ALI STILL RULES THE RING
Former three-time world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammed Ali attended the first-round 54-kg boxing matches. Ali is special guest of the Millennium Games. Photo: Pascal Guyotpa/AFP
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Muhammad Ali dropped by and stole the show as the Olympic boxing ring saw its first action with a new four-round fight format.
Ali interrupted a bantamweight bout between a Georgian and an Armenian when his arrival drew a huge roar from the crowd and all attention from the ring.
Ali embraced his former opponent Joe Bugner, working ringside as a television commentator, and then took a seat next to International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) officials.
Ali's appearance gave a boost to the United States team, who claimed their first victory throufh bantamweight Clarence Vinson. He outpointed French opponent Rachid Bouaita 9-2 in his opening bout, on a day that was otherwise dominated by Russian and eastern European fighters.
PETER WATTS
Sunday Times
