Photos: The day Muhammad Ali fought in Atlanta

Sports

Muhammad Ali's return to the ring after he was stripped of the World Heavyweight Championship and had his boxing license suspended after he refused to be inducted into the U.S. Army happened 45 years ago at Atlanta's Municipal Auditorium.

Heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali makes a point during a news conference in Atlanta promoting his return to the ring in 1970. Ali's first fight since he was stripped of the World Heavyweight Championship and had his boxing license suspended after he refused to be inducted into the U.S. Army in 1967 took place Oct. 26, 1970, at Atlanta's Municipal Auditorium. | Learn more about that night on MyAJC

With the help of Georgia State Sen. Leroy Johnson, the fight between Muhammad Ali and Jerry Quarry was arranged for Oct. 26, 1970, in Atlanta.

A sellout crowd of 5,100 were in attendance Oct. 26, 1970, at Atlanta Municipal Auditorium as former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali made his return to the ring to face title contender Jerry Quarry.

During the promotion tour for the 15-round, non-title fight in Atlanta, Muhammad Ali had some time for a public appearance with Braves slugger Hank Aaron.

Muhammad Ali holds a press conference in Atlanta to discuss his return to the ring for first fight since he was stripped of the World Heavyweight Championship and had his boxing license suspended after he refused to be inducted into the U.S. Army in 1967. Ali's first fight in 3-1/3 years would take place at Atlanta's Municipal Auditorium.

Muhammad Ali's first fight since he was stripped of the World Heavyweight Championship and had his boxing license suspended after he refused to be inducted into the U.S. Army in 1967 came 3-1/2 years later at Atlanta's Municipal Auditorium.

Heavyweight boxers Jerry Quarry (left) and Muhammad Ali face each other at a ringside table following their physical examinations Oct. 21, 1970, in Atlanta. The two were poised to meet in a 15-round, non-title fight Oct. 26. Quarry was the No. 1 heavyweight contender at the time.

Muhammad Ali is against the ropes in the third round bout with Jerry Quarry (blue trunks) Oct. 26, 1970, at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium. Quarry was sporting a cut over his left eye from a right hook from Ali which happened in the second round.

A sellout crowd of 5,100 watched inside Atlanta's old Municipal Auditorium as Muhammad Ali pounded Jerry Quarry (blue trunks) on Oct. 26, 1970. The fight was shown on closed circuit TV in 206 locations in the United States and Canada. It was also beamed live to Asia, Australia, Europe and South America.

Muhammad Ali hits a hard right to Jerry Quarry during their fight Oct. 26, 1970, in Atlanta. The fight was stopped after the third round and Ali was declared the winner.

Promoter Leroy Johnson and his wife, Cleopatra, pose with former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali. Johnson, a Georgia State senator at the time, arranged for Ali's return to the ring in Atlanta in 1970.

Jerry Quarry pats Muhammad Ali on the chest as referee Tony Perez waves his arms to signal the end of the fight. Ali, who was guaranteed $200,000 from the purse, was declared the winner after Quarry didn't answer the bell for the fourth round. Quarry was guaranteed $150,000.

Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali receives congratulations from Dr. Ralph Abernathy, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and Coretta Scott King, widow of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, after Ali's defeat of Jerry Quarry on Oct. 26, 1970. Coretta Scott King presented Ali with the Martin Luther King Sports Medallion.

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Heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali makes a point during a news conference in Atlanta promoting his return to the ring in 1970. Ali's first fight since he was stripped of the World Heavyweight Championship and had his boxing license suspended after he refused to be inducted into the U.S. Army in 1967 took place Oct. 26, 1970, at Atlanta's Municipal Auditorium. | Learn more about that night on MyAJC

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