TBG Sunday Night Book Review: Johnny Risko: The Cleveland Rubber Man

The Boxing Glove Book Review: By Peter Silkov

"Johnny Risko: The Cleveland Rubber Man" By Jerry Fitch

There is a misconception in some modern boxing fans minds that the value of a fighters ability can be weighed up simply by a quick check of the number of wins and losses upon his record. Many fighters today tread carefully around their most talented and dangerous rivals for fear of what a defeat might do to their record. Of course, there are still exceptions to the rule, for instance recently crowned World lightweight champion, Tevin Farmer, was 7-4-1 in his first 12 professional contests, yet has developed into a genuine world-class champion. Yet the fact that Farmer is such a rarity in today's era, serves to prove the point that for modern day boxing keeping that undefeated '0' is all important to most fighter's managers and promoters.

The examples of fighters learning their trade as much through defeats, as they do victories, have become rarer and rarer in the modern boxing landscape.

It was very different in the past when there were far more fighters, far fewer titles, and the best fighters invariably fought their toughest rivals on a regular basis. Indeed in those days, most fighters wanted to fight the toughest opposition available, as they knew that this was the only route for reaching the top of the sport.

The name of Johnny Risko might not be familiar to many of today's fans, but back in what is often now referred to as boxing's 'golden age', 1920 to 1950, Risko was a great example of a fighter who fought regularly and almost exclusively against top-notch rivals. A look at Johnny Risko's final career tally of 68-46-6 (22koes) might provoke some to dismiss Risko as a mediocre also ran in the annals of boxing history. Like many fighters of his era, the bare numbers of Risko's boxing record fail to tell the story of his career, or his ability as a fighter.

However, for the intrepid boxing fan who likes his boxing history, Johnny Risko has now been brought back to life by boxing writer and historian, Jerry Fitch.

Jerry Fitch does a great job of telling the story of Johnny Risko's life and boxing career in his book "Johnny Risko: The Cleveland Rubber Man."

Born Mesto Bohunico, on December 18, 1902, in what is now part of Slovakia, but was then the Austria-Hungarian empire, Johnny and his family immigrated to America in 1908 when he was just 6 years old.

After settling in Cleveland, Ohio, Johnny's parents opened a bakery, where Johnny himself would work. Johnny was soon finding that he had a talent with his hands beyond using them in the bakery when he started using them in the ring and regularly knocking out his opponents as an amateur. As an amateur boxer, Bohunico, with his new Americanized name, won 39 of 59 contests via a knockout and became something of a sensation in his adopted home town of Ohio.

Risko turned professional in 1922, not long after the overturning of a ban on professional boxing in Cleveland. In a career which lasted until 1940, Risko would fight the cream of the light-heavyweights and heavyweights of the '20s and '30s. Short and stocky, at 5' 11" and between 190 and 210 pounds, Risko was to gain notoriety for his toughness and heart inside the ring.

Originally nicknamed 'The Baker Boy' Risko was soon being called 'The Cleveland Rubber Man' due to the impression he made of having punches simply bounce off him. Risko was an aggressive infighter, who relied very much upon his left-hand after an injury to his right shoulder early in his professional career rendered him almost a one-armed fighter. Indeed, when you learn about Risko's early career injury, that robbed him of the knockout punch in his right hand, the fact that he went on to achieve what he did in his career becomes even more impressive. Shorn of his powerful right-hand punch, Risko became a relentlessly aggressive infighter, who relied upon his work rate and toughness to outwork and outlast his opponents.

The list of Risko's opponents is impressive indeed, including, Young Stribling, Mike Mctigue, Gene Tunney, Jack Renault, Jack Sharkey, Jack Delaney, Tommy Loughran, Jimmy Slattery, Lou Scozza, Paulino Uzcudun, George Godfrey, Tuff Griffiths, Mickey Walker, Max Baer, King Levinsky, Bob Olin, Max Schmeling, and John Henry Lewis. Looking at the names on Risko's record, it becomes hardly surprising that he experienced a number of reverses. Yet, he also scored his fair share of impressive victories and was world rated amongst the top heavyweights for several years.

