Ten Seconds to Knockout

  He is dancing, bouncing and shuffling. He is gyrating around his opponent, with his graceful footwork, lightning speed, great power and remarkable stability.  I focus my binoculars on Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. In his blue-striped white trunks, red gloves, and hand-painted boxing shoes—not a mark on his face—his stance straight and unorthodox, he looks the picture of confidence. He is defending his title against challenger Brian London, the European Heavyweight Champion, aka the British Bulldog. London in his orthodox classic stance, white-striped red trunks and red gloves—his face bearing marks of many past bouts—feet shoulder distance apart planted firmly on the mat, he looks rugged and courageous. Ali is dancing and gliding like a figure skater and London responding to his gyration with minimal footwork. They are already 90 seconds into Round 3.

This is happening at Earls Court Center in London. A magnificent arena with the boxing ring placed at the center for this occasion. The arena is circumscribed by an impressive two tier gallery for 20, 000 spectators, almost fully packed, bubbling with excitement. A giant hoarding reads: “Saturday August 6, 1966. The Heavyweight Championship of the World. The Fight of the Century. 15 X 3 minutes Rounds.” A second hoarding gave the vital stats: “Ali 24 years, 6’-3”, 206 lb.; London 32 years, 6’-0”, 201 lb.” I glance at my ticket, price 6 pounds 6 shillings, upper tier, Block P, Row B, Seat 43, Entrance 54, entrance from Warwick Road only. Flood lights hanging from the roof trusses are pointed on the ring while the spectator galleries are dimly lit. All eyes are riveted on the brightly lit boxing ring. We are already 90 seconds into Round 3.

Ali is dancing and gyrating around London. An out-boxer, Ali’s hands are dangling dangerously at his sides at waist level. He is fast and nimble enough to get away with it. London shoots a sharp right but Ali uses his lightning quick reflexes, dances a step back and avoids London’s punch. In the process London is slightly off balance and his face is momentarily unguarded. Ali uses his enormous reach and lands a strapping left jab on London’s right jaw, swiftly follows this with a sharp right. 

London is shaken. He staggers and retreats. Ali goes after him. London steps back to the rope, tries to bounce off the rope and out of the tight spot. But Ali is blazing fast. He lands a flurry of punches on London. Left jab, left, right, right, left, left... one long overhand right lands high on London's head. Ali goes on mercilessly. His punches landing fast. Ali lands 10-12 punches in about 3 seconds. There is stunned silence. London still with his back on the rope, now his legs buckle, he slumps on the floor. The referee orders Ali to his corner. Ali flies like a butterfly to his corner. 

Referee starts counting one, two, three… but the crowd knows that it is all over. Ali contorts his mouth in a grimace readjusting his mouth guard. He then raises both his red-gloved hands upward in a victory pose, the crowd roars. It’s a Knockout! Ali retains his World Heavyweight title. We are now 100 seconds into Round 3. It is all over.

Epilogue: I watched this fight fifty years ago. Such a big guy dancing so fast, with the grace of a figure skater, (as if he was a flyweight and not a heavyweight), was truly unbelievable. Even to this day, Ali’s god-like fitness is etched on my mind. 

Ali was guaranteed $252,000 plus a percentage of the TV revenue. London made about $112,000. 

Sports Illustrated named him the Athlete of the Century and the BBC voted him their Sports Personality of the Century.