Wilt Chamberlain and Muhammad Ali are two legends of their own time, and they one decided to size each other up for a potential fight.
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Wilt’s career was defined by dominance. There was simply no NBA player in the same league as him when he played for the Warriors back in the day.
Of course, everyone is well aware of his untouchable record of 100 points in a single game, and everyone also knows about his monstrous season when he averaged 50.4 points per game and 25.7 rebounds per game, yet another untouchable mark.
However, Wilt’s dominance also came with the tagline that he was an ’empty stats’ player as he hadn’t won a championship despite putting those ridiculous scoring numbers. People labeled his style of play selfish, and it wasn’t until he joined Philadelphia, changed his style of play, and won a ring that he lost that label. He would of course win another with the Lakers in 1972.
On this date in 1962: Wilt Chamberlain. 100. pic.twitter.com/yqkTqyUc68
— Honest☘️Larry (@HonestLarry1) March 2, 2021
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Wilt Chamberlain and Muhammad Ali almost fought each other in 1971
The former Warriors and Lakers star almost took it to one of the greatest boxers ever. In 1971, the 7’1″ Chamberlain challenged the 236 pound Muhammad Ali to a boxing match for his heavyweight title.
There are some incredible stories about Wilt’s strength. He could lift 3,000 pound cars, and he’s lifted Arnold Schwarzenegger with one hand before. So, you can see where he may have gotten the idea to challenge Ali.
The fight was all set to happen at Madison Square Garden and ABC arranged a sports segment with Ali and Chamberlain to announce the fight.
However, the fight didn’t happen, and there have been many theories as to why. One theory suggests that Wilt’s lawyers told him it wasn’t a good business decision.
Wilt’s lawyers told him this isn’t a good business decision. 😂 pic.twitter.com/mvuxllm68j
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) June 15, 2021
Other theories say that Ali scared Wilt out of the fight by yelling ‘Timber’ every moment he could. Wilt would later name his father responsible for the collapse of the fight.
In 1971, Muhammad Ali and Wilt Chamberlain were gonna fight.
Ali had just returned from his three-year absence.
Wilt was 34 and nearly retired from the NBA.
But it was real.
They even agreed on a date/place.
But Ali kept shouting “TIMBER!” at the presser and scared him off. pic.twitter.com/bcPvliDVRF
— Thomas Duffy (@TJDhoops) December 5, 2018
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