Jerry Fitch has done a meticulous job in bringing Johnny Risko's life and career alive. This book is nicely equipped with quotes from newspaper articles of the time, as well as a number of round-by-round commentaries upon some of Risko's most important fights. These commentaries, which have been taken from the newspaper archives of "The Cleveland Plain Dealer", give the reader the impression that he is going back in time and witnessing the fight himself. It is a unique way to appreciate Risko as a fighter and indeed appreciate his opponents.

'The Cleveland Rubber Man' never fought for a world title, yet this shortfall says more about the intensity of competition in his era rather than any shortcomings in his ability.

"Johnny Risko: The Cleveland Rubber Man" doesn't just shed light upon the life and career of Risko himself, it also gives the reader a nice insight into the era in which he fought and his many outstanding opponents. There are also a good helping of classic photos throughout the book, and Risko's boxing record is provided in the back of this biography.

Jerry Fitch has devoted himself to highlighting the boxing history of Cleveland Ohio, and after a previous book on Jimmy Bivins, he has highlighted yet another fighter whose life and boxing career deserves to be told and remembered.

If you would like to purchase this book it is available on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Risko-Cleveland-Rubber-Man/dp/0954392485

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On This Day: Kid Tunero Remembered

By Peter Silkov

Kid Tunero was a brilliant boxer-puncher, in the true Cuban mould. Born, Evelio Celestino Mustelier, on May 19, 1910, in Victoria de las Tunas, Cuba, Tunero turned professional in 1929, aged 19 years of age. Tunero would be one of the outstanding middleweights of the 30s and 40s, but found himself avoided by many of the top white contenders, with his colour often being used as an excuse, but quite often it was really his ability that frightened away a lot of possible opponents.

Although he had this obstacle throughout his career, Kid Tunero would still manage to fight an impressive array of fighters during his career, many of them were suffering from the same prejudices and political intrigues as Tunero himself. Some of the top fighters whom he met during his career include Marcel Thil, Gustave Roth, Erich Seelig, Jock McAvoy, Anton Christoforidis, Ken Overlin, Holman Williams, Ezzard Charles, and Jean Stock. For much of his career Tunero fought in Europe, where he was extremely popular with the European boxing fans.

Despite the politics of the times, Tunero did manage to receive two shots at the World middleweight title. This happened at least partly due to Tunero’s popularity with the fans, and partly due to the fact that the champion who Tunero met on both occasions, Marcel Thil, was the kind of fighter who didn’t duck anybody.

Tunero actually fought Thil three times. In their first meeting on January 16, 1933, Thil’s NBA and IBU world middleweight title was not on the line, as both men weighed over the middleweight limit. This was just as well for Thil, as Tunero beat him on points, over 12 rounds. Nine months later the two met again, and this time with the world title at stake, and Thil won on points, after 15 rounds.

Tunero gained his second and final shot at the world title on July 13, 1935, with Thil once more out-pointing him over 15 rugged rounds. Tunero would continue to fight at the top level for the remainder of his career, always winning more than he lost, until the last few years of his fighting career. In his last official contest, on August 14, 1948, Hankin Barrows held Tunero to a draw over 10 rounds. H e retired with a final official record of 96(34koes)-32-16.

After his fighting career ended, Tunero became a boxing trainer, and amongst the fighters he trianed were Jose Legra and Angel ’Robinson’ Garcia. Tunero died on October 6. 1992, aged 82.

If you are an boxer, amateur or professional, and want us to follow you or tell your story, contact petersilkov@yahoo.com   or theboxingglove@yahoo.com

If you are an author and you would like your book reviewed, contact Peter Silkov at petersilkov@yahoo.com or theboxingglove@yahoo.com

, contact Peter Silkov at petersilkov@yahoo.com or theboxingglove@yahoo.com

On This Day: Al McCoy Remembered

Al McCoy was a good all-round boxer with a decent punch, and a southpaw style, which made him a tough match for anyone. McCoy was born Alexander Rudolph on October 23, 1894, in Woodbine, New Jersey. The second of nine children, Rudolph left home at the age of 14 to begin his boxing career after being forbidden to box by his father. McCoy would be managed by a number of colourful figures during his career, including A.I. Randolph, T.Brennan, Jack Daugherty, Dan Morgan and Leo Flynn. For most of his professional career McCoy was trained by Charley Goldman, an ex-fighter himself, who would later train Rocky Marciano to the heavyweight title.

