Muhammad Ali Record: Top Five Most Memorable Knockout Wins

1. George Foreman – October 30, 1974

Muhammad Ali met 25-year-old big-punching George Foreman in what was named the Rumble in the Jungle. Ali had lost speed since his 20s while “Big George” was bulldozing his way through the heavyweight division.

Ali started quickly throwing right crosses at his opponent. During the following round, we saw the “Rope-a-dope,” with Ali taunting Foreman, who fired in angry punches, which Ali deflected and avoided.

“Big George” began to tire as we reached the middle rounds, with Ali taking over, landing eye-catching combinations – before he dropped a tired Foreman, with “Big George” unable to beat the count, giving Ali a memorable eighth-round KO victory.

2. Joe Frazier – October 1, 1975

This would be no kind of list without the memorable “Thrilla in Manila,” held on October 1, 1975. It was the third fight between the two, and Ali started the trilogy bout aggressively, trading shots with “Smokin’ Joe.”

The “rope-a-dope” strategy was soon in play, with Ali countering effectively, but Joe Frazier was clearly the aggressor.

As we entered the championship rounds, Frazier began to tire, with Ali landing several vicious shots, damaging the right eye of “Smokin’ Joe.” Ali dominated rounds 12,13 and 14, landing on Frazier at will.

The punishment was deemed too much as Frazier’s trainer refused to allow him out for the 15th and final round.

3. Sonny Liston – February 25, 1964

On Feb 25, 1964, Cassius Clay went into the fight against Sonny Liston as an underdog, but we were about to see an example of why he was known as “The Greatest.”

Liston seemingly fed up with Ali’s trash-talking in the build-up, flew at the “The Louisville Lip” from the opening bell, but he was met by the speed and mobility of his opponent. Clay’s speed enabled him to avoid many of Liston’s attacks while countering effectively.

Clay managed to survive trouble in round five, continuing his domination in round six, landing heavy punches on his opponent, who was unable to answer the bell for the seventh round, and Clay was declared the winner by TKO. This was dominant from Clay as he made Liston look slow and clumsy.

4. Zora Folley – March 22, 1967

On March 22, 1967, Muhammad Ali defeated Zora Folley and retained his WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles. Despite little pockets of success for Zolley, Ali was mainly dominant.

“The Greatest” showcased his fast hand speed and dazzling footwork, which helped overwhelm his brave opponent. Zolley tried to work off his jab, but his success was few and far between.

A knockdown in round four came from a brilliantly timed right cross, leaving Folley face-down on the canvas. Another knockdown occurred in round seven, which left the challenger unable to beat the count.

5. Oscar Bonavena – December 7, 1970

In only his second fight back after three years out of the ring after refusing to be inducted into the armed forces, Ali faced the granite chin of Argentine heavyweight Oscar Bonavena.

Despite only being his second fight after three years away, Ali was too slick for the Argentine as he used his jab effectively and moved well.

Bonavena had success in the middle rounds, working the body of a tired Ali, who was spending more and more time against the ropes.

Round nine was entertaining as both landed big shots before “The Greatest” went back into his defensive stance against the ropes. Bonavena continued to unload in round 15 before Ali caught him with a left hook, knocking the Argentine down.

The Louisville native knocked the Argentine down again before a third knockdown ended the fight, which made Ali the only person to stop Bonavena.