54 years ago

Date: 22nd March 1967

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA

Title: WBC & WBA World Heavyweight Titles

Tv: RKO General and Madison Square Garden

Muhammad Ali
( 28 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 211 1/2 lbs

Zora Folley
( 74 - 7 - 4 )
Weight: 202 1/2 lbs

Ali knocked out Folley in the 7th round of their WBC & WBA World Heavyweight Title fight at Madison Square Garden, New York in front of a crowd of 13,780.

Referee Johnny LoBianco counting Folley out at 1:48 of the 7th round.

After the fight, Folley commented "There is no one around today who can beat him. I should know, I've fought them all."

Ali would not fight again for another 3 years due to his refusal to be drafted into the American Army and fight in Vietnam.

He officially retired on 1970-02-01 to allow the winner of the upcoming Joe Frazier vs Jimmy Ellis unification bout to be considered the undisputed champion.