Through his career, McCoy faced an impressive array of the top middleweights and light-heavyweight’s of the 1900s and 1910s, fighters such as Young Otto, Willie Fitzgerald, Gus Christie, Wild Cat Ferns, Soldier Bartfield, Willie ‘Ko’ Brennan, Zulu Kid, Mike Gibbons, George Chip, Willie Lewis, Italian Joe Gans, Young Ahearn, Jack Dillon, Harry Greb, Mike O’Dowd, and Leo Houck. However, McCoy’s career was marked by the high number of no-decision fights that he took part in, and for this reason, never truly gained the credit that he should have for his accomplishments.

McCoy won the World middleweight title on April 7, 1914, with a surprising 1^st round knockout over the favoured George Chip. McCoy would hold the world title until November 14, 1917, when he was knocked out in 6 rounds by Mike O’Dowd. He was not a popular champion due to his taking part in a lot of no-decision fights during his reign. He was also adjudged to have lost quite a few of these no decision contests, but held onto his middleweight title as he could only be dethroned if he was stopped inside the distance. In April, 30, 1917, McCoy had fought a no-decision contest with Harry Greb, with both men under the middleweight limit, and had been badly beaten and out-classed by Greb, yet held onto his title because he lasted the 10 round distance.

Al McCoy retired in 1924, his final record is disputed, Box Rec has his verified record as being (31-13-6, 27koes) while the late Nat Fleischer compiled a (50-5-7, 28koes) (plus 82 no decisions) record for McCoy. It is known that he is said to have taken part in many fights which have yet to be verified.

After retiring from boxing, McCoy would try acting in Los Angeles. He would have a role in the movie “The Bowery.” He would also work in boxing promotions. The later part of Al McCoy's life was a series of unfortunate events, which started when he lost everything in a fire, then plagued by health problems he was placed in a nursing home.

Al McCoy died on August 22, 1966, at the age of 71, in Los Angeles. 

Copyright © 2017 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com 

On This Day: Frankie Conley Remembered

By Frankie Conley

Frankie Conley was a strong and durable fighter, who fought many of the worlds top bantamweights during his career. Born Francesco Conte on April 21, 1890, in Platania, Calabria, Italy, Conley came with his family to live in America while still a child, settling in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Conley’s boxing career started in 1905 and became known as the 'Iron Man' of Kenosha. His ability to take a beating and punishment in a fight was renowned. and during his career, he faced fighters such as Chuck Larson, Willie Gardner, Johnny King, Ad Wolgast (Conley faced the future world lightweight champion three times) Charley White, Pete Savoy, Frankie White, Danny Webster, Monte Attell, Joe Mandot, Abe Attell, Johnny Coulon, Joe Coster, Patsy Kline, Johnny Kilbane, Mexican Joe Rivers, Johnny Dundee, Ernest Lucien, Benny Chavez, Benny Kaufman, Owen Moran, and Alvie Miller.

On February 22, 1910, Conley gained some recognition as World bantamweight champion after he stopped Monte Attell in 42 rounds, to win the ‘McCarey' Diamond Belt World bantamweight championship. Conley retained this recognition until February 26, 1911, when he was beaten on a point's decision after 20 rounds, by Johnny Coulon. (Coulon was already recognised as the World bantamweight champion before this fight and would soon establish himself as the undisputed champion.) Johnny Coulon would comment years later on the constant head-butting by Conley "I had a tooth longer than the others, and as sharp as a tiger's fang. I must've made 20 holes in Conley's head before he quit butting."

Frankie Conley carried on fighting until 1923, having his last contest against Billy Kautz, who beat Conley on a 4^th round stoppage after Frankie retired in his corner with a broken hand. Conley’s final record was (34-15-11, 16koes) though like many boxers of his era he is likely to have had many other fighters, which have gone unrecorded.

Copyright © 2017 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com

On This Day: Robert 'Pikin' Quiroda Remembered

By Peter Silkov 

Robert ‘Pikin’ Quiroga was an all-action fighter, with tremendous heart and drive, in the ring. Every fight Quiroga was in was action-packed, and he was a great example of how some of boxing's most exciting fighters are to be found in the sports lowest weight divisions.

Born on October 10, 1069, in San Antonio, Texas, Quiroga began his professional career in 1987, and quickly rose up the rankings. On July 7, 1989, ‘Pikin’ won the vacant WBC Continental Americas Super-flyweight title, when he out-pointed Joey Olivo over 12 rounds. Five months later, he added the USBA Super-flyweight title to his collection, by out-pointing Ray Medel.

