Muhammad Ali vs. Buster Mathis

DateNovember 17, 1971

Title(s) on the lineNABF heavyweight title

Tale of the tape

BoxerUnited States Muhammad AliUnited States Buster MathisNickname"The Greatest"HometownLouisville, Kentucky Sledge, MississippiPurse$300,000Pre-fight record32–1 (26 KO)29–2 (20 KO)Age29 years, 10 months28 years, 5 monthsHeight6 ft 3 in (191 cm)6 ft 3 in (191 cm)Weight227 lb (103 kg)256 lb (116 kg)StyleOrthodoxOrthodoxRecognitionNABF heavyweight champion Former undisputed heavyweight champion

Boxer United States Muhammad Ali United States Buster Mathis

Nickname "The Greatest"

Hometown Louisville, Kentucky Sledge, Mississippi

Purse $300,000

Pre-fight record 32–1 (26 KO) 29–2 (20 KO)

Age 29 years, 10 months 28 years, 5 months

Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)

Weight 227 lb (103 kg) 256 lb (116 kg)

Style Orthodox Orthodox

Recognition NABF heavyweight champion Former undisputed heavyweight champion

Result

Ali won via 12th round UD

Muhammad Ali vs. Buster Mathis was a professional boxing match contested on November 17, 1971, for the NABF championship.

Background

Ali joked before the fight that "I'm going to do to Buster what the Indians did to Custer". One of the fight posters promoting the match said "Be there when the Mountain comes to Muhammad".

The fight

Ali dominated the fight throughout and won easily on points. Ali knocked Mathis down twice in the eleventh round and twice again in the final round but refused to move in for a knockout out of compassion for Mathis.

Undercard

Confirmed bouts:

Broadcasting

Country	Broadcaster
Philippines	ABS-CBN
United Kingdom	ITV
United States	ABC

Preceded byvs. Jimmy Ellis	Muhammad Ali's bouts 17 November 1971	Succeeded byvs. Jürgen Blin
Preceded byvs. Jerry Quarry	Buster Mathis's bouts 17 November 1971	Succeeded byvs. Humphrey McBride