Fill me in on some of these Ali opponents

[CarneraKOsSharkey]

I have seen nearly all of Muhammad Ali's notable bouts numerous times, but many of his bouts from 1970s never get shown (I would imagine no tape exists). I know the story about Wepner getting the shot against Ali and being a huge underdog with the chance of a liftetime.

But I know virtually nothing about some of Ali's other opponents from the '70s: Jurgin Blin, Alfredo Evangelista, Jean-Pierre Coopman, Rudi Lubbers, Richard Dunn. Could any of them really fight?

Anyone have any background information on any of these guys? Anyone ever seen any of these fights?

[iceman21287]

I have seen nearly all of Muhammad Ali's notable bouts numerous times, but many of his bouts from 1970s never get shown (I would imagine no tape exists). I know the story about Wepner getting the shot against Ali and being a huge underdog with the chance of a liftetime.

But I know virtually nothing about some of Ali's other opponents from the '70s: Jurgin Blin, Alfredo Evangelista, Jean-Pierre Coopman, Rudi Lubbers, Richard Dunn. Could any of them really fight?

Anyone have any background information on any of these guys? Anyone ever seen any of these fights?

Ali v. Jurgen Blin is on ESPN Classic every week it seems. Ali v. Blin and Ali v. Wepner seem to be on constant rerun. Thank you ESPN for showing the truly classic Ali fights

My nickname for Blin is Karl Mildenberger-lite No power...not that much skill...basically a lesser version of Mildenberger...Ali whipped him...as pretty much all top heavies would.

Evangelista was an inexperienced Spanish fighter (of Uruguayan descent) that was in over his head. Up until the Ali fight, he had only fought in Spain and Uruguay and Rudi Lubbers was the only "name" (if you can even call Rudi Lubbers a name) that he had beaten up until that time. How he got a title shot is beyond me.

Coopman was a Belgian fighter who never fought outside of Belgium until the Ali fight. Coopman's biggest win was against Jan Lubbers (Rudi's brother). Coopman did not deserve a title shot either.

Rudi Lubbers was more skilled than Coopman but was still basically a European scrub that Ali could beat up on. Ali used Lubbers as a warm up before the Frazier fight.

Richard Dunn was the most accomplished of all in this particular group of fighters...however that still is not saying much. He was the Commonwealth and EBU champion and got a title shot at Ali. Ali wiped the floor with him and finished him pretty early.

So, in summation, Ali did in fact fight scrubs from time to time

[KOJOE90]

Richard Dunn.

I think Dunn was a Paratrooper before turning professional. Was a gutsy fighter with bags of heart, but didn't have the best chin in the World. Was competative at British & European level.

About 10 (?) years ago had a bad fall whilst working on a building site and injured his back very badly, there was talk he would never walk again. However Dunn showed his real fighting heart and is walking again, with the help of a stick and the last I saw of him still looked a healthy, imposimg man.

[CarneraKOsSharkey]

Thanks to each of you for your replies.