[Broadjumper]

Originally Posted by downunder ↗

The first Spinx fight, one judge had Ali winning, not sure what he was watching.

Well, boxing has always been notoriously corrupt. It's partly why its popularity has declined so much since the 70's. That and the absurdity of 3 major sanctioning bodies (WBA, WBC, IBF), weight class proliferation and assholes like Bob Arum and Don King dominating and ruining the sport. Back in the day people new who the champs were in most of the major weight classes. Today people are lucky to name one and there's no such thing as "Undisputed" champions...plus you have guys who duck fights constantly (Mayweather is scum)

[Broadjumper]

Originally Posted by downunder ↗

The first Spinx fight, one judge had Ali winning, not sure what he was watching.

BTW, so did the Associated Press (143-142 for Ali) but gave Spinks the last three rounds. The Jimmy Young decision was far worse...The Associated Press scored the fight 69-66 for Young while Ali was give a UD.

Ken Norton who was at ringside had the fight even on his own scorecard. Lester Bromberg (former Ring magazine editor) called the decision a "travesty". New York Daily News reporter Dick Young said: "[Ali] won by the grace of three hero worshipping fight officials. I believe many people, the voting officials among them, refuse to believe what they see when one of their super-heroes doesn't function as expected." Even Ali's ever loyal trainer Angelo Dundee went on record as saying this was Ali's "worst fight".

[records1]

I watched some of the Ali fights and followed boxing in the 70's. He was the greatest boxer overall. Still, if you think he was controversial, check out Jack Johnson. He overcame even more in his time.

Sad to say, but Ali has not long to go.

[FunkPumpkin]

Gee, any wonder why WWF and boxing died about the same time pro-MMA became prominent?

meh