Boxing Only


49 years ago

Muhammad Ali vs Ron Lyle

Date: 16th May 1975

Venue: Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Title: WBC & WBA World Heavyweight Titles

Promoter: Don King Productions, Mel Greb

Referee: Ferd Hernandez

Tv: Closed Circuit Television

Muhammad Ali
( 46 - 2 - 0 )
Weight: 224½ lbs

Ron Lyle
( 30 - 2 - 1 )
Weight: 219 lbs


On May 16, 1975, Muhammad Ali defended his WBC and WBA heavyweight titles against Ron Lyle at the Las Vegas, Nevada Convention Centre. The bout, promoted by Don King Productions and Mel Greb, attracted significant attention, as Lyle was one of the division's most dangerous punchers. Referee Ferd Hernandez oversaw the contest, which was broadcast via closed-circuit television to audiences worldwide.

Ali entered the ring with a professional record of 46 wins and 2 losses, weighing 224½ pounds. Ron Lyle, a formidable and rugged opponent with a record of 30 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, tipped the scales at 219 pounds. Known for his heavy hands and resilience, Lyle was viewed as a serious threat to Ali's reign.

The fight began cautiously, with both men measuring each other in the early rounds. Ali, as expected, relied on his jab and movement to keep Lyle at range while Lyle attempted to find openings to unleash his powerful right hand. The champion danced and moved, occasionally landing sharp combinations, but Lyle's defensive posture and patience made him a difficult target.

By the middle rounds, the fight had become a tense tactical battle. Lyle refused to overcommit, avoiding the mistakes Ali often capitalized on. Instead, he focused on countering Ali's jabs and landed occasional hooks to the body. While maintaining his movement, Ali seemed slightly hesitant to fully engage, aware of the danger posed by Lyle's punching power.

In the 11th round, the fight took a dramatic turn. Sensing that Lyle was beginning to tire, Ali increased his output, throwing flurries of punches while keeping a safe distance. The champion's famous ability to exploit an opponent's fatigue became evident as Lyle's responses grew slower. Ali unleashed a barrage of punches that left Lyle unable to defend himself effectively. Referee Ferd Hernandez stopped the fight at 1:08 of the 11th round, declaring Ali the winner by technical knockout.

The stoppage was met with some debate, with Lyle's corner arguing that their fighter was still capable of continuing. However, the referee's decision stood, and Ali retained his heavyweight titles.

After the fight, Ali praised Lyle's toughness, admitting that the challenger had given him one of his most difficult fights. "He was strong, and he was smart. I had to wait for him to tire before I could take him out," Ali said in his post-fight interview.

Despite the loss, Ron Lyle earned widespread respect for his performance. His ability to stand toe-to-toe with Ali for nearly eleven rounds solidified his reputation as one of the most formidable heavyweights of his era.


Muhammad Ali vs Ron Lyle on YouTube


Muhammad Ali vs Ron Lyle



Related Links