Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1980 | midnight
Muhammad Ali surrendered his boxing license to the Nevada State Athletic Commission Monday and promised never to seek another such license in this state again.
Ali, 38, tendered his resignation to the five-member commission at the organization's monthly meeting at the state building. The commission at first refused to accept it and then proceeded to hold a hearing to determine if the former three-time world's heavyweight champ should be retired.
Ali, who had a poor performance on Oct. 2 in a title match with World Boxing Champion Larry Holmes – losing via a 10th round technical knockout – at Caesars Palace, was in danger of losing more that that license by force.
Had Ali been forced to give up his Nevada license – which was to expire Wednesday at midnight – it would have set a precedent for other commissions throughout the world to retire the man who has become a living legend in his sport.
By his resignation, Ali now is free to choose whether he wishes to fight elsewhere – a move sources close to Ali say won't happen, despite rumors that he will fight again.
Plans for Ali to fight European champion John L. Gardner have been discussed.
Early in the day, after entertaining motions from Ali's attorneys, the commission refused to accept the resignation. But while the hearing dragged into the fourth hour and the audience in the hot, small room was watching films of the Holmes-Ali fight, the commission, Ali and his attorneys, apparently reached a "face-saving settlement."
By this agreement, Ali won't even be allowed to spar or put on an exhibition bout in Nevada. However, if Ali chooses, he may apply for a license to promote fights, work or be a manager in this state.
During a break in the hearing, following the NSAC's original rejection of his resignation, Ali told reporters that, "I've set aside two million dollars if this goes to court. I don't feel humiliated, but this is silly. I'll take this to the highest court if I have to. They can't retire me without giving me a chance to prove myself again. Look at all the fighter who were knocked out cold – Ernie Shavers, Ken Norton, John Tate, George Foreman, Joe Frazier – they never tried to retire them."
"I'm not just some ordinary Negro off the street. I'm the most controversial fighter in history. They can't railroad me."
After the NSAC reversed itself, Ali was more subdued in his comments, and he even shook hands with NSAC Chairman Sig Rogich, whom he had joked with during breaks in the long hearing.
"I don't have too many fights left," Ali continued. "But I didn't want to go out being retired. I want to be free to make my own decision."
Chicago's Michael Phenner, one of Ali's three attorneys – Michael Conway of Chicago and Las Vegas' Niels Pearson, the other two – called the result a "satisfactory decision."
Rogich, who earlier said it was "incumbent on us as a commission to set the tone for other commissions," also changed his tune a little.
"I think everyone had a chance to make their point," Rogich said. "We all must give and take a little. For health and safety reasons, the state acted properly. The decision was best for all parties concerned. This hearing wasn't held to embarrass Ali."
Rogich and the commissioners changed their decision after consulting with their attorney Bob Peccole. Asked how strong the state's case would have been if the commission retired Ali then went to court, Rogich declined to comment, calling it a "moot question."
In the actual hearing, Ali spent his time doodling on pieces of paper as the commissioners refused to drop allegations that the fighter had taken thyroid medication prior to the scheduled 15-round Homes fight.
The commissioners also accused Ali of violating the rules when he took pain killers after the fight, but prior to the post-fight urinalysis.
During the hearing, ringside physician Donald Romeo said he had examined Ali more than once before the last fight and found him "in fine physical shape." Romeo added that Ali, "probably took a little more punishment than anyone would have liked to see him take." However, added the physician, Ali still was performing above, "minimum standards."
Ali was lighthearted throughout the morning and afternoon sessions. He joked with the commissioners and other during the breaks, posed for pictures, signed autographs and kissed children.
Prior to the hearing Ali joked, "One bad day on the job, and they're trying to fire me."
