The Man who KO'd Ali

[oogiebe]

Aside from the Larry Holmes debacle, Muhammad was only KO'd once in his pro and amateur career. Kent Green stopped then 15 year old Cassius Clay in two rounds in 1957. Green went on to a forgettable pro career going 13-2 with 7 KO's retiring at age thirty in 1969. I don't know much about Green, but he was said to have fought an exhibition bout with Ali in 1975.

Couldn't find much on him, but I thought it was interesting that Ali had never been KO'd as an amateur. I never knew that.

[sweetsci]

They were supposed to fight some sort of "rematch" in 1979 or so. I'm not sure if it was supposed to be another exhibition or a legitimate bout. I'm thinking exhibition. Green made the cover of Boxing Illustrated, as I recall, around this time.

[oogiebe]

They were supposed to fight some sort of "rematch" in 1979 or so. I'm not sure if it was supposed to be another exhibition or a legitimate bout. I'm thinking exhibition. Green made the cover of Boxing Illustrated, as I recall, around this time.

I don't remember him from SI during that time. I'll have to look up SI covers.

It's really something to have never been KO'd in one's career but once am or pro. (again, without regards to the Holmes fight).

[sweetsci]

BI - Boxing Illustrated, not Sports Illustrated. The February 1979 issue. Here's a link to someone on eBay selling a copy -

https://www.ebay.com/itm/February-1979- ... 0012.m1985

[oogiebe]

BI - Boxing Illustrated, not Sports Illustrated. The February 1979 issue. Here's a link to someone on eBay selling a copy -

https://www.ebay.com/itm/February-1979- ... 0012.m1985

My bad. Thanks for the link.

[sweetsci]

No worries! I had that issue once upon a time, but it's long gone now.

[oogiebe]

No worries! I had that issue once upon a time, but it's long gone now.

Same title as the thread too! LOLOL!

[RingGreats.com]

Green's fight was ref stoppage TKO in second round. Ali was on his feet when it was stopped. Fairly easy to find from old newspaper archives.
And It took place on Feb 26, 1958 Chicago Tournament of Champions. Light-heavy quarterfinals.
the way it was reported: "Green hit Clay like snow hits Chicago. Clay didn't go off his feet but he wasn't giving Green any conversation either."

Another confirmed TKO loss Ali had was on Sept. 7, 1957 in Louisville, Ky against Terry Hodge due to cuts.

There's total 7 confirmed losses he had as an amateur I've been able to find. some sources mention two more decision losses in 1956 to Jimmy Ellis and in 1955 to John Hampton. and then this mysterious one KO to Willie Moran also in 1955.

Ali said he had been dropped in amateurs. but i don't know if he was ever ko'd.

[ewenhay]

They were supposed to fight some sort of "rematch" in 1979 or so. I'm not sure if it was supposed to be another exhibition or a legitimate bout. I'm thinking exhibition. Green made the cover of Boxing Illustrated, as I recall, around this time.

I don't remember him from SI during that time. I'll have to look up SI covers.

It's really something to have never been KO'd in one's career but once am or pro. (again, without regards to the Holmes fight).

It's a great record but I don't think you can disregard the stoppage in the Holmes fight. It was a legitimate contest regardless of how one sided it was.

[oogiebe]

I don't remember him from SI during that time. I'll have to look up SI covers.

It's really something to have never been KO'd in one's career but once am or pro. (again, without regards to the Holmes fight).

It's a great record but I don't think you can disregard the stoppage in the Holmes fight. It was a legitimate contest regardless of how one sided it was.

Let's be honest. That wasn't Ali.

[ewenhay]

It's a great record but I don't think you can disregard the stoppage in the Holmes fight. It was a legitimate contest regardless of how one sided it was.

Let's be honest. That wasn't Ali.

Wasn't Ali after the Thrilla in Manilla imo.

Still can't expunge it from his record though.

[ewenhay]

Or the Killa in Manilla.

Ruined both guys, sadly.

[oogiebe]

Or the Killa in Manilla.

Ruined both guys, sadly.

True. Ali should have retired after that fight. It would have been the perfect ending to a brilliant career.

[Caractacus]

Sounds like it may have been Kent Green.

[Expug]

Kent Green was always at the Golden Gloves tournament in the 70s in Chicago.
The announcer would introduce him sitting ringside as the guy who beat Ali.
He’d get up wave to the applause. I remember it well.
I believe he had a grocery store on the south side.

[Caractacus]

yeah, at the time there was a lot of (short-lived) publicity
for Muhammad Ali fighting a 10 round "grudge' exhibition
with Kent Green in Chicago November-8-1979.

[Expug]

They introduced him at the Chicago Golden Gloves in 1978. They introduced him and my uncle who was a park director. It was right before I fought. Third fight of the tournament for me. I lost

[evrenb]

Sounds like it may have been Kent Green.

Jeez you are truly something...