In his next fight on April 21, 1990, Quiroga won the IBF world Super-flyweight title, by out-pointing Juan Polo Perez over 12 rounds.

Quiroga’s reign as world champion saw him make 5 successful defences, including his defence on June 15, 1991, against Akeem Anifowoshe, which he won on points after a thrilling and brutal match, which was later voted fight of the year for 1991, by ‘The Ring’ magazine. Sadly both Quiroga and Anifowoshe were destined for tragic fates.

‘Pikin’ lost his IBF World Super-flyweight title in his 6^th defence on January 16, 1993, when he was stopped in the 12^th round by Julio Cesar Borboa.

The hard fights had caught up with Quiroga, and he would fight just once more, two years after losing his world title he faced Ancee Gedeon, and was beaten on points after 8 rounds. Quiroga then retired with a final record of (20-2, 11koes.)

After his retirement, Robert would go on to become well-known in the San Antonio area for his helping handicapped and troubled children. In 2002, he was inducted into the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, Robert Quiroga life was cut short, when he died on August 16, 2004, in San Antonio, when he was stabbed to death outside a friend’s house during a party. He was 34 years old.


Watch Robert Quiroga Vs. Akeem Anifowoshe:

There is an effort in San Antonio, Texas, to have a statue of Robert Quiroda erected in the community that he was honored to be a part of, if you would like to help, please follow the link. The following information is from the Robert Quiroda website:


Robert's boxing career included the following accomplishments:

• 1st American to win the I.B.F Super flyweight Championship
• Ring Magazines 1991 Fight of the Year
• Ring Magazines TOP 10 Fights of 1990
• Ring Magazines 100 Greatest Title Fights of All Time
• Member of the San Antonio National Hispanic Sports Hall of Fame
• Member of the San Antonio Boxing Hall of Fame
• Member of the Laredo Sports Hall of Fame
• Member of the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame

Erect a Statue for Robert Quiroda



 Copyright © 2017 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com

Muhammad Ali’s 15 Greatest Fights

By Peter Silkov 

Few will argue that Muhammad Ali was the greatest heavyweight world champion of all time. There were a number of things, which made him ‘The Greatest.’ In his fighting youth, he had blinding speed, the kind that has never been seen before or since in a heavyweight. Some other heavyweight champions were fast, Larry Holmes for example, but none had the sheer speed of the young Ali. On top of this, Ali had deceptive strength, and carried a better punch than he is usually credited for having.  Later in his career, when his speed and reflexes had dimmed, Ali had to rely much more on his physical strength, a great chin (again another aspect which is often overlooked with Ali) and a steely willpower. In his declining years as a fighter these attributes were able to get him victories against fighters who were younger, fresher, and physically superior to him. The fact that Ali dominated the heavyweight division during a time when it was at its most talented and competitive, is the underlying testament to his greatness. His greatest moments during the 70s came largely when he had already passed his athletic peak by some way. Looking at Ali’s career its fair to say that he was in more ‘classic’ matches than just about any other heavyweight champion, again, just one more reason why he can claim the mantle of ‘The Greatest.’  Here is my top 15, greatest fights of ‘The Greatest.’  They have been chosen for a number of reasons. Some were simply great fights; others were great performances by Ali rather than great competitive fights.  Part of Ali’s magic was that he could make the most mundane contest compelling, just as a great film star can lift a film from the mediocre to something special. From the beginning to the end of his career, whenever Ali entered the ring you were bound to see something out of the ordinary. 

1. Muhammad Ali Vs George Foreman:  Oct 30, 1974, Stade du 20 Mai, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of The Congo.

In his greatest achievement in the ring, Muhammad Ali regained the World heavyweight title by out-lasting and out-psyching George Foreman. Just as he had against Sonny Liston ten years previously, Ali entered the ring a heavy underdog against a champion believed by many to be invincible. While he had been perceived as a fragile youngster against Liston, against Foreman Ali was considered to be too old and past his prime, to beat the destroyer which was Foreman.  Yet again, Ali proved everyone wrong. With his rope-a-dope, tremendous will power, and almost superhuman durability on this night, Ali allowed Foreman to punch himself out, before coming back to knock out an exhausted Foreman in the 8th round.   

