Record

Performance TitleMuhammad Ali's Farewell to London - The Magic of Ali
Performance Date29 May 1979
Performance DayTuesday
Performance Time19:30
Main PerformersMuhammad Ali,
John L Gardner,
Kevin Finnegan (Iver, Buckinghamshire),
Abel Cordova (Mexico),
Jimmy Flint (Wapping),
George Sutton (Cardiff),
Charlie Magri (Stepney),
Freddie Gonzales (Mexico),
Johnny Waldron (Poplar),
Greg Evans (Liverpool),
Stan McDermott (Basildon),
Gordon Ferris (Enniskillen),
Sylvester Mittee (Bethnal Green),
Carl Bailey (Manchester) - boxers
Secondary PerformersHarry Davis - whip,
J.Groves,
Tom Powell - timekeepers,
Tim Maloney,
Benny Edwards - seconds,
Mike Jacobs,
Sid Nathan,
Freddie Knowles - referees
Set ListMuhammad Ali v John L Gardner,
Middleweight - Kevin Finnegan (Iver, Buckinghamshire) v Abel Cordova (Mexico),
Featherweight - Jimmy Flint (Wapping) v George Sutton (Cardiff),
Flyweight - Charlie Magri (Stepney) v Freddie Gonzales (Mexico),
Light-Heavyweight - Johnny Waldron (Poplar) v Greg Evans (Liverpool),
Heavyweight - Stan McDermott (Basildon) v Gordon Ferris (Enniskillen),
Light-Welterweight - Sylvester Mittee (Bethnal Green) v Carl Bailey (Manchester)
Performance NotesThis was the last appearance Muhammad Ali made at the Hall boxing.

"ALI'S SHY GOODBYE - Muhammad Ali said farewell to British fight fans at London's Royal Albert Hall last night...but they didn't see a lot of him. The self -styled Greatest went all shy climbing into the ring wearing a headguard and a red tracksuit top. And he kept them on as he boxed seven exhibition rounds with British heavyweight champion John L Gardner. Commonwelth light heavyweight champion Lottie Mwale and Commonwealth Games heavyweight gold medallist Joe Awome. It was no surprise. Even with his lose-fitting top it was obvious he was grossly overweight. And later Ali, now 37, confirmed once again he will never fight seriously again."
(Daily Mirror, 30 May 1979, Pg 27)

"The Greatest Heavyweight - Would you dare call the world champion pot-belly? Well that's exactly what Muhammad Ali is currently sporting. And despite the paunch and new weight of 18st (a good 2st over his fighting weight) the champ still floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee in three exhibition bouts at London's Royal Albert Hall. The display was Ali's way of saying farewell to his British fans. And their verdict...he's still the greates."
(Liverpool Echo, 30 May 1979, Pg 1)

The event was filmed by BBC Television.
Related Archival MaterialProgramme (RAHE/1/1979/82)
Ticket Prices£3.50-£20
URLhttps://thirdlight.royalalberthall.com/pf.tlx/kfOkV6kLmXZcn
Catalogue
Reference NumberTitleDate
RAHE/1/1979/82Muhammad Ali's Farewell to London - The Magic of Ali29 May 1979
Work
Ref NoTitleNo of Performances
Otadugows_XoizMuhammad Ali's Farewell to London - The Magic of Ali1
Performers
CodeName of Performer(s)
DS/UK/11889Ali; Muhammad (17 January 1942-3 June 2016); American heavyweight boxer
DS/UK/9101Gardner; John L (1953-); British boxer
DS/UK/11009Finnegan; Kevin (1948-1980); English middleweight boxer
DS/UK/9028Flint; Jimmy (1952); English actor, playwright, boxer
DS/UK/17248Sutton; George (fl 1975-1981); Welsh featherweight boxer
DS/UK/9695Magri; Charlie (20 July 1956); English boxer
DS/UK/16997Waldron; Johnny (1954-fl 1979); English light heavyweight boxer
DS/UK/10721McDermott; Stan (1953-); English professional boxer
DS/UK/10545Ferris; Gordon (1952-); British heavyweight boxer
DS/UK/11490Mittee; Sylvester (1956-); Saint Lucian/British light welter/welter/light middleweight boxer
DS/UK/18436Cordova; Abel (1956-); Mexican boxer
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