There is NO big deal about Cassius Clay in my mind and never will be. Yes, he was a great boxer, no argument there. Yes, he turned his back on his country when many young men went and fought and died for America and he chose to turn his back on his country. That fact in itself reduces him to trash in my book.

 

Cassius Clay (and yes, his name is Cassius Clay) made to be a hero or icon is a sad joke.................Period.

Next time I will tell you how I really feel.

 

 

While I wouldn't go as far as call him "trash", I have little admiration for the man. He is a draft dodger first and foremost IMO, his boxing career means little to me.

There is NO big deal about Cassius Clay in my mind and never will be. Yes, he was a great boxer, no argument there. Yes, he turned his back on his country when many young men went and fought and died for America and he chose to turn his back on his country. That fact in itself reduces him to trash in my book.

 

Cassius Clay (and yes, his name is Cassius Clay) made to be a hero or icon is a sad joke.................Period.

Next time I will tell you how I really feel.

 

See, I can respectfully disagree with this, but understand the sentiment. His refusal to join the military left a bad taste in many people's minds. I think my dad, who fought in Vietnam, is rather ambivalent toward Ali as a result.

 

But to me, he is The Champ. And the type of performer boxing desperately needs to prevent its steady devolution into irrelevance.

There is NO big deal about Cassius Clay in my mind and never will be. Yes, he was a great boxer, no argument there. Yes, he turned his back on his country when many young men went and fought and died for America and he chose to turn his back on his country. That fact in itself reduces him to trash in my book.

 

Cassius Clay (and yes, his name is Cassius Clay) made to be a hero or icon is a sad joke.................Period.

Next time I will tell you how I really feel.

 

This is why I posed the question. I just don't understand those who hold him in such high regard. I've heard more than one person say "The only person I have met that I was in awe of was Muhammad Ali." I just don't get it.

I guess I should have stated that it isn't an issue with me or most people I know.

 

bugatti...ESPN just had a Top 50 list of the greatest boxers of all time regardless of weight. I don't want to spoil seeing the list for anyone, but I will say that Ali was not #1.

 

Here is the link:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/greatest/featureVideo?page=greatest150

That is about the highest I have ever seen him ranked. Most normally have him in the 3, 4, or 5 range.

This is why I posed the question. I just don't understand those who hold him in such high regard. I've heard more than one person say "The only person I have met that I was in awe of was Muhammad Ali." I just don't get it.

 

I was the right age (b. 1970) to remember him on TV and I was completely taken aback by his guts in the ring and charisma both in and out of it. Later, as I investigated the stuff I was too young to remember, I gained even deeper respect for him. Meeting him was a high point in my life.

I thought Sports Guy hit the nail on the head when he said that boxing isn't what it used to be because of Ali. In a twist of irony, the Parkinsons that has caused Ali to become a "quivering mess" drives kids away from boxing because they don't want that to be them.

This is why I posed the question. I just don't understand those who hold him in such high regard. I've heard more than one person say "The only person I have met that I was in awe of was Muhammad Ali." I just don't get it.

:thumb: :thumb:

I thought Sports Guy hit the nail on the head when he said that boxing isn't what it used to be because of Ali.

I will say that imo boxing isn't what it used to be bc of the lack of talent. Back in Ali's day it was not only him, we had Frazier, Foreman, Norton and several others that were all very good. Today there is ....................well, no one.

No one will ever be Ali. If you try to compare him to MJ or Tiger, a)its a disservice to both MJ and Tiger as they will never be Ali and b)you're discounting the fans from around the world. Fans all over the world knew and loved Ali. It was something to hear Africans chanting "Ali Boom Ayeah" over and over again before and during the Foreman fight. It was as if Ali was from Zaire which is one example of how the world adored him.

 

It will NEVER happen again.

I hate to admit it, but I never really understood it either.

 

Great man I'm sure, but he's an icon and why?

One isn't he an example of a great American story.

 

Not from a wealthy family. Worked hard and had to come through a time that African Americans were being denied rights. Stood up to the American Government and rather than caved in stayed true to his principals even when it cost him dearly.

 

Than despite the odds he returned to the pinnacle of his sport once more.

 

Only to bring his sporting life full circle by light the Olympic torch after he had jumped onto the American boxing scene at the Olympics.

 

Seems like a American success story.

Either A) You're too young to remember Ali and boxing in their prime or B) You're just trying to get everyone stirred up. I'll give you the doubt and say A. If so watch "When We Were Kings" and you'll have your answer. Heavyweight boxers used to be the most famous athletes in the world and Ali was the best of the best. He also took a stand for his beliefs during a incendiary point of our history. If you don't know why he's a national treasure I probably can't tell you, however, you should do some research before you call him just a terrific boxer.

 

He just answered the question.:thumb:

He's a great athlete....Not the best boxer, but a great one never the less. As far as an icon or a sports "hero", I would never want my future son/daughter to look up to a draft dodger. Not the type of person I would want them to admire.

I cant believe this is a thread? Whats next why is the #2 before #3...

He's a great athlete....Not the best boxer, but a great one never the less. As far as an icon or a sports "hero", I would never want my future son/daughter to look up to a draft dodger. Not the type of person I would want them to admire.

 

Just because he wasn't fooled by war mongering and Uncle Sam propaganda doesn't mean that he isn't an admirable person. And you don't have to share his beliefs to admire a person who stood up for what they believed in.

 

Just to be honest...If Uncle Sam asked me to go to Iraq I'd say no if given the opportunity. But I'm not a boxing icon, a rich man, or a Senator's son so I'd probably be on my way to the Middle East. I don't believe in the cause or nature of the reasoning for sending our troops over there to fight and die, but in no way does that mean I don't respect the troops that are over there dying for that cause either. And don't give me that garbage about troops being sent to Iraq/the Middle East to provide the comfort I call freedom. That's the garbage those troops are being fed, and far from whats really going on.

 

Ayway, I can't speak for Ali, but I seriously doubt he held ill-will towards those who were fighting the war. He just had the power to speak and be heard about his beliefs during a time of war. I just wish we had another Ali providing opposition right now instead of a bunch of liberal Democrats.