2. Muhammad Ali Vs Cleveland Williams:  November 14, 1966, Astrodome, Houston, Texas.

Making the 7th defence of his World heavyweight title during his first title reign, Muhammad Ali produced a display against big-punching Cleveland Williams, which many today perceive, as his masterpiece. Ali was like a cruel artist in this fight, as he mixed his blinding speed with destructive punching power, with spectacular results.  Williams was floored 3 times in the 2nd round, then again in the 3rd, before the slaughter was ended.  This mix of speed and power gave us an indication of the kind of fighter Ali would have developed into if he hadn’t been banned from boxing a few months later in 1967, due to his refusal to fight in Vietnam. 

This was also the fight where Ali used the ‘Ali shuffle’ for the first time.

3. Muhammad Ali Vs Sonny Liston 1:  February 25, 1964, Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida.

In a fight that was named ‘Fight of The Year’ by The Ring magazine, and later 'Fight of Decade', and 'Upset of The Decade', Muhammad Ali won the World heavyweight title, in one of the rings biggest upsets. In just his 20th professional contest, Muhammad Ali (then named Cassius Clay) stepped into the ring a huge underdog against the feared champion, Sonny Liston. The 22-year old challenger was expected by many to be blown out of the ring by Liston, but instead, Ali stunned the boxing world with a sensational display. Liston was out-boxed and then out-punched, and finally retired after the 6th round. After the fight, Ali declared to the shocked media at ringside “I am the Greatest! I shook up the world!” 

After this fight, the new champion changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali, and announced that he had converted to the Nation of Islam. It was the start of what would be a legendary reign.  

4. Muhammad Ali Vs Joe Frazier 3:  October 1, 1975, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. 

This was Muhammad Ali’s 4th defence of the world title, in his second reign, and nicknamed ‘The Thriller in Manila’ this fight pitted Ali against his archival Joe Frazier for the 3rd and final time. Hailed by many as the perhaps the greatest heavyweight fight of all time, this was a savage contest, which saw both men standing toe-to-toe and ripping merciless punches at each other. While neither man was the athlete that he was in their first contest, with both men a little heavier, and a little slower than in 1971, for sheer non-stop action, courage and intensity this fight has never been surpassed.  After starting fast and confidently, believing that he was in for an easy night with Frazier, Ali tired, and the fight became a battle of endurance and wills, until the 13th and 14th rounds, when Ali suddenly found a new reservoir of energy and battered Frazier round the ring, forcing trainer Eddie Futch to pull Frazier out before the 15th and final round.  Ali was never the same fighter after this match, and after the match, described it as being ‘the closest thing to dying’ he had ever experienced. 

5. Muhammad Ali Vs Joe Frazier 1:  March 8, 1971,  Madison Square Garden, New York, New York. 

This match was called the ‘Fight of The Century’ and was one of the most eagerly awaited fights in boxing history. Ali was having just his 3rd fight in nearly 4 years after being banned from boxing for 3 years due to his refusal to enter the Viet Nam war. In Ali’s absence, Frazier had won the vacant world title, and Ali was desperate to reclaim it as his own. The fight had been built up even further by the needle between the two men, which had intensified during the matches’ build up.

The fight itself was the epic contest, which had been expected, with both men fighting at a pace and intensity that seemed almost superhuman at times. Ali showed the marks of his 3 years out of the ring, as he struggled to find his previous form, and flagged after the first 6 rounds. Yet despite his tiredness in the face of Frazier’s incessant attacks, Ali displayed a fortitude, and courage that he had never needed to call on before, standing with Frazier and fighting back. In the 15th and final round, Ali was floored by Frazier, yet got up, with his jaw swollen, and managed to fight it out to the end of the round. This was Ali’s first defeat as a professional, yet in an ironic twist, his valiant effort in losing served only to enhance his popularity. For Frazier, this was to be his greatest night and his greatest victory, yet he paid a heavy physical price for his win, and had to spend several weeks in hospital recovering. 

For many, the first and third fights between Ali and Frazier, are the greatest heavyweight fights of all time. 

