Bloomington man once fought boxing legend Muhammad Ali

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (KMSP) - Kenny “Sod-Buster” Jay never expected to get the call.

“He said, 'Kenny, you are going to Chicago to take on Muhammad Ali.' I said 'Muhammad Ali!' I was speechless,” said Jay.

The call came in 1976 from a wrestling promoter in Chicago. The plan was to get Jay and another wrestler to fight the already legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. Less than 24 hours later, Jay found himself in the ring with Ali and just two rounds in - he was face down on the mat.

“I dropped my guard and bam, bam and boom, that was it,” said Jay.

Kenny Jay is now 69 years old and lives in Bloomington. The memories of that fight have become the highlight a 50-year career in wrestling.

“You know it was something, it was something I will never forget, never,” said Jay.