Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Fight of the Century
Forty years ago tonight, at Madison Square Garden, Muhammad Ali stepped into the ring to reclaim a heavyweight title that had been unjustly stripped from him four years earlier. It was the first of three titanic, brutal fights with Joe Frazier. Ali lost in 15 rounds on a decision. It would take over three more years until he wore the WBA/WBC belts again. Ali & Frazier each collected $2.5 million for the "Fight of the Century" (as it was promoted), an incredible purse at the time.
Ali had a cruel streak as a fighter. Boxing is a cruel sport. He said some reprehensible things about Joe Frazier, an honorable fighter placed in the unfortunate, unwanted position of representing right against left, pro-Vietnam against antiwar, old against young, & most undeservedly, white against black. But since his retirement Ali has lived (& suffered from Parkinson's) with increasing grace, dignity, spiritual wisdom, & a love of humanity. It was only when he stopped fighting, I think, that Ali could give full expression to what was in his heart.
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." Thomas Jefferson
Ali had a cruel streak as a fighter. Boxing is a cruel sport. He said some reprehensible things about Joe Frazier, an honorable fighter placed in the unfortunate, unwanted position of representing right against left, pro-Vietnam against antiwar, old against young, & most undeservedly, white against black. But since his retirement Ali has lived (& suffered from Parkinson's) with increasing grace, dignity, spiritual wisdom, & a love of humanity. It was only when he stopped fighting, I think, that Ali could give full expression to what was in his heart.
Labels: sports
