1977 was a year of more demons, epiphanies, more decay, more denial, so many crazy fights and nights. Muhammad Ali was still the champion, he made two defences but men in high boxing places were plotting his end: scheming to put in place a multi-title future that would forever dilute the...

When 1976 started, there had been murmurs of discontent about Muhammad Ali. People were talking about him quitting, men and women in the Ali business and onlookers had the same opinion: the end was surely getting closer. Ali would have to soon leave the sport he owned. Or that was the thinking.

In 1978 the heavyweight boxing landscape changed forever. The old, the young, the obscure, the fatal dreamers and the relentless schemers all came together to make it unforgettable. The rumours from 1977 were true: Muhammad Ali would defend his world heavyweight championship against Leon Spinks:...