Re-hashing over-the-hill stars could destroy boxing

THERE’S a tale, probably apocryphal, that has long done the rounds of the boxing fraternity which is intended to highlight the depth of rivalry between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

The story goes that long after the pair had retired from the ring they met at the opening of a gym in Los Angeles, where Frazier, still burned by Ali’s Uncle Tom jibes of over a decade previously, saw a chance to settle the score.

Frazier challenged Ali to a punch contest on the heavy bag, conscious that Ali, beset by the onset of Parkinsons, could not hope to match him, thus supposedly declaring Frazier the long-term winner of their duel.