This day in NY sports history

THIS DAY IN NY SPORTS HISTORY

Wednesday, March 22, 1967

Ali defends title at MSG, last fight for 3 years

Muhammad Ali successfully defended his WBC heavyweight championship for the ninth time, knocking out Zora Folley at 1:48 in the seventh round at Madison Square Garden. The win upped Ali's record to 29-0, but it would be his last championship bout for more than three years. He was stripped of his title and had his boxing license suspended the following month for his refusal to be drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Ali didn't fight again professionally until he faced Jerry Quarry in October 1970.