Muhammad Ali landed his last knockout victory 46 years ago today – at 4 a.m. in Munich. Even at the PK there was a lot of excitement beforehand.
In Kinshasa he defeated George Foreman at the “Rumble in the Jungle”, in the Philippines Joe Frazier at the “Thrilla in Manila”. What is less well known: Muhammad Ali also once stopped off in Munich for a title fight.
A similarly snappy name for the fight against Richard Dunn 46 years ago today has not been handed down. It was – one has to admit it with all local patriotism – also not made for eternity. Even if it did make history in its own way.
The German World Champions of 1974 rooted for Ali
It was May 24, 1976, year two after the “Rumble”, year one after the “Thrilla”, Ali continued his well-marketed world championship tour in Germany, where he had defeated Karl Mildenberger ten years earlier.
This time, “The Greatest” made a guest appearance at the Munich Olympic Stadium, an event that attracted many celebrity fans, among them football world champions Sepp Maier, Günter Netzer and Paul Breitner, as well as skiing favourite Rosi Mittermaier.
The Munich society had to change their sleep rhythm for Ali, the first ring gong of the Ali fight did not strike until 3.26 a.m. local time. The fact that the live broadcast to the USA had prime time there was more important to the promoters than the needs of the German fans.
Ali nevertheless did his best in his usual manner to provide entertainment for all viewers.
Richard Dunn mocked as “Frankenstein “
Opponent Dunn, who had been crowned European champion a month earlier against Germany’s Bernd August, became the target of Ali’s creative games in the run-up to the match, just like Frazier, Foreman and Co. had been. The now 76-year-old from Leeds was mocked by Ali as “Frankenstein”, alluding to his somewhat unflattering appearance and lack of agility.
At a press conference where the two exchanged trash talk, Ali even suddenly grabbed Dunn by the collar in front of the stunned reporters. But it was quite obvious that it was a gimmick to heat up the fight, Dunn was also amused instead of incensed.
Another marketing measure by Ali – whose press entourage at the time included the young Waldemar Hartmann – was show trainings at the famous Circus Krone. Ten D-mark entrance fees helped Ali earn four million marks from the fight.
Muhammad Ali landed his last knockout in Munich
Sportingly it was a clear-cut affair, although Ali was clearly not at his best after a gruelling third fight against Frazier, it was still easily enough for Dunn.
After a total of five knockdowns against the Brit, the referee stopped the fight in the fifth round. It was the last knockout victory for Ali, two years before Leon Spinks, who died this year, disenchanted him.
Dunn, who became a scaffolder after his boxing career, nevertheless looked back on the fight “with great pleasure” in a 2016 TV interview. The honour of having met the greatest of all time was beyond him.
