Ron Lyle was an American professional boxer. Lyle was a heavyweight boxer, who fought many of the best heavyweights of his era. Lyle was known for his power punching, and for pleasing crowds with his courage and determination inside the ring. Lyle challenged for the WBC and WBA heavyweight titles against champion Muhammad Ali in May 1975, but was unsuccessful after being stopped by Ali in round eleven. Despite his loss to Ali, he is credited for his wins over Buster Mathis, Oscar Bonavena, Jimmy Ellis, Earnie Shavers and Joe Bugner. Lyle's highlight fight was his battle with George Foreman in January 1976, in which Lyle managed to score several knockdowns and badly hurt the former champion, however he eventually was knocked out himself in round five. Foreman has always credited Ron Lyle for giving him his toughest fight of his career, and for being the only boxer to really hurt him in his prime. 

February 12th, 1941 in Dayton  /  Died:   Nov 26th, 2011