Muhammad Ali vs "Darth Raider" Lyle Alzado

HomicideHenry · Post by **HomicideHenry** » 12 Aug 2006, 17:44

In 1979 Muhammad Ali had just recently retired after winning his HW title back from 'Neon' Leon Spinks, becoming the first man to win the HW title three times, a distinction he would have until 1996 when Evander Holyfield beaten Mike Tyson to regain his WBA title.

During this time NFL Oakland Raiders football player Lyle Alzado had left the National Football League because of contract negotiations he felt were beneath him. In his hiatus he figured that with all his size and strength, as well as his popularity as a NFL player and part-time actor that he could become a huge star in professional boxing.

Alzado tested the waters on July 14th, 1979 against Muhammad Ali, who was at a career high of 234 pounds. Alzado dwarfed the 3x HW champion with his 6'4" 300+ frame. The bout was scheduled for eight rounds in Denver, Colorado. Surprisingly enough Alzado not only lasted the eight round distance, but in clinches would literally pick Ali off the ground and spin around and place him on the ropes and start hitting Ali.

This was Alzado's only experience in boxing, as the NFL met his needs, and Alzado stayed in the NFL for nearly another two decades, only to pass away from brain cancer, supposedly from years of steroid/human growth hormone use throughout the years. Ali on the other hand would make his own come-back, only to fail against Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick, finally retiring in 1981.

I was wondering if anyone knew where a full-length video of this fight is at, as I have only seen a short clip of it on SPORTS CENTURY when it did a bio on Lyle Alzado?

Taylor · Post by **Taylor** » 13 Aug 2006, 09:43

I never heard about this.Was it a exhibition?

kick asner · Post by **kick asner** » 13 Aug 2006, 13:11

Thats what it was, an exibition. A pretty bland one at that. Ali pretty much just posed and clowned as one might expect in such a fight. I use the word fight lightly. I can't remember him throwing any meaningful punches although I think I got boered and fell asleep.

generic screen name · Post by **generic screen name** » 13 Aug 2006, 13:53

Alzado was also a known steroid user.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 14 Aug 2006, 12:43

http://www.antekprizering.com/alialzadoprogram.jpeg

joe kurtz · Post by **joe kurtz** » 14 Aug 2006, 14:00

First of all, KOJOE, great poster1 Haven't seen that one in years.
Did you just pull it up online or do you own it. Hopefully it's the latter 'cause it's a rare one & has got to be worth a bundle.

Irish, I saw this one when it was originally televised live on CBS way back when, so it shouldn't be too hard to find a complete copy of it from the usual tape & DVD-R sources.

Kick, my recollection of it is a wee bit different of this one than yours. Though, your right about the vast majority of it. It WAS for the most part a dull affair with Ali doing a lot of the "rope a dope" & toying with Alzado. But, if I remember correctly there was a point early on ( for some reason I want to say that it was in the third round ) when Alzado tried to "take liberties" with the Champ & Ali quickly let the big guy see the error of his ways by wobbling him with a nice combo that was punctuated by a vintage Ali right hand.
I seem to even recall a statement from Alzado afterward to the effect of him having been "buzzed" on the gridiron before, but not like THAT.

The Great John L · Post by **The Great John L** » 14 Aug 2006, 14:04

joe kurtz wrote:First of all, KOJOE, great poster1 Haven't seen that one in years.
Did you just pull it up online or do you own it. Hopefully it's the latter 'cause it's a rare one & has got to be worth a bundle.

Irish, I saw this one when it was originally televised live on CBS way back when, so it shouldn't be too hard to find a complete copy of it from the usual tape & DVD-R sources.

Kick, my recollection of it is a wee bit different of this one than yours. Though, your right about the vast majority of it. It WAS for the most part a dull affair with Ali doing a lot of the "rope a dope" & toying with Alzado. But, if I remember correctly there was a point early on ( for some reason I want to say that it was in the third round ) when Alzado tried to "take liberties" with the Champ & Ali quickly let the big guy see the error of his ways by wobbling him with a nice combo that was punctuated by a vintage Ali right hand.
I seem to even recall a statement from Alzado afterward to the effect of him having been "buzzed" on the gridiron before, but not like THAT.

I also watched this live, and my biggest recollection of the “event” was how easily Ali was able to move Alzado around the ring when they were in clinches. His use of leverage with an obviously larger more powerful opponent was quite impressive. I also remember Ali not really trying except for a few rare moments.

HomicideHenry · Post by **HomicideHenry** » 14 Aug 2006, 23:37

The clip I saw of the exhibition was Alzado at one point picking Ali up off the ground, turning around and placing Ali on the ropes and started a small assault on Ali's body. As for Alzado's choice of opposition, I think he would have looked better if he had faced a less qualified fighter in an exhibition than facing Ali, even though Ali was worn down and at a career high of 230+ pounds.

I think in ways him facing Ali in that exhibition, may have made him have second thoughts about turning in his jersey and being a professional boxer.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 15 Aug 2006, 13:36

joe kurtz wrote:First of all, KOJOE, great poster1 Haven't seen that one in years.
Did you just pull it up online or do you own it. Hopefully it's the latter 'cause it's a rare one & has got to be worth a bundle.

Just a Google image search I am sad to say, glad you enjoyed seeing it though.

Whilst on the subject of Ali exhibitions didn't he have one with the wrestler Gorilla Monsoon (spelling?)