Muhammad Ali vs. Ron Lyle - Revision history

Artur128 at 12:12, 30 November 2025

2025-11-30T12:12:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:12, 30 November 2025
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	Early in the 11th, Lyle started a left jab but Ali beat him to it with his own left. Then he smashed Lyle square on the point of the jaw with a thunderous right that sent the challenger reeling into the ropes. Until this explosion, Ali had looked like a man playing tedious games with a boy; now, suddenly, he became deadly serious, battering Lyle along the ropes, across the ring and into a neutral corner. Lyle was overpowered, unable to block the incoming punches, and Ali turned to Referee Ferd Hernandez and motioned for him to stop the fight. The referee refused, so Ali hit Lyle with a lightning left-right-left to the head, then stepped back again and waved to Hernandez. This time, wisely, the referee stopped it. [http://www.si.com/vault/1975/05/26/617291/when-right-made-might]		Early in the 11th, Lyle started a left jab but Ali beat him to it with his own left. Then he smashed Lyle square on the point of the jaw with a thunderous right that sent the challenger reeling into the ropes. Until this explosion, Ali had looked like a man playing tedious games with a boy; now, suddenly, he became deadly serious, battering Lyle along the ropes, across the ring and into a neutral corner. Lyle was overpowered, unable to block the incoming punches, and Ali turned to Referee Ferd Hernandez and motioned for him to stop the fight. The referee refused, so Ali hit Lyle with a lightning left-right-left to the head, then stepped back again and waved to Hernandez. This time, wisely, the referee stopped it. [http://www.si.com/vault/1975/05/26/617291/when-right-made-might]

			{{start box}}
			{{Fight Succession Box\|
			before=[[Muhammad Ali vs. Chuck Wepner\|Ali vs. Wepner]]\|
			title=[[WBA Heavyweight Title Fights\|WBA Heavyweight Title Fight]]<br># 21\|
			after=[[Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Bugner (2nd meeting)\|Ali vs. Bugner II]]\|
			}}
			{{Fight Succession Box\|
			before=[[Muhammad Ali vs. Chuck Wepner\|Ali vs. Wepner]]\|
			title=[[WBC Heavyweight Title Fights\|WBC Heavyweight Title Fight]]<br># 22\|
			after=[[Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Bugner (2nd meeting)\|Ali vs. Bugner II]]\|
			}}
			{{end box}}

Artur128: /* Timeline */

2025-11-29T16:16:52Z

Timeline

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:16, 29 November 2025
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	* On December 10, boxing insiders reported that Ali was negotiating a fight with Lyle for March 3 at Madison Square Garden.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/522943929/]. This was confirmed on December 16 by Mike Hayes, president of the Denver Boxing Club. Ali was offered $2 million in cash.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/71885705/]		* On December 10, boxing insiders reported that Ali was negotiating a fight with Lyle for March 3 at Madison Square Garden.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/522943929/]. This was confirmed on December 16 by Mike Hayes, president of the Denver Boxing Club. Ali was offered $2 million in cash.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/71885705/]
	* On December 19, Reuters got a scoop from a source associated with Lyle that the fight was planned to take place in March or April either at MSG, in Denver or "undetermined country in the Persian Gulf".[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106818226/]		* On December 19, Reuters got a scoop from a source associated with Lyle that the fight was planned to take place in March or April either at MSG, in Denver or "undetermined country in the Persian Gulf".[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106818226/]
	* Ultimately both sides agreed on MSG and March 24. Contracts were expected to be signed on January 7 in New York. However, promoter John Daly failed to show up to a dinner with Don King where the two would iron out some details of the deal. King, feeling insulted and having received an offer from Ali's manager [[Herbert Muhammad]] on the Wepner fight, withdrew from the deal. At the same time, Muhammad stated that he would ~~reinstate the agreement~~ if Ali did not receive $1.625 million promised to him for the Wepner fight by January 20.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1113928601/][https://www.newspapers.com/image/275706399/][https://www.newspapers.com/image/351400668/]		* Ultimately both sides agreed on MSG and March 24. Contracts were expected to be signed on January 7 in New York. However, promoter John Daly failed to show up to a dinner with Don King where the two would iron out some details of the deal. King, feeling insulted and having received an offer from Ali's manager [[Herbert Muhammad]] on the Wepner fight, withdrew from the deal. At the same time, Muhammad stated that he would renew negotiations if Ali did not receive $1.625 million promised to him for the Wepner fight by January 20.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1113928601/][https://www.newspapers.com/image/275706399/][https://www.newspapers.com/image/351400668/]
	* Negotiations for the Lyle fight were reportedly still underway as of February 11, with the bout being proposed for June this time; however, Lyle's upset loss to [[Jimmy Young]] was considered a setback.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1164937278/] Don King was also sceptical about the fight's future: "Imagine an unknown guy like Young whipping Lyle. And the Garder was willing to shell out $2.5 million to Lyle for the Ali fight".[https://www.newspapers.com/image/534845790/]		* Negotiations for the Lyle fight were reportedly still underway as of February 11, with the bout being proposed for June this time; however, Lyle's upset loss to [[Jimmy Young]] was considered a setback.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1164937278/] Don King was also sceptical about the fight's future: "Imagine an unknown guy like Young whipping Lyle. And the Garder was willing to shell out $2.5 million to Lyle for the Ali fight".[https://www.newspapers.com/image/534845790/]
	* On April 2, Associated Press learned that Ali finalized the agreement for the Lyle fight. Herbert Muhammad confirmed this the next day, stating that "the fight is on, the money is up", while Lyle's manager Irwin Rosee stated that "the terms are agreeable and we will sign a contract."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/18385333/] [https://www.newspapers.com/image/18386467/][https://www.newspapers.com/image/69811819/] By April 6, the deal was signed.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1234998177/]		* On April 2, Associated Press learned that Ali finalized the agreement for the Lyle fight. Herbert Muhammad confirmed this the next day, stating that "the fight is on, the money is up", while Lyle's manager Irwin Rosee stated that "the terms are agreeable and we will sign a contract."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/18385333/] [https://www.newspapers.com/image/18386467/][https://www.newspapers.com/image/69811819/] By April 6, the deal was signed.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1234998177/]

