Muhammad Ali Beats Joe Bugner This Day February 14, 1973

 

 

 

• Muhammad Ali 217¼ lbs
• Joe Bugner 219 lbs
• UD in round 12 of 12
• Location: Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
• Referee: Buddy Basilico
• Judge: Roland Dakin 57-54
• Judge: Lou Tabat 56-53
• Judge: Ralph Mosa 57-52

Notes

The fight took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center before a crowd of 5,700.

Ali entered the ring wearing a jewel-studded robe bearing the inscription “People’s Choice” on the back. It was a gift from Elvis Presley and cost around $3,000.

Ali was an 8 to 1 favorite and predicted a seventh-round KO.

Ali opened a cut over Bugner’s left eye in the first round.

Bugner lost his next bout to Smokin’ Joe Frazier, but he won his next eight fights and got a rematch with Ali for the World Heavyweight Championship in 1975.