Cassius Clay vs. Tunney Hunsaker was a professional boxing match contested on October 29, 1960. It was the first professional bout contested by Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay).
Background In his professional debut, 1960 Olympic light heavyweight boxing champion Cassius Clay fought Tunney Hunsaker in a six-round match. The fight was advertised as having proceeds go towards Kosair Crippled Children Hospital.
The fight
Clay won the bout through a unanimous decision on points, winning every round. Hunsaker's nose began to bleed in the third round and a cut opened over his eye in the fourth. Despite this, The Courier-Journal described the fight as "neither fighter ever had the other in trouble and gave the crowd of 6,180 little to cheer about".
Aftermath Hunsaker commented of Clay after the fight, "He's awfully good for an 18 year old and as fast as a middleweight", but also said he thought he won the first and last rounds and that Clay never hurt him at any time.
Hunsaker was a part-time boxer who was for many years a respected police officer in Fayetteville, West Virginia. He also helped to train young fighters, and he and Ali were friends for many years afterwards. In a 1980 Sports Illustrated article, Hunsaker said he didn't agree with Ali's refusal to be drafted during the Vietnam War, but that he still respected him greatly as a fighter and as a man.
Undercard Confirmed bouts:
References