Here is Every Muhammad Ali Fight In New York City

The world lost maybe its most influential athlete when Louisville, Kentucky native Muhammad Ali passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 74 years old.

In the ring, he was the heavyweight champion of the world, fighting and beating the best boxers in the golden age of heavyweights – Philly resident Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Sonny Liston and Floyd Patterson among many others.

He also fought quite at bit in New York City, particularly at the “Mecca of Boxing,” Madison Square Garden. Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, here is a live clip of every single Cassius Clay/Muhammed Ali fight that took place in New York City. Rest in power, Muhammad Ali. Enjoy:

February 10, 1962: Cassius Clay defeats Sonny Banks by TKO at Madison Square Garden

Clay eventually wins this fight but believe it or not, the former Olympian goes down for the first time as a pro in this his first Madison Square Garden fight (go to 1:50 to see knockdown).

May 19, 1962: Cassius Clay defeats Billy Daniels by TKO at St. Nicholas Arena

Clay defeated this NYC-based fighter at the old St. Nicholas Arena, which was located on 66th Street and Columbus Avenue in Manhattan.

March 13, 1963: Cassius Clay defeats Doug Jones by TKO at Madison Square Garden

Clay here wins a unanimous decision here against Jones, the New Yorker fighting in front of his hometown fans.

March 22, 1967: Muhammed Ali defeats Zora Folley by KO at Madison Square Garden

Now named Muhammad Ali, the “Louisville Lip” knocked out Folley for good in the 7th round.

December 12, 1970: Muhammad Ali defeats Oscar Bonavena by TKO at Madison Square Garden

His second fight after his refusal to fight in the Vietnam War led to a three-year boxing hiatus, Ali handled Bonavena in front of a spirited crowd at the World’s Most Famous Arena. Notice you will hear at least one commentator not named Howard Cosell still call him “Clay” in clear rejection of his name change and conversion to Islam.

March 8, 1971: Joe Frazier defeats Muhammad Ali by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden

The “Fight of the Century” lived up to the enormous hype. Fans took sides: If you disliked Ali’s controversial views and bravado, you rooted for Frazier; if you were inspired by Ali’s politics and his confident, flashy persona, you rooted for Ali. “Smokin'” Joe knocked Ali down later in the fight and eventually won a decision in front of a packed Garden.

September 20, 1972: Muhammad Ali defeats Floyd Patterson by referee technical decision (RTD) at Madison Square Garden

In 1965, Patterson in his prime lost to the former Cassius Clay, which helped catapult Ali to the top of the sports world. By 1972, the hard-hitting Patterson was a shell of his former self and eventually the referee called off this fight – Patterson’s last – in the 7th round. Legendary Puerto Rican lightweight Carlos Ortiz also lost his final pro fight in this night’s undercard as well.

January 28, 1974: Muhammad Ali defeats Joe Frazier by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden

Ali exacted his revenge against Frazier in this 1974 fight, going the distance for a win by decision. Though considered the least compelling of the Ali-Frazier Trilogy, Ali would go on later this October to upset a young George Foreman in the “Rumble in The Jungle.”

September 28, 1976: Muhammad Ali defeats Ken Norton by unanimous decision at Yankee Stadium

Probably the two most exciting moments at Yankee Stadium in 1976 were Chris Chambliss’ homerun in Game 5 of the 1976 ALCS and this fight, which saw the legendary Ali beating Norton — another great rival of his — in front of an enormous crowd in the Bronx.

September 29, 1977: Muhammad Ali defeats Earnie Shavers by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden

At 35 years old, Ali entered the Madison Square Garden ring for the last time as a fighter against the hard-hitting Earnie Shavers. Not an easy matchup for the older Ali but he did win this bout by unanimous decision.

Like blogs like these? Sign up for Dahday’s email list.