TIL: Muhammad Ali boxed an exhibition against an NFL player

[Pigeons]

Saw this today while watching a YouTube video about Lyle Alzado.


In 1979, Ali boxed Lyle Alzado, a defensive end for the Denver Broncos, in an 8-round exhibition that went the distance.


I had heard of Ali vs. Inoki, but I had never heard of this one. Ali-Inoki happened during Ali's second heavyweight reign. Ali-Alzado happened right after Ali retired following his third heavyweight reign.

https://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/04/when-muhammad-ali-fought-broncos-lyle-alzado-in-denver/

Maybe this is where Mayweather finds his inspiration?

[GGG Gloveking]

Maybe if Ali fought a punter

[GhostofDempsey]

Ali knew the meaning of exhibition. Carry the guy and entertain. What Floyd did was classless.

[DaNeutral.]

How did Ali do in his exhibition fight against the NFL player? Did he go for the kill from the very beginning like it was for all the belts in the world and end it in the 1st or did he drag it out because it was an exhibition?

Floyd is such a goon he really is unlikable. After that fight im actually more embarrased for him than i am for the little Japanese boy he beat.

[Idunnoshet]

Id rather get 8-9 million for 1 round than 3 . But that's just me .

[Pigeons]

Ali knew the meaning of exhibition. Carry the guy and entertain. What Floyd did was classless.

How did Ali do in his exhibition fight against the NFL player? Did he go for the kill from the very beginning like it was for all the belts in the world and end it in the 1st or did he drag it out because it was an exhibition?

Floyd is such a goon he really is unlikable. After that fight im actually more embarrased for him than i am for the little Japanese boy he beat.

Nasukawa is a professional fighter. Alzado was a football player. If Mayweather boxed Russell Wilson, I wouldn't expect him to go for the kill either.

[DaNeutral.]

Nasukawa is a professional fighter. Alzado was a football player. If Mayweather boxed Russell Wilson, I wouldn't expect him to go for the kill either.

Oh i would. The man has no class.

[aAgger]

Did Ali ever fight a guy much smaller than him? No. So this is not at all comparable to Mayweather. Ali always fought guys his own size. He never beat up kids much smaller than him like Mayweather did. And Ali never beat up women either. Mayweather is a disgrace who doesn't even deserve to stand in Ali's shadow.

[muslimer12]

Nasukawa is a professional fighter. Alzado was a football player. If Mayweather boxed Russell Wilson, I wouldn't expect him to go for the kill either.

A kickboxer that was half Floyd’s size lol the football player was more dangerous

[champion4ever]

That was a very good fight. Lyle Alzado more than held his own against the champ; Even though Ali was retired and washed up by that time.