Heavyweight Contender
Gardner then signed a contract to fight Muhammad Ali, the legendary Heavyweight Champion of the World. The fighters were scheduled to fight in Hawaii, but Ali backed out of the deal, retiring. He did however in the late 1970s fight a televised 3 round exhibition with Ali in London. Ali clearly got the upper hand but it was interesting an a big moment for British fans. In 1981 Gardner traveled to Detroit, Michigan, to fight the fast moving top rated Michael Dokes.
Gardner kept his pace with the undefeated American boxer, and although Gardner had the better fighting record but against lesser opponents, Dokes was in his prime and the Englishman was knocked out after four rounds. Gardner soon retired at age 28, taking a year off but he made an attempted comeback. He defeated American fringe fighters Ricky James and Lou Benson, Jr before being knocked out in two rounds with Noel Quarless. Gardner retired in 1983 aged 31, with a record of 39 fights, 35 wins, 29 knockouts, and only 4 losses during his boxing career.
Read more about this topic: John L. Gardner