ALI IN JULY: A GREAT MONTH WITH IRISH ROOTS & OLYMPIC SPIRIT
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 12 Jul 2020
Each month we look at Muhammad Ali’s triumphs and tribulations in that particular month. This time we examine July, a successful month for The Greatest comprising a trip to Ireland and three U.S. fights.
19 July 1972 – Alvin Lewis, Croke Park, Dublin
Result: Ali won by TKO11
After losing to Smokin’ Joe Frazier in March 1971, the famous Fight of the Century, Ali went on something of a world tour in his ‘comeback’ phase fighting 13 times in six countries before defeating Frazier in a rematch in January 1974. Dublin, Ireland was part of the tour and long-term sparring partner Alvin Lewis was the opponent in this non-title fight. On arrival, Ali captured the heart of a nation by announcing that he had Irish roots. Ali’s great-grandfather, Abe Grady, was according to research hailing from Ennis but emigrated to the United States in the 1860s. Ali ended the one-sided bout against Lewis in the 11th.
19 July 1996 – Opening Ceremony, Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games
We include this significant and symbolic July date for The Greatest. This day Ali lit the Olympic cauldron during the Opening Ceremony for the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games. He also received a replacement gold medal as he had lost the one he won in 1960 in Rome.
20 July 1962 – Alejandro Lavorante, Sports Arena, Los Angeles
Result: Cassius Clay won by KO5
Cassius Clay fought Lavorante in a ten-round fight and won the bout by knocking out the Argentinian in the fifth, just as he predicted. In this fight, Clay showed he could take a punch. Early in the second he and Lavorante traded right-hand haymakers, but Clay proved much stronger and finished the onslaught with two blazing knockdowns in the fifth. It was Clay’s 15th straight triumph as a pro and his 12th knockout – and it was regarded his greatest performance so far.
22 July 1961 – Alonzo Johnson, Freedom Hall, Louisville
Result: Clay won by a unanimous decision
Johnson gave Clay a tough fight – one judge scored it 48-47 for Clay, who was booed by the hometown fans in Louisville for the first time.
26 July 1971 – Jimmy Ellis, Astrodome, Houston
Result: Ali won by TKO12
Ellis was a sparring partner who fought on many undercards of The Greatest. Angelo Dundee was Ali’s trainer, but he was both manager and trainer for Ellis. Dundee chose – with Ali’s blessing – to work with Ellis for the fight. Ali stunned Ellis with a straight right in the fourth round: The right “hurt me so bad I couldn’t really fight my best after that,” said Ellis. “It ruined me.”
Ali in a way treated the rest of the fight as if it were a sparring session, and the referee stopped the fight in the 12th after Ali threw another big right, sending Ellis into the ropes, but he remained on his feet. The vacant NABF Heavy Title was on the line, and this was Ali’s first encounter after the Fight of the Century.
The Muhammad Ali Trophy:
The Muhammad Ali Trophy is also known as the Greatest Prize in Boxing and it is being awarded to the winner of the World Boxing Super Series.
Ali gave his blessings to the WBSS and agreed to give his name to its prize, and the trophy was created by the late world-renowned artist Silvio Gazzaniga who also designed the iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy.
Ali Trophy winners:
2019: Josh Taylor (Super-Lightweight), Nagoya Inoue (Bantamweight)
2018: Aleksandr Usyk (Cruiserweight), Callum Smith (Super Middleweight)
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Carlos Cañizales Forced to Cancel Flight to Thailand for WBC World Title Defense
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Boxing Champions Promotions to Present Manny Pacquiao & Freddie Roach with Inaugural “Centurion Awards” During Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event on November 29
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Atif Oberlton Takes on Vaughn Alexander on Saturday, December 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Iligan tops in PEKAF Mindanao qualifying tourney
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 27 Nov 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2026 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4th
Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Renowned Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Launches Private Boxing Camp in Las Vegas
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Eight Boxers Remain in WBC Grand Prix Finals On December 20
Wed, 26 Nov 2025WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez Confirms World Title Fight with David Benavidez on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas
Wed, 26 Nov 2025Petecio in, Paalam out
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 26 Nov 2025Takuma Inoue World Champion Again; Beats Nasukawa for Vacant WBC Belt
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 26 Nov 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 3: 1920 OLYMPIC GAMES AT ANTWERP, BELGIUM
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 26 Nov 2025Badenas TKO’s Saknosiwi in 10th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 26 Nov 2025Las Vegas & California Amateurs Shine in a Powerful Fall Rumble Weekend Followed by a Heartfelt Turkey Drive for Local Families
Wed, 26 Nov 2025Santa Run Davao on December 14 at NCCC Mall Victoria Plaza
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 26 Nov 2025Alec “The Rock” Del Rio Fights for WBC Asia Title Friday in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 25 Nov 2025