Artur128: /* Ranking Movements */

2025-11-29T10:53:11Z

Ranking Movements

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:53, 29 November 2025
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	===Ranking Movements===		===Ranking Movements===
	* Lyle ranked third by the WBC since at least October 11, 1974 and by The Ring Magazine since at least November 1974.		* Lyle ranked third by the WBC since at least October 11, 1974 and by The Ring Magazine since at least November 1974.
	* In the Ring Magazine rankings published ~~around~~ March 15, Lyle was dropped to eighth ~~as a result of a loss to then-unranked [[Jimmy Young]].~~ Young himself was placed seventh.		* On February 11, 1975 Lyle suffered an upset loss to then-unranked [[Jimmy Young]].
			* In the Ring Magazine rankings published by March 15, Lyle was dropped to eighth, while Young himself was placed seventh.
			* In WBC's March rankings published early April, Lyle was dropped to seventh but still kept two spots above Young, who was moved to ninth.

	===The Fight===		===The Fight===

Artur128: /* Ranking Movements */

2025-11-29T10:49:39Z

Ranking Movements

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:49, 29 November 2025
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	===Ranking Movements===		===Ranking Movements===
	* The Ring Magazine ~~ranked Lyle at No. 3~~ since at least November 1974.		* Lyle ranked third by the WBC since at least October 11, 1974 and by The Ring Magazine since at least November 1974.
	* In the Ring Magazine rankings published around March 15, Lyle was dropped to eighth as a result of a loss to then-unranked [[Jimmy Young]]. Young himself was placed seventh.		* In the Ring Magazine rankings published around March 15, Lyle was dropped to eighth as a result of a loss to then-unranked [[Jimmy Young]]. Young himself was placed seventh.

Artur128: /* Ranking Movements */

2025-11-29T10:48:04Z

Ranking Movements

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:48, 29 November 2025
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	===Ranking Movements===		===Ranking Movements===
	* Lyle ~~ranked~~ No. 3 ~~heavyweight contender by The Ring~~ since at least November 1974.		* The Ring Magazine ranked Lyle at No. 3 since at least November 1974.
	* In the Ring Magazine rankings published around March 15, Lyle was dropped to eighth as a result of a loss to then-unranked [[Jimmy Young]]. Young himself was placed seventh.		* In the Ring Magazine rankings published around March 15, Lyle was dropped to eighth as a result of a loss to then-unranked [[Jimmy Young]]. Young himself was placed seventh.

Artur128 at 10:46, 29 November 2025

2025-11-29T10:46:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:46, 29 November 2025
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	\| WBA \|\| N/A \|\| N/A \|\| N/A		\| WBA \|\| N/A \|\| N/A \|\| N/A
	\|-		\|-
	\| WBC \|\| ~~N/A~~ \|\| ~~N/A~~ \|\| ~~N/A~~		\| WBC \|\| 3 \|\| 30.11.1974 \|\| by 06.12.1974
	\|-		\|-
	\| Ring \|\| 3 \|\| 11.1975 \|\| by 07.12.1974		\| Ring \|\| 3 \|\| 11.1975 \|\| by 07.12.1974

