Muhammad Ali victory in federal court forced the New York State Boxing Commission to reinstate Ali's license. He fought Oscar Bonavena at Madison Square Garden in December, an uninspired performance that ended in a dramatic technical knockout of Bonavena in the 15th round. The win left Ali as a top contender against heavyweight champion Joe Frazier. Ali and Frazier's first fight, held at the Garden on March 8, 1971, was nicknamed the "Fight of the Century", due to the tremendous excitement surrounding a bout between two undefeated fighters, each with a legitimate claim as heavyweight champions. Veteran boxing writer John Condon called
Eddie Martin (boxer) sources erroneously give his year of death as 1968. He had been suffering from a heart condition. He was buried at Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn. Eddie Martin (boxer) "Cannonball" Eddie Martin became the World Bantamweight Champion on December 19, 1924 in a close fifteen round split decision against Abe Goldstein at New York's Madison Square Garden. He held the title only three months, losing decisively to Jewish boxer Charlie "Phil" Rosenberg in a fifteen round unanimous decision on March 20, 1925 in Madison Square Garden. Martin fought many boxers who at one time held titles, including Featherweight and Jr.