Description
There are so many people who say Muhammad Ali was three times World Heavyweight Champion, I do understand why they say this but in all honesty he was a four times World Heavyweight Champion and here’s the reason why.
Muhammad Ali won the WBC and WBA titles from Sonny Liston on February 25th 1964. Because Muhammad agreed to give Sonny a rematch against the WBA’s wishes, they stripped him from their version of the title which I’m sure we all agree should not have happened.
On March 5th 1965, Ernie Terrell and Eddie Machen fought for the vacant WBA title. Terrell won and became the WBA World Heavyweight Champion. Muhammad wanted back his WBA title but didn’t get to fight Ernie Terrell until February 2nd 1967. After beating Terrell, Muhammad won the WBA title and unifying the World Heavyweight Championship for a 2nd time.
Because of Muhammad’s refusal of not going into the Vietnam war, the authorities stripped him from both of his titles and wasn’t allowed to fight again until 1970. Muhammad fought George Foreman on October 30th 1974 which was known as “The Rumble in the Jungle”. Muhammad beat George Foreman and became WBC and WBA World Heavyweight Champion for a 3rd time.
On February 25th 1978, Muhammad lost the WBC and WBA Championship to Leon Spinks. The new champion agreed to give Muhammad a rematch against the WBC’s wishes. The WBC stripped Leon Spinks from their title and gave it to Ken Norton which he lost to Larry Holmes. On September 15th 1978, Muhammad Ali beat Leon Spinks and won back the WBA World Heavyweight Championship.
Muhammad won and unified the WBC and WBA Championship three times but he won the WBA version four times, making him four times World Heavyweight Champion.