Artur128 at 10:42, 29 November 2025

2025-11-29T10:42:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:42, 29 November 2025
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	\| WBA \|\| N/A \|\| N/A \|\| N/A		\| WBA \|\| N/A \|\| N/A \|\| N/A
	\|-		\|-
	\| WBC \|\| ~~N/A~~ \|\| ~~N/A~~ \|\| ~~N/A~~		\| WBC \|\| 3 \|\| 31.12.1974 \|\| 21.01.1975
	\|-		\|-
	\| Ring \|\| 3 \|\| 01.1975 \|\| by 17.01.1975		\| Ring \|\| 3 \|\| 01.1975 \|\| by 17.01.1975

Artur128: /* Ranking Movements */

2025-11-23T16:34:56Z

Ranking Movements

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:34, 23 November 2025
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	===Ranking Movements===		===Ranking Movements===
	* Lyle ranked No. 3 heavyweight contender by The Ring since at least November 1974.		* Lyle ranked No. 3 heavyweight contender by The Ring since at least November 1974.
	* In the rankings published around March 15, Lyle was dropped to eighth as a result of a loss to then-unranked [[Jimmy Young]]. Young himself was placed seventh.		* In the Ring Magazine rankings published around March 15, Lyle was dropped to eighth as a result of a loss to then-unranked [[Jimmy Young]]. Young himself was placed seventh.

	===The Fight===		===The Fight===

Artur128: /* Ranking Movements */

2025-11-23T16:31:38Z

Ranking Movements

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:31, 23 November 2025
Line 49:		Line 49:

	===Ranking Movements===		===Ranking Movements===
	* Lyle ranked No. 3 contender by The Ring since at least November 1974		* Lyle ranked No. 3 heavyweight contender by The Ring since at least November 1974.
	* In the rankings published around March 15, Lyle was dropped to eighth as a result of a loss to then-unranked [[Jimmy Young]]. Young himself was placed seventh.		* In the rankings published around March 15, Lyle was dropped to eighth as a result of a loss to then-unranked [[Jimmy Young]]. Young himself was placed seventh.

Artur128: /* Timeline */

2025-11-23T16:30:25Z

Timeline

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:30, 23 November 2025
Line 46:		Line 46:
	* Ultimately both sides agreed on MSG and March 24. Contracts were expected to be signed on January 7 in New York. However, promoter John Daly failed to show up to a dinner with Don King where the two would iron out some details of the deal. King, feeling insulted and having received an offer from Ali's manager [[Herbert Muhammad]] on the Wepner fight, withdrew from the deal. At the same time, Muhammad stated that he would reinstate the agreement if Ali did not receive $1.625 million promised to him for the Wepner fight by January 20.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1113928601/][https://www.newspapers.com/image/275706399/][https://www.newspapers.com/image/351400668/]		* Ultimately both sides agreed on MSG and March 24. Contracts were expected to be signed on January 7 in New York. However, promoter John Daly failed to show up to a dinner with Don King where the two would iron out some details of the deal. King, feeling insulted and having received an offer from Ali's manager [[Herbert Muhammad]] on the Wepner fight, withdrew from the deal. At the same time, Muhammad stated that he would reinstate the agreement if Ali did not receive $1.625 million promised to him for the Wepner fight by January 20.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1113928601/][https://www.newspapers.com/image/275706399/][https://www.newspapers.com/image/351400668/]
	* Negotiations for the Lyle fight were reportedly still underway as of February 11, with the bout being proposed for June this time; however, Lyle's upset loss to [[Jimmy Young]] was considered a setback.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1164937278/] Don King was also sceptical about the fight's future: "Imagine an unknown guy like Young whipping Lyle. And the Garder was willing to shell out $2.5 million to Lyle for the Ali fight".[https://www.newspapers.com/image/534845790/]		* Negotiations for the Lyle fight were reportedly still underway as of February 11, with the bout being proposed for June this time; however, Lyle's upset loss to [[Jimmy Young]] was considered a setback.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1164937278/] Don King was also sceptical about the fight's future: "Imagine an unknown guy like Young whipping Lyle. And the Garder was willing to shell out $2.5 million to Lyle for the Ali fight".[https://www.newspapers.com/image/534845790/]
	* On April 2, Associated Press learned that Ali finalized the agreement for the Lyle fight. Herbert Muhammad confirmed this the next day, stating that "the fight is on, the money is up", while Lyle's manager Irwin Rosee stated that "the terms are agreeable and we will sign a contract."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/18385333/][https://www.newspapers.com/image/18386467/][https://www.newspapers.com/image/69811819/]		* On April 2, Associated Press learned that Ali finalized the agreement for the Lyle fight. Herbert Muhammad confirmed this the next day, stating that "the fight is on, the money is up", while Lyle's manager Irwin Rosee stated that "the terms are agreeable and we will sign a contract."[https://www.newspapers.com/image/18385333/] [https://www.newspapers.com/image/18386467/][https://www.newspapers.com/image/69811819/] By April 6, the deal was signed.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1234998177/]

	===Ranking Movements===		===Ranking Movements===