| Main Performers | Muhammad 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 Performers | Harry Davis - whip,
J.Groves,
Tom Powell - timekeepers,
Tim Maloney,
Benny Edwards - seconds,
Mike Jacobs,
Sid Nathan,
Freddie Knowles - referees |
| Set List | Muhammad 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 Notes | This 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 Material | Programme (RAHE/1/1979/82) |