Remembering the night when Muhammad Ali was knocked down three times - on Wearside
Ali hit the canvas three times during his bouts but charity was the real winner
He was ‘The Greatest’ but he had quite the night when he came to Wearside.
That’s Muhammad Ali who boxed four different fighters in one evening during an exhibition in Washington on this day in 1977.
The Sporting Club of Washington was the venue and first up was Reg Long with Ali apparently ‘going through the motions’ throughout the fight.
Next in the ring was Bruce Wells and this fight was said to be similar to Ali’s but with Reg Long, although the Sunderland Echo described it as ‘an experience they will surely treasure’.
Third in the ring with Muhammad was Johnny Walker who Ali ‘had a playful three minutes with’.
Last up was Richard Dunn who was no stranger to the American. The two had fought for the WBC and WBA titles just over a year earlier in Germany and Ali won in five rounds after being knocked down several times.
Dunn, the former British, Commonwealth and European champion, was ‘really looking forward’ to renewing the rivalry.
He later explained more when he attended a huge banquet in Newcastle’s Mayfair Ballroom . Ali told the audience how the trip’s organising committee had sent him 14 return air tickets.
He said: "When I’m in a big fight, I accept air tickets and accommodation because the promoters are making a lot of money, but this is for charity so I can’t accept all this. I am giving back the money for the tickets and that is around £7,000.
"I just want to do all I can for your youngsters."
He had a tremendous week-end in the North East and also visited South Tyneside.
He had agreed to a four-day visit to raise funds for boys’ clubs on the suggestion of ex-South Shields boxer Johnny Walker.
Thousands packed the streets of Jarrow and South Shields to see Ali pass by in an open-topped bus on his way to have his marriage blessed in the town’s mosque.
Tell us if you got to see Ali during the North East visit - and also if you remember who won each of the bouts. Share your memories by emailing [email protected]