NY Times: Madison Square Garden Ring Out For Count After 82 Years

[Faygo Kid]

"Laaadees and gennntlemen. Welcome to Madison Square Garden, and a 15-round bout for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. . ."

Many here don't like boxing, but this is history. Louis and Ali were American icons (I adored Ali from the time I lost 10 cents betting on Sonny Liston in 7th grade, first fight - I remember it well). He made me think when he was stripped of his belt in his prime for three years, and his courage continues to inspire me, both past and present. So go ahead and take your shots at boxing; I expect it, but Ali is one of my heroes, and not just for the guts he showed in the ring. Anyway, here is the article:

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The boxing ring at Madison Square Garden, where Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali plied their trade, went down for the count on Wednesday.

The ring, scene of hundreds of world championship bouts, was officially retired by Garden officials, who are donating the 82-year-old sports relic to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. . .

Former heavyweight champion Frazier fought 10 times in the ring. His 1971 bout against Ali, the first of their three battles, is considered one of the Garden's greatest events. . .

"I hurt him two or three times in every round in '71," Frazier told Reuters of his 15-round points victory.

"I'd go back in my corner and say, 'What's wrong with this man, what's holding him up?' And they said, 'go right back where you left off.'

"There were great moments in the Garden."
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/sports/sports-boxing-ring.html

[Poiuyt]

1. I hate to see historic icons go down

Aren't they planning on replacing Yankee Stadium also? I was so glad that the Packers were able to improve Lambeau Field instead of replacing it.

[Captain Hilts]

2. I've been to the IBHoF. Kinda neat. This ring will be cool.

And I don't even like boxing!