Muhammad Ali vs Alejandro Lavorante

Venue: Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California. 20th July, 1962.

Cassius Clay took the chance to return to Los Angeles and meet up with his friend Howard Bingham, enjoying again the chance to cross swords with the media. The 'Louisville Lip' predicted a 5th round victory over Alejandro Lavorante, who had by far and away the best credentials of any fighter Clay had faced. Many of the reporters felt Lavorante might well be the man to bring Cassius Clay back down to earth. Lavorante was a big Argentinian who had reached as high as number three in the rankings. He had lost only narrowly to Archie Moore and had defeated Zora Folley.

After his lacklustre performance against Daniels, everything was in perfect working order for Clay in this fight before a 12,000 crowd - testimony to his drawing power on the West Coast. Lavorante immediately went to the body of Clay, landing some digging hooks that alerted Clay to his prescence.

Lavorante quickly was made to wish he had kept a lower profile. Clay simply battered him in a sublime exhibition of boxing. Lavorante was wobbled in the second round and then found he could not keep Clay's jab out of his eyes. Soon he was tired and bleeding before hitting the canvas twice in round four. Exactly on cue in round five, a right hand left Lavorante unable to continue.

In the crowd Clay spotted Archie Moore. Still buzzing from his victory, he taunted the veteran, yelling, 'You're next, old man!'

Sadly Lavorante in his next fight against Johnny Riggins sustained serious head injuries and after being in a coma for more than a year, passed away.

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