6.  Muhammad Ali Vs Ernie Terrell:  February 6, 1967,  Astrodome, Houston, Texas.

In what was his second to last contest before his infamous ‘exile’ from boxing, Muhammad Ali made the 8th defence of his title against the hulking Ernie Terrell. Ali gave a beautiful exhibition of his boxing skills against the awkward and rangy Terrell, showing the kind of speed and reflexes never seen before from a heavyweight champion, either previously, or since. This was a grudge fight, as Terrell had tried to out-psyche Ali by continually calling him by his ‘slave name’ Cassius Clay. However, this ploy backfired badly on Terrell, as Ali gave him a slow and punishing boxing lesson. Terrell was the holder of the WBA version of the heavyweight title, but from the first bell it was clear who the real world champion was out of the two of them.  The fight went the full 15 rounds, even though it looked as if Ali could have stopped Terrell inside the distance, had he wanted.

7. Muhammad Ali Vs Ken Norton 1:  March 31, 1973, Sports Arena, San Diego, California.

Now an ex-world champion, after his loss to Joe Frazier in their first fight, Ali entered this match with Norton while in the midst of a campaign to gain another shot at the world title, and overlooked the then unknown Norton. Ali entered the ring wearing a robe that had been given to him by Elvis Presley, which had ‘The People's Champion’ embroidered on the back of it. He also weighed a heavy 221 pounds.

From the beginning, Ali found Norton’s crab-like style tough to break, and his long jabs tough to avoid. Added to this, Ali had his jaw broken, perhaps as early as the second round. Lacking the old energy and bounce in his legs, and in constant pain from his jaw, Ali once more showed great courage, despite going down to his second professional defeat. After a dramatic contest, Norton won a split 12 rounds point's decision.  He also won Ali’s NABF heavyweight title.

After this fight many people wrote Ali off as a top-flight fighter, but of course he would return.

8. Muhammad Ali Vs Ernie Shavers:  September 29th, 1977,  Madison Square Garden, New York, New York. 

Deep into his second reign as world champion, Ali made his 10th defence against the huge-punching Ernie Shavers. By this point in his career Ali had little left in the tank, and Shavers was one the biggest punchers in the heavyweight division.  Yet, Ali won this fight with a mixture of guile and courage, allied with his remaining boxing skills, and still formidable durability. This fight is at times painful to watch, as Ali takes punches that he would have avoided a few years previously. It is also a testament to Ali’s greatness, that he was able to retain his title against such a dangerous challenger, at this point in his career. Ali won on points after 15 often hard fought rounds.  Despite his decline as a fighter, it was Ali who finished the fight the stronger man, and at times looked like he could even stop Shavers in the last round.

9. Muhammad Ali Vs Oscar Bonavena:  December 7th, 1970, Madison Square Garden, New York, New York.

In what was his second comeback fight since his 3 year ‘exile’ from boxing, Muhammad Ali took on the strong, and aggressive, Oscar Bonavena. Ali had boxed barely 3 rounds in his previous comeback contest when he stopped Jerry Quarry on cuts, and the rust of almost 4 years of inactivity showed clearly in this fight. Ali was no longer the fleet-footed boxer he had been in the 60s before his exile. He was flat-footed and his reactions and reflexes were considerably slower. This was the fight, that clearly showed  the price that Ali had paid for his ban from boxing. Rather than being able to out-box Bonavena, Ali was forced to go toe-to-toe with him as he was dragged into a brawl. The fight developed into a hard fought contest with both men exchanging big shots, and Ali showing for the first time that he could still beat top fighters even though he had lost much of his old speed and skills. After being hurt several times in the fight, and taking more punches than he ever took in the past, Ali roared back in the 15th and final round to floor Bonavena 3 times and score a technical knockout victory. This was the first and only time that the rock-chinned Bonavena was stopped in his 68 fight boxing career.

Ali would improve in later fights as he got rid of his ring rust, but he would never again be the boxer that he had been before his exile.

10.  Muhammad Ali Vs Ken Norton 2:  September 10, 1973.  Forum, Inglewood, California.

Six months after their first contest, Ali and Norton met for a second time. This time Ali was in prime condition, weighing 9 pounds less than he did in the first fight, and armed with a grim determination to avenge his previous defeat to Norton. Once again it was a very tough fight, with Ali starting fast, and showing a lot of his old speed in the early rounds, but then fading after the first 6 rounds. After Norton took over in the middle rounds, Ali staged a strong finish in the last two rounds to capture a split, 12 rounds point's decision victory. Ali would fight Norton once more in 1976, and win again via a split decision. All three Ali Vs Norton fights were close and for some, controversial decisions.   

