THREE months after beating Oscar Bonavena in December 1970, Muhammad Ali stepped into the ring with Joe Frazier in the biggest fight in the sport’s history. Ninety-one days in which contracts were signed, purses were agreed, and ample publicity was generated. Both were to pick up at least $2.5m, then-record fees for athletes of any kind.
It was simpler back then. Boxers by and large fought their closest rivals to ascertain who was the best instead of squabbling for too long about who was the biggest draw. And because the best rivalries were being settled, the sport was appealing to the public; it was reported at the time that more people saw Frazier beat Ali than had watched Apollo 11 land on the moon two years before.
As we go to press, Tyson
