Muhammad Ali had announced his retirement from boxing in mid 1979. Larry Holmes had emerged as his predecessor in the period after, but lacked Ali`s charisma and charm. For whatever the reason, Ali was talking comeback in early 1980. He had ballooned to over 250 lbs., and was enjoying retirement since his decision win over Leon Spinks in September of 1978. However promoters knew he could still draw,and with unheralded John Tate holding the WBA title and Holmes the WBC belt, money was there to be made. Ali went back into light training and Sports Illustrated put him on the cover announcing that he was back that spring. Talk of a fight with John Tate were on the books, but when Tate was knocked out by Mike Weaver on March 31st in Knoxville, Tennessee, Ali put his sights on Larry Holmes.
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