Born
Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.; January 17, 1942) is a retired American boxer and three-time World Heavyweight Champion, who is... Read more
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Muhammad Ali is pointed to boxing by police officer to channel his anger
Clay was first directed toward boxing by the white Louisville police officer and boxing coach Joe E. Martin, who encountered the 12-year-old fuming... Read more
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Muhammad Ali wins light-heavyweight gold medal at Summer Olympics
Under Stoner's guidance, Cassius Clay went on to win six Kentucky Golden Gloves titles, two national Golden Gloves titles, an Amateur Athletic... Read more
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Cassius Clay Wins First Pro Fight
After his Olympic triumph, Clay returned to Louisville to begin his professional career. There, on October 29, 1960, he won his first professional... Read more
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Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) defeats Sonny Liston for Heavyweight Title
From 1960 to 1963, the young fighter amassed a record of 19–0, with 15 knockouts. He defeated boxers such as Tony Esperti, Jim Robinson, Donnie... Read more
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Rocky Marciano is Killed in a Plane Crash
Thirty-five years ago on August 31st, 1969, at 9 PM, a light plane tried to land in bad weather at a small airport outside Newton, Iowa. The pilot,... Read more
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Due to a loophole Muhammad Ali returns to boxing to knock out Jerry Quarry
In 1970, while his case was still on appeal, Ali was allowed to fight again. With the help of a State Senator, he was granted a license to box in... Read more
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"The Fight of the Century" Joe Frazier vs Muhammad Ali
Fight of the Century was the promotional nickname given to the first boxing match between champion Joe Frazier (26-0, 23 KOs) and challenger... Read more
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Muhammad Ali defeats Joe Frazier in a rematch fight
In 1973, Ali fought Ken Norton, who broke Ali's jaw and won by split decision in 12 rounds. Ali won the rematch, also by split decision, on... Read more
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Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman Battle in the "Rumble in the Jungle"
The Rumble in the Jungle was a historic boxing event that took place on 30 October 1974, in the Mai 20 Stadium in Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic... Read more
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"Thrilla in Manila" third match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier
The Thrilla in Manila was the third and final famous boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier for the Heavyweight Boxing Championship of... Read more
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Muhammad Ali loses heavyweight title to Leon Spinks
Spinks then ranked number one among the world's heavyweight challengers. He made history on February 15, 1978, when he beat Muhammad Ali in a... Read more
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Muhammad Ali reclaims heavyweight title from Leon Spinks
In February 1978, Ali lost the heavweight title to 1976 Olympics Champion Leon Spinks. On September 15, 1978, Ali fought a rematch in the New... Read more
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Muhammad Ali announces retirement
In 1979 Ali announced his retirement, at that point having lost only three times in 59 fights, but he returned to fight World Boxing Council... Read more
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Muhammad Ali comes out of retirement
Holmes defended his title against contenders of varying quality, many quite good--Tim Witherspoon, Earnie Shavers, Bonecrusher Smith, Leon Spinks,... Read more
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Mike Tyson Becomes the Youngest Heavyweight Champion in History
On November 22, 1986, Tyson was given his first title fight against Trevor Berbick for the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight championship.... Read more
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Joe Frazier Dies
JOE FRAZIER is a country boy who lived by the old country adage that: "when you go to the big party, you dance with the one who brung ya." In... Read more