MUHAMMAD ALI vs. OSCAR BONAVENA (Closed Circuit) 

Description : We have here an original super rare official Madison Square Garden Productions/Top Rank Inc closed circuit boxing poster for the 2nd Muhammad Ali AKA Cassius Clay comeback fight for the vacant NABF Heavyweight Title bout held at Madison Square Garden, New York, United States on 7th December 1970.

Ali had recently returned to the ring after a layoff of three and a half years. His layoff was due to his refusal to be drafted into the United States Army and subsequent legal battles. Ali stopped Jerry Quarry on a cut after three rounds on October 26. The following week, it was announced that Ali would fight Oscar Bonavena in New York City on December 7. Ali and Bonavena were fighting for the NABF heavyweight title. Bonavena entered the fight as the WBA's No. 1-ranked heavyweight contender.
Ali predicted he would stop Bonavena in nine rounds. "He'll be mine in nine."

At a pre-fight physical examination, Bonavena asked Ali why he didn't join the Army. Ali told Bonavena that he would tell him during the fight's first clinch. Bonavena called Ali a "big chicken" and started making chicken noises. He then repeatedly called Ali by his pre-Muslim name. "Clay! Clay! !Clay," he said while laughing. Ali yelled to the crowd, "Please! Tell everyone to get to your theatres. I have never had a man that I wanted to whup so bad!"
A crowd of 19,417 at Madison Square Garden produced a gross gate of $615,401.
Going into the 15th round, Referee Mark Cohen had Ali ahead 12-2, Judge Joe Eppey had him in front 10-3-1, and Judge Jack Bloom had him leading 8-5-1. The Associated Press had Ali ahead 7-6-1.
Bonavena was knocked down three times in the 15th round, forcing an automatic stoppage under the three-knockdown rule. It was the only time Bonavena was stopped in his 68-fight pro career.
After the fight, Bonavena told Ali, "Listen, champ, I strong, but you stronger. Frazier never win you." He then turned to the press and said, "This is the champion. . . . He no Chicken."
Ali said, "It was the toughest fight I ever had."

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