Zane: Eye Witness to Muhammad Ali Fighting a Denver Bronco

Muhammad Ali fought Denver Bronco Lyle Alzado in Mile High Stadium. Any one who has followed football for very long knows just how rabid the Denver Bronco fans could be. This was particularly true when they played the Oakland Raiders at Mile High Stadium.

During the 1970's, Denver Bronco fans had been waiting for a very long time for a great team. That team would be delivered to them along with one great character and fierce defensive end, Lyle Alzado. The bigger than life bearded man, who attended a small college in Yankton South Dakota, had become a huge fan favorite.

It was the time of John Madden, Evil Knievel, Lynn Swan and the Denver Bronco "Orange Crush Defense."

Muhammad Ali "The Greatest" needs no introduction. By the time of this fight, Ali had beaten all the great heavyweights willing to step into the ring with him. Colorful as always, he fought a Japanese wrestler. My recollection of that match is that the wrestler just lay on his back and kicked Muhammad Ali's legs. Ali announced his retirement in the month before this fight.

Alzado had written a book after the Broncos went to their first Super Bowl. I remember one thing about reading the book distinctly. It turns out Lyle Alzado had grown up in Brooklyn. He got in a lot of fights and had a reputation as the baddest cat in town.

Alzado described in his book how it feels differently to get stabbed, than to get sliced. I think he said when you get sliced you get faint, but when you get stabbed you don't notice it right away. I guess you could say he was the Fifty Cent of his day.

So it was these two great athletes who were even better at self promotion. Alzado had been a State Golden Gloves Champ and talked a tough game. He claimed he was going to become a pro boxer. Everyone in Denver wanted to believe he would beat Ali.

There was a great crowd at Mile High Stadium the day of the fight. I recall it being near full, if not sold out. Our seats were high in the stadium and afforded us a good view of the gladiators as they entered the ring. No one knew what would happen. Both were unpredictable and tough.

Muhammad Ali was a world class showman. I have no doubt though that the burlap tough Alzado who worked his way up from the streets, wanted to land a knockout punch. Alzado at first was a little cautious.

Then Lyle Alzado went after Muhammad Ali. I remember thinking that I wouldn't want to get hit by one of his punches. Ali landed some punches on Alzado, but I don't think he wanted to hurt him. Alzado on the other hand, seemed determined to knock Muhammad Ali out.

Lyle Alzado landed a few hard blows actually, which while not stunning Ali, did seem to make him want to hit Alzado harder. Ali basically worked Alzado over at will. Neither man was knocked down. I don't remember who they said won, if anyone.

Sadly, Alzado has passed away. He developed a brain tumor which he blamed on steroids before he died.

Both Muhammad Ali and Lyle Alzado had the heart of a lion and the showmanship of P.T. Barnum.

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