Philippines, 13 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


ALI IN JULY: A GREAT MONTH WITH IRISH ROOTS & OLYMPIC SPIRIT

PhilBoxing.com




Each month we look at Muhammad Ali’s triumphs and tribulations in that particular month. This time we examine July, a successful month for The Greatest comprising a trip to Ireland and three U.S. fights.

19 July 1972 – Alvin Lewis, Croke Park, Dublin

Result: Ali won by TKO11

After losing to Smokin’ Joe Frazier in March 1971, the famous Fight of the Century, Ali went on something of a world tour in his ‘comeback’ phase fighting 13 times in six countries before defeating Frazier in a rematch in January 1974. Dublin, Ireland was part of the tour and long-term sparring partner Alvin Lewis was the opponent in this non-title fight. On arrival, Ali captured the heart of a nation by announcing that he had Irish roots. Ali’s great-grandfather, Abe Grady, was according to research hailing from Ennis but emigrated to the United States in the 1860s. Ali ended the one-sided bout against Lewis in the 11th.

19 July 1996 – Opening Ceremony, Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games

We include this significant and symbolic July date for The Greatest. This day Ali lit the Olympic cauldron during the Opening Ceremony for the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games. He also received a replacement gold medal as he had lost the one he won in 1960 in Rome.

20 July 1962 – Alejandro Lavorante, Sports Arena, Los Angeles

Result: Cassius Clay won by KO5

Cassius Clay fought Lavorante in a ten-round fight and won the bout by knocking out the Argentinian in the fifth, just as he predicted. In this fight, Clay showed he could take a punch. Early in the second he and Lavorante traded right-hand haymakers, but Clay proved much stronger and finished the onslaught with two blazing knockdowns in the fifth. It was Clay’s 15th straight triumph as a pro and his 12th knockout – and it was regarded his greatest performance so far.

22 July 1961 – Alonzo Johnson, Freedom Hall, Louisville

Result: Clay won by a unanimous decision

Johnson gave Clay a tough fight – one judge scored it 48-47 for Clay, who was booed by the hometown fans in Louisville for the first time.

26 July 1971 – Jimmy Ellis, Astrodome, Houston

Result: Ali won by TKO12

Ellis was a sparring partner who fought on many undercards of The Greatest. Angelo Dundee was Ali’s trainer, but he was both manager and trainer for Ellis. Dundee chose – with Ali’s blessing – to work with Ellis for the fight. Ali stunned Ellis with a straight right in the fourth round: The right “hurt me so bad I couldn’t really fight my best after that,” said Ellis. “It ruined me.”

Ali in a way treated the rest of the fight as if it were a sparring session, and the referee stopped the fight in the 12th after Ali threw another big right, sending Ellis into the ropes, but he remained on his feet. The vacant NABF Heavy Title was on the line, and this was Ali’s first encounter after the Fight of the Century.


The Muhammad Ali Trophy:

The Muhammad Ali Trophy is also known as the Greatest Prize in Boxing and it is being awarded to the winner of the World Boxing Super Series.

Ali gave his blessings to the WBSS and agreed to give his name to its prize, and the trophy was created by the late world-renowned artist Silvio Gazzaniga who also designed the iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy.

Ali Trophy winners:

2019: Josh Taylor (Super-Lightweight), Nagoya Inoue (Bantamweight)

2018: Aleksandr Usyk (Cruiserweight), Callum Smith (Super Middleweight)




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Hamzah Sheeraz Demolishes Edgar Berlanga in Stunner, Becomes Mandatory Challenger to Canelo Alvarez
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson Masterfully Tames William Zepeda to Retain WBC Lightweight Crown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Score KO Wins in Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Yanon is PBF flyweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin’s “Mayhem in Music City 2” to Feature Undefeated Vic Hernandez Facing Jayvon Garnett for NABA & Jr. NABF Featherweight Championships
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.