Muhammad Ali in Ireland: Croker bout, hurling, and the wee Corkman

The fight itself certainly didn’t set the world on fire, but Muhammad Ali’s bout in Croke Park in 1972 was a sideshow for many who were simply in awe at having the man himself on their doorstep.

In fact, while Ali’s was arguably the most famous face in the world at the time, the fight itself against Al “Blue” Lewis failed to draw the crowds and less than 19,000 people turned up to see history made flesh.

Thousands simply jumped over the wall at Croke Park or were let in by security staff who were not particularly overtaxing themselves.