‘The Greatest’ was stripped of his title in 1967 and would not return to the ring for another three years.
Muhammad Ali is one of the biggest names in sports history and one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. Although many fans know him for his ability in the ring and his charisma, many do not know about the time Ali was banned from the sport.
Although a small blemish in an incredible career, Ali was sitting at nine heavyweight title defenses when he was forced to take a career break.
Aged just 25, had Ali not faced the ban, he could have gone on to have even more career success.
25-year-old Muhammad Ali’s decision changed boxing forever
Despite Ali starting his career with an unlikely story, he had one of the greatest boxing careers of all time.
By the end of March 1967, Ali already had two impressive world heavyweight title defenses that year over Ernie Terell and Zora Folley. However, his year would take a sharp turn in April.
On the 28th of April, 1967, Ali denied his call for military service, with religious reasons being the boxer’s defense.
The denial of service would mean that Ali was convicted of draft evasion. The resulting punishments included a $10,000 fine, a ban from boxing, being stripped of his heavyweight title, and five years in prison.
Ali had originally failed his qualification test for the military in 1964 due to his dyslexia. However, following the classification being lowered, the boxer became eligible in 1966.
Ali would end up being without his boxing license for a total of three years. It wouldn’t be until October of 1970 that ‘The Greatest’ would return.
Muhammad Ali returned to boxing with back-to-back TKO wins
Ali’s return to boxing was highly anticipated, with boxing fans going three years without witnessing a performance from ‘The Greatest’.
Eager to make up up for lost time, Ali would fight twice in a two-month span in 1970. His comeback bout would come against Jerry Quarry, whom Ali dispatched in round three thanks to a cut above his left eye.
It would be another impressive showing from Ali two months later in December. Facing Oscar Bonavena, Ali would score three knockdowns in the 15th and final round, leading to an automatic stoppage.
Following his two wins, Ali would be given a chance to retain his heavyweight title. Facing Joe Frazier, their meeting in March of 1971 would be the first of three iconic bouts.
Frazier would be the first man ever to defeat Ali, winning via unanimous decision. The pair’s next two bouts would come in 1974 and 1975, with Ali winning both outings.