Speedendurance.com

Posted: 29 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT

What does Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay have to do with Muhammad Ali?

Simple.

With Tyson not eligible for Team USA for the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, you have to ask when will Usain Bolt and Tyson Gay meet again? The 2012 London Olympics?

Can Zurich (i.e. the biggest meet after the World Championships) afford to have the top 3 in the line up for the 100 meters?

Memories of Muhammad Ali

Their head to head competition reminds me of Muhammad Ali. Let's take a look at some of Ali's losses, and his rematches where he eventually won.

Muhammad Ali lost to Joe Frazier in an unanimous decision on March 8, 1971, followed by two victories on January 28, 1974 (unanimous decision) and October 1, 1975 (TKO). That's 1057 and 611 days respectively!

Muhammad Ali lost to Ken Norton in a split decision on March 31, 1973, followed by two victories on September 10, 1973 (another split decision) and on September 28, 1976 (unanimous decision). That's 163 and 1114 days!

Muhammad Ali lost to Leon Spinks in a split decision on February 15, 1978, followed by a unanimous decision on September 15, 1978. Only 212 days between fights on this case.

The 100 meters in Track and field is starting to resemble heavyweight boxing. Just too few head to head meetings where a single loss can drop your earning potential after every race.

And when you see Tyson Gay limp off the field after every race, you have to wonder how many races he has left in his body.