Ep 3. Muhammad and Larry

In the third episode of the first season of 30 for 30, viewers are taken back in time to the year 1980 - a defining moment in the world of boxing, where two giants of the sport, Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes, came head to head in a highly anticipated match famously known as "The Last Hurrah."

The episode, entitled "Muhammad and Larry," follows the events leading up to this historic fight, providing insight into the two men and their personal and professional lives. Muhammad Ali, who was widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time at the peak of his career, was well past his prime by the time this fight rolled around. He had already retired from boxing once before, but returned to the ring due to financial difficulties. The match with Larry Holmes seemed like his final chance for a comeback, and Ali was determined to make it count.

On the other hand, Larry Holmes was a formidable opponent - a skilled boxer who had long been in Ali's shadow. Despite his talent, he had always been overshadowed by the charismatic Ali, and this fight was an opportunity for him to step out of Ali's shadow and cement his status as a legend in his own right. Throughout the episode, we see how both fighters prepared for the fight, with Ali famously boasting that he would "dance" his way to victory against the heavy-hitting Holmes.

As the fight approaches, tensions rise, and the documentary dives into the wider cultural context surrounding it. The match took place at a time of great social and political upheaval in the United States, with the country still grappling with the aftermath of the civil rights movement. Ali was seen as a figurehead in this movement, having famously refused to fight in the Vietnam War and spoken out against racial inequality. In contrast, Holmes was seen as a conservative figure who lacked Ali's outspokenness on these issues.

On the day of the fight, both men entered the ring with something to prove. Ali, despite his declining physical condition, was still determined to show the world that he was the greatest of all time. Holmes, meanwhile, was out to prove that he was more than just Ali's shadow. The fight itself was brutal, with Holmes dominating from the outset. Despite Ali's claims that he would "shock the world," he was no match for Holmes' powerful punches, and the fight was eventually stopped in the eleventh round due to Ali's exhaustion and inability to continue.

In the aftermath of the fight, both men's lives were forever changed. For Ali, it marked the end of an era - he would never fight professionally again and would soon be diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a condition that many attribute to the countless blows he received in the ring throughout his career. Holmes, on the other hand, struggled with the weight of his victory. Despite beating one of the greatest boxers of all time, he was still seen as living in Ali's shadow and never quite achieved the same level of acclaim.

Overall, "Muhammad and Larry" is a gripping portrait of two iconic boxers and the wider cultural context in which they existed. It provides fascinating insight into the mindset and motivations of two legends of the sport, unveiling the inner workings of their psyches as they prepared for one of the most important fights of their careers. It's a must-watch for boxing fans, but also for anyone interested in the intersection of sports and culture.