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Always undersized for a heavyweight, Ali made good use of his speed and technical boxing skill. His skills started to erode quickly once he reached a certain age and he lost his title to a lightly regarded [[Leon Sphinx]], who went on to become a footnote in history. Ali took the title back in lackluster decision, but retired soon thereafter. He tried to make a comeback against then champion [[Larry Holmes]], but out of shape and past his best fighting years, Ali's corner threw in the towel between rounds in the middle of the fight.
Always undersized for a heavyweight, Ali made good use of his speed and technical boxing skill. His skills started to erode quickly once he reached a certain age and he lost his title to a lightly regarded [[Leon Sphinx]], who went on to become a footnote in history. Ali took the title back in lackluster decision, but retired soon thereafter. He tried to make a comeback against then champion [[Larry Holmes]], but out of shape and past his best fighting years, Ali's corner threw in the towel between rounds in the middle of the fight.
After his boxing career, Ali was diagnosed with [[Parkinsons disease]]. Whether this was caused by his boxing is currently a subject of debate.
After his boxing career, Ali was diagnosed with [[Parkinson's disease]]. Whether this was caused by his boxing is currently a subject of debate.
Ali was not without controversy in his career. In his rematch with [[Sonny Liston]] after taking the heavyweight title for the first time, Ali knocked out Liston in the first round with what has come to be called a "phantom punch". In other words no one is exactly sure what made Liston go down, but it doesn't appear to have been Ali.
Ali was not without controversy in his career. In his rematch with [[Sonny Liston]] after taking the heavyweight title for the first time, Ali knocked out Liston in the first round with what has come to be called a "phantom punch". In other words no one is exactly sure what made Liston go down, but it doesn't appear to have been Ali.