Thomas Aiello
Professor of history and Africana studies who researches sports, race, and civil rights; author of Return of the King about Muhammad Ali's 1970 comeback and Atlanta's role in that event.
Best podcasts with Thomas Aiello
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Jan 30, 2026 • 49min
Thomas Aiello, "Return of the King: The Rebirth of Muhammad Ali and the Rise of Atlanta" (U Nebraska Press, 2025)
Thomas Aiello, a history and Africana studies professor who studies sports, race, and civil rights, tells how Muhammad Ali’s 1970 comeback unfolded in Atlanta. He explores Atlanta’s rising Black political power, Leroy Johnson’s deal-making role, and the spectacle and stakes of Ali vs. Jerry Quarry. The story links a short, dramatic fight to Ali’s rebirth and Atlanta’s ascent.
