Ali's Greatest Fights: ESPN

In October of 1980, Muhammad Ali was preparing to fight for an unprecedented fourth heavyweight title against his friend and former sparring partner Larry Holmes. To say that the great Ali was in the twilight of his career would be generous. Most of his admiring fans, friends and fight scribes considered his bravado delusional. What was left for him to prove? In the weeks of training before the fight, documentarians Albert and David Maysles took an intimate look at Ali trying to convince the world and perhaps himself, that he was still The Greatest. At the same time, they documented the mild-mannered and undervalued champion Holmes as he confidently prepared to put an end to the career of a man for whom he had an abiding and deep affection for. In the raw moments after Ali's humbling in this one sided fight, it was not fully comprehended what the Maysles brothers had actually captured on film, and due to unexpected circumstances the Maysles footage never received a public screening or airing. However, in the intervening years, the magnitude of this footage is now clear. An era ended when the braggadocio and confidence were stripped away in the ring, and the world's greatest hero was revealed to be a man. Here for the first time is the unseen filmed build up to that fight, accompanied by freshly shot interviews by Albert Maysles with members from both the Ali and Holmes camps, as well as others who were prime witnesses to this poignant foolhardy attempt at courage.

The Thrilla in Manila will always be remembered as one of the greatest boxing matches ever to take place. Ali vs. Frazier III, would be bigger and more significant than their previous two bouts. This one was for supremacy. This one was winner take all.

Muhammad Ali regains his heavyweight crown against undefeated George Foreman. Ali uses the rope-a-dope to tire out Foreman and regain the heavyweight title.

Muhammad Ali defended his title against challenger Chuck Wepner. The first four rounds were close as Ali apparently didn't take this fight seriously but the champion would finally score a 15th round knockout to silence his critics.

Muhammad Ali fought Zora Folley in 1967 at Madison Square Garden.

Muhammad Ali showed why he is regarded as the greatest boxer of all time in this brutal bout against Ron Lyle. Behind on points and heading for defeat, Ali unleashed a devastating flurry of punches that floored his opponent and won the fight.

Muhammad Ali was the greatest boxer to ever live and when he spoke his mind it made for some of the best theater in American sports. Here is some memorable interviews and exclamations that made Ali - The King of Trash Talk.