View source for Muhammad Ali vs. Al Lewis

{{short description|Boxing competition}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox boxing match
| Fight Name   = Muhammad Ali vs. Al Lewis
| image        = [[File:Muhammad_Ali_vs._Al_Lewis.jpg|250px]]
| caption      =
| fight date   = 19 July 1972
| location     = [[Croke Park]], [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]]
| titles       =
| fighter1     = {{flagicon|USA}} Muhammad Ali
| nickname1    = "The Greatest"
| hometown1    = [[Louisville, Kentucky]], U.S.
| purse1       =
| record1      = 37–1 (26 KO)
| age1         = {{age in years and months |January 17, 1942 |19 July 1972}}
| height1      = 6 ft 3 in
| weight1      = 218 lb
| style1       = Orthodox
| recognition1 = Former [[Undisputed championship (boxing)|undisputed]] [[List of world heavyweight boxing champions|heavyweight champion]]
| fighter2     = {{flagicon|USA}} Alvin Lewis
| nickname2    = "Blue"
| hometown2    = [[Detroit, Michigan]], U.S.
| purse2       =
| record2      = 26–4 (16 KO)
| age2         = {{age in years and months |November 12, 1942 |19 July 1972}}
| height2      = 6 ft 3 in
| weight2      = 224 lb
| style2       = Orthodox
| recognition2 =
| result       = '''Ali''' won via 11th round '''[[Knockout|TKO]]'''
}}
'''[[Muhammad Ali]] vs. [[Alvin Lewis (boxer)|Alvin Lewis]]''' was a professional boxing match contested on 19 July 1972.<ref>{{cite web |title=Muhammad Ali vs. Alvin Lewis |url=https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Muhammad_Ali_vs._Alvin_Lewis |website=boxrec.com |publisher=BoxRec |access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref>
==Background==
[[Killorglin]]-born circus [[Strongman (strength athlete)|strongman]] and [[publican]], Michael "Butty" Sugrue, put up £300,000 to persuade Ali to face his former sparring partner [[Alvin Lewis (boxer)|Alvin Lewis]] at [[Croke Park]].<ref>[http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/michael-moynihan/new-years-treat-as-alis-dublin-date-relived-on-the-box-217226.html New year's treat as Ali's Dublin date relived on the box] Irish Examiner, 2012-12-17.</ref>
==The fight==
Ali won the bout through a technical knockout in the 11th round.<ref name="ESPN record">{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/s/Ali_record.html |title=Muhammad Ali's ring record |work=ESPN |date=19 November 2003|access-date=5 October 2016}}</ref><ref name = "Hauser">{{cite book|title=Muhammad Ali:His Life and Times|author= Thomas Hauser|publisher=Simon & Schuster|pages = 242–3|year=1991}}</ref><ref name = "Glory Years">{{cite book|title=Muhammad Ali: The Glory Years|author1=Felix Dennis |author2=Don Atyeo |publisher=miramax books|page = 192|year=2003}}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-31428195 |title=When Ali thrilled Ireland: How 'the Greatest' shook up Dublin |work=BBC |date=6 June 2016|access-date=6 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="ESPN">{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3484739 |title=Legend of Ali-Lewis fight in Dublin grows with each year |work=ESPN |date=17 June 2008|access-date=6 October 2016}}</ref><ref name = "Heavy Box">{{cite book|title=Heavyweight Boxing in the 1970s:The Great Fighters and Rivalries|author=Joe Ryan |publisher=McFarland & Company|pages = 103–4|year=2013}}</ref><ref name="Journal">{{cite news|url=http://www.the42.ie/ali-at-70-the-night-the-greatest-togged-off-in-croke-park-330037-Jan2012/ |title=Ali at 70: the night 'The Greatest' togged off in Croke Park |work=TheJournal.ie |date=17 January 2012|access-date=6 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="Irish Examiner">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/muhammad-ali-in-ireland-croker-bout-hurling-and-the-wee-corkman-403384.html |title=Muhammad Ali in Ireland: Croker bout, hurling, and the wee Corkman |work=Irish Examiner |date=6 June 2016|access-date=6 October 2016}}</ref><ref name = "Hannigan">{{cite book|title=The Big Fight: Muhammad Ali v. Al Blue Lewis|author=Dave Hannigan |publisher=Random House UK|year=2002}}</ref>
==Aftermath==
A 2012 documentary called ''[[When Ali Came to Ireland]]'' presents the story of Ali's visit.
==Undercard==
Confirmed bouts:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxrec.com/en/event/15990|title=BoxRec - event|publisher=}}</ref>
==Broadcasting==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! align=center | Country
! align=center | Broadcaster
|-
| {{flag|Mexico}} || [[Telesistema Mexicano]]
|-
| {{flag|Philippines}} || [[ABS-CBN]]
|-
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} || [[BBC]]
|}
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef | before=[[Muhammad Ali vs. Jerry Quarry II|vs. Jerry Quarry II]]}}
{{s-ttl | title=[[Muhammad Ali]]'s bouts |years=19 July 1972}}
{{s-aft | after=[[Muhammad Ali vs. Floyd Patterson II|vs. Floyd Patterson II]]}}
{{s-bef | before=vs. [[Oscar Bonavena]]}}
{{s-ttl | title=[[Alvin Lewis (boxer)|Alvin Lewis]]'s bouts |years=19 July 1972}}
{{s-aft | after=vs. Charlie Reno}}
{{s-end}}
{{Muhammad Ali}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ali, Lewis}}
[[Category:1972 in boxing]]
[[Category:July 1972 sports events in Europe]]
[[Category:Boxing in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Boxing in County Dublin]]
[[Category:Boxing matches involving Muhammad Ali|Lewis]]
[[Category:Boxing on BBC]]
[[Category:International sports competitions in Dublin (city)]]
{{boxing-stub}}