 

11.  Muhammad Ali vs George Chuvalo 1:  March 29, 1966, Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 

In what was the third defence of his first reign as world champion, Ali was taken the 15 rounds distance for the first time in his career, as he beat Canadian iron man, George Chuvalo, on points. Although for most of the fight, Ali out-boxed Chuvalo with ease, he could not stop or floor Chuvalo. The match was one-sided yet entertaining, as Chuvalo bravely kept the pressure on Ali and landed more punches than previous opponents. Ali showed his speed and reflexes, but he also displayed his strength and durability, as he at times chose to go toe to toe with Chuvalo. This fight answered many critics who had doubted whether Ali could fight at his fast pace for a full 15 rounds.

12. Muhammad Ali Vs Henry Cooper 1:  June 18th, 1963, Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London. 

This was Ali’s last fight before he challenged Sonny Liston for the World heavyweight title. Facing the determined British champion, Henry Cooper, Ali  (who was still calling himself Cassius Clay at this point.) Ali toyed with Cooper for much of this fight, cutting him badly in the 3rd round, but then near the end of the 4th, a Cooper left-hook caught Ali and dropped him to the canvas by the ropes. Ali beat the count, but was visibly groggy, only to be saved by the bell. When the bell rang for the 5th the crowd was in uproar, believing that Cooper was on verge of a huge upset win over the young sensation. However Ali showed his tremendous powers of recuperation, and launched a vicious assault upon Cooper, sending several punches into the already badly cut Cooper left eye, until it was pouring blood all over the ring.   With Cooper blinded by his own blood and on the verge of being defenceless, the referee was left with little choice but to stop the fight in Ali’s favour, giving Ali a 5th round TKO win. Prior to the fight Ali had predicted that he would beat Cooper in 5 rounds.  

13. Muhammad Ali Vs Karl Mildenberger:  September 10, 1966, Wladstadion, Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany.

Making the 6th defence of his world title, in his first reign, Ali found the tough and clever Mildenberger to be a tricky opponent. The German was the first southpaw to challenge for the World heavyweight title, and made good use of his awkward stance.  Ali, who was approaching his physical peak at this point, showed an impressive mix of speed and physical strength and slowly broke down his determined challenger.  Mildenberger was floored in the 5th, 8th and 10th rounds, and the referee finally stopped the contest in the 12th round to save the German from further punishment.

14. Muhammad Ali Vs Zora Folley: March 22, 1967, Madison Square Garden, New York, New York. 

In what was to be his final fight before he was stripped of his world title and banned from boxing for over 3 years, Muhammad Ali made the 9th defence of his world title against the clever and experienced Zora Folley. Having been carefully avoided by previous world champions, Folley tried to make the most of his chance against Ali, and started their fight well, landing some good right hands on Ali, while also making Ali miss with his own punches. Yet the champion was taking his time rather than struggling, and when he opened up in the 3rd round, his superiority in strength and speed was visible. In the 4th round, Ali floored Folley heavily and the challenger barely beat the count. After playing a bit more with his challenger in the 5th, Ali finished things in the 6th round with two short rights. This fight showed Ali becoming increasingly stronger as he matured, and this rare mix of speed and power already had people comparing him to the all time heavyweight greats of the past.

15. Muhammad Ali Vs Doug Jones:  March 13, 1963, Madison Square Garden, New York, New York.

Having just his 18th professional contest, Ali faced the toughest opponent of his career so far in the tough and experienced Doug Jones. In a fight, which was one of the toughest of his career, Ali found Jones to be a very tough nut to crack. Ali was caught and rocked by Jones several times in the fight, but replied with hard jabs and lightning combinations. At times, Ali showed his inexperience in this fight and his speed based fighting style was still not fully realised. Jones seemed the stronger fighter at times and on occasions bullied Ali, but Ali showed that he had grit and durability by standing up to the more mature Jones and fighting back. With the fight poised Ali as (he would so often in his career) staged a brilliant finish, out-punching Jones over the last couple of rounds to come out a clear winner after 10 exciting rounds.  This fight would prove to be valuable experience for the still developing Ali.

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