The Greatest Is Gone

An era ends as an aging Ali yields his crown

For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground,

And tell sad stories of the death of kings:

How some have been deposed, some slain in war.

Some haunted by the ghosts they have depos 'd...

—Shakespeare, King Richard II

"We have a split decision," Ring Announcer Chuck 'Hull proclaimed, and absolute silence fell over the plush Las Vegas boxing emporium where Muhammad Ali and Leon Spinks had struggled through 15 lashing rounds to claim sport's most special crown. "Judge Art Lurie: 143-142, Ali. Judge Lou Tabat: 145-140, Spinks....

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