Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Bugner II explained

Fight Name:Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Bugner II
Fight Date:1 July 1975
Location:Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Titles:WBA, WBC and The Ring undisputed heavyweight championship
Fighter1: Muhammad Ali
Nickname1:"The Greatest"
Hometown1:Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Purse1:$2,000,000
Record1:47–2 (34 KO)
Height1:6 ft 3 in
Weight1:224+1/2 lb
Style1:Orthodox
Recognition1:WBA, WBC and The Ring undisputed
Heavyweight Champion
Fighter2: Joe Bugner
Hometown2:Szőreg, Southern Great Plain, Hungary
Purse2:$500,000
Record2:51–6–1 (30 KO)
Height2:6 ft 4 in
Weight2:230 lb
Style2:Orthodox
Recognition2:European
Heavyweight Champion
Result:Ali defeated Bugner by 15th round Unanimous Decision

Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Bugner II was a professional boxing match contested on 1 July 1975, for the undisputed heavyweight championship.[1]

Background

The 1975 title fight with Bugner was Ali's third title defense since 1974, and was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and remains the only world heavyweight championship fight hosted in the nation's history. Being held in June, the location of the fight was very hot, creating difficulties for both men.[2] The two had fought two years earlier with Ali winning a competitive 12 round Unanimous Decision.

The fight

Despite the heat, Ali performed very well, fighting aggressively against the bigger challenger, forcing Joe against the ropes and clinching to prevent counters and also used his now famous rope-a-dope tactic minimally. Bugner lasted the 15 round distance, and once again neither man was knocked down, but Ali won the fight on points by a comfortable margin.[3]

Aftermath

This was Ali's last fight before the famous Thrilla in Manila, a third fight with Ali's arch-rival Joe Frazier.[4] [5]

Undercard

Confirmed bouts:[6]

Winner LoserWeight division/title belt(s) disputed Result
Lionel Rose Bomber UchidaSuper Feather (10 rounds)Unanimous decision.
Bjorn Rudi Levi ForteHeavyweight (6 rounds)3rd round KO.

Broadcasting

align=center Countryalign=center Broadcaster
KBS 9
BBC[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Bugner (2nd meeting) . boxrec.com . BoxRec . 3 June 2024.
  2. Book: Muhammad Ali: The Glory Years. Felix Dennis . Don Atyeo . miramax books. 238. 2003.
  3. News: On This Day: Muhammad Ali outclassed Joe Bugner to set up third fight with Joe Frazier . Boxing News . 1 July 2016. 5 October 2016.
  4. News: How I gave Ali a white eye . Sydney Morning Herald . 27 January 2007. 5 October 2016.
  5. Book: Facing Ali. Stephen Brunt . The Lyons Press. 149–56. 2002.
  6. Web site: BoxRec - event.
  7. Web site: Ali v Bugner . bbc.co.uk/ . BBC Programme Index . 3 June 2024 . 1 July 1975.