Jürgen Blin (born 7 April 1943) was a German boxer. He is best known for fighting Muhammad Ali on 26 December 1971, being knocked out in the seventh round.
Born in Fehmarn and residing in Hamburg, he represented West Germany. Blin's record in the ring was 30-12-6 with eight knockouts.[1] He was greatly admired by German boxing fans for his toughness and stamina in the ring. He was briefly heavyweight champion of Germany after beating Gerhard Zech (he had two draws with him previously).
His first professional bout came against Klaus Krüger in October 1964. Blin won this bout, as well as the next five bouts against domestic opponents, and lost his first professional bout in June 1965 to Ray Patterson in Jordal Amfi.[1]
Blin lost a decision to Joe Bugner in May 1971 when fighting for the European Heavyweight title. Blin later won the title in June 1972, his greatest triumph in the ring, when he beat Jose Urtain (who had beaten Blin for the same title in June 1970). However, in October 1972, Blin once again faced Bugner who retained the title by knocking the German in the eighth round.[1]
The bout against Muhammad Ali happened on 26 December 1971, in Hallenstadion Arena, Zurich. Blin was knocked out in the seventh round, after 2:12 minutes.[1] In 2002, Blin collaborated with author Stephen Brunt on a book called Facing Ali. He said that fighting Ali was the greatest honour of his life.