NOVA MCGILL
Contributor
In 1978, Muhammad Ali showed the world why he was still the greatest. Earlier that year, he had lost his heavyweight title to Leon Spinks, a younger and less experienced fighter who surprised everyone by beating him. A lot of people thought Ali was done, since he was already 36 and had been through years of tough fights. But Ali wasn’t about to give up. He worked hard in training and was determined to get his title back. This rematch was one of a million. Pro vs pro, two masters of the ring.
The rematch happened on September 15, 1978, in New Orleans. There were approximately 2 billion people worldwide watching this fight, making it one of the most-watched boxing matches of all time. Fans were glued to the fight as Ali used his quick footwork, sharp punches, and experience to stay ahead of Spinks. Spinks fought with heart, but he didn’t have the same skills or ring smarts as Ali. And by the end, Ali won easily by unanimous decision.
This moment made Ali the heavyweight champion for the third time, an achievement which no one else had ever done before. The win was more than just another victory, for it proved his determination and ability to bounce back. His comeback inspired people everywhere and showed the world why Ali will ultimately and always be remembered as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
Photo from Sports Illustrated