A Live Special ABC TV Broadcast.
Matches include Ken Norton vs. Ron Stander, Muhammed Ali vs Jimmy Young, Howard Cosell is the host.
Muhammad Ali (50-2) defends his heavyweight championship against Jimmy Young (17-4-2) in a 15 round bout at Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland.
The questionable credentials of Ali's most recent foe, Jean-Pierre Cooperman, prompted some sports writers to wonder whether Al had embarked upon a "bum of the month" campaign, as Joe Louis did 25 years ago. Louis defended his title against mostly unranked opponents eight times between December 1940 and September 1941).
Young is no Cooperman, as his no. 3 rating by Ring Magazine attests. A polished stand-up boxer with an effective left jab (one of Ali's best weapons as well). Young rose to prominence in the heavyweight division when he beat sixth-ranked Ron Lyle in February 1975. Since then Young has worn three fights, two by KO.
In the preliminary bout, top-ranked heavyweight contender Ken Norton faces Ron Stander. Howard Cosell reports at ring side.