Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Bugner II

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The Fight of a Lifetime
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Date1 July 1975
VenueMerdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Title(s) on the lineWBA, WBC and The Ring undisputed heavyweight championship
Tale of the tape
Boxer United States Muhammad Ali United Kingdom Joe Bugner
Nickname "The Greatest"
Hometown Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. Szőreg, Southern Great Plain, Hungary
Purse $2,000,000 $500,000
Pre-fight record 47–2 (34 KO) 51–6–1 (30 KO)
Age 33 years, 5 months 25 years, 3 months
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 224+1⁄2 lb (102 kg) 230 lb (104 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBA, WBC and The Ring undisputed
Heavyweight Champion		 WBC
No. 2 Ranked Heavyweight
European
Heavyweight Champion
Result
Ali defeated Bugner by 15th round Unanimous Decision

Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Bugner II, billed as The Fight of a Lifetime, was a professional boxing match contested on 1 July 1975, for the undisputed heavyweight championship.[1]

Background

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The 1975 title fight with Bugner was Ali's third title defense since 1974, and was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and remains the only world heavyweight championship fight hosted in the nation's history. Being held in June, the location of the fight was very hot, creating difficulties for both men.[2] The two had fought two years earlier with Ali winning a competitive 12 round Unanimous Decision.

The fight

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Despite the heat, Ali performed very well, fighting aggressively against the bigger challenger, forcing Joe against the ropes and clinching to prevent counters and also used his now famous rope-a-dope tactic minimally. Bugner lasted the 15 round distance, and once again neither man was knocked down, but Ali won the fight on points by a comfortable margin.[3]

Aftermath

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This was Ali's last fight before the famous Thrilla in Manila, a third fight with Ali's arch-rival Joe Frazier.[4][5]

Undercard

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Confirmed bouts:[6]

Winner Loser Weight division/title belt(s) disputed Result
Australia Lionel Rose Japan Bomber Uchida Super Feather (10 rounds) Unanimous decision.
Norway Bjorn Rudi United States Levi Forte Heavyweight (6 rounds) 3rd-round KO.

Broadcasting

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Country Broadcaster
File:Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico Televisa
File:Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines KBS 9
File:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom BBC[7]

References

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