Ali retired four different times.........
The first time was 2/1/1970. He had been suspended for not going to Vietnam but announced his retirement at that time so Joe Frazier and Jimmy Ellis could fight for the legitimate HW title.
The second time was several months following his regaining of the title vs Leon Spinks on June 27, 1979.
In 1980, he made an attempt at becoming HW Champion for the fourth time vs Larry Holmes, WBC Champion on 10/2/1980 but his corner would not allow him to come out after the 10th round(the only time Ali was 'stopped', called an 'RTD' but recorded as a TKO)
In December 11, 1981, he made one more comeback vs future champion Trevor Berbick (most remembered for his KO loss to Tyson years later). Ali was not competitive and retired for the final time.
He was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1984.
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