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When Ali came to Ireland
Steven LynchJune 3, 2014
I was sure Muhammad Ali had a title fight in Ireland. But I found a list and couldn't see it. Am I imagining it? asked Chris Knight from Belfast
Muhammad Ali did have one professional bout in Ireland - but it wasn't a world title fight, which is why it wouldn't be on the list you saw.
In July 1972 Ali stopped his fellow American Alvin 'Blue' Lewis in the 11th of their scheduled 12-round contest at Croke Park in Dublin. The film was the subject of a 2012 documentary for Irish television, called When Ali Came to Ireland.
Lewis had often sparred with Ali, who would not regain his world title for another two years - when he beat George Foreman in Zaire, in the "Rumble in the Jungle".
Muhammad Ali had another connection with Ireland: his great-grandfather, Abe Grady, was born in Ennis, in County Clare. Ali paid the town a visit in 2009.
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