By Paul Strauss: Muhammad Ali was unquestionably the fastest – with both his hands and feet. His reflexes could not be beat! His accuracy would almost always result in his opponent’s defeat. The fans just grew and grew, and his entourage too. At the risk of being strung up by the majority of boxing fans, I have to say that the truth is – he wasn’t really the greatest. ‘The hell’, you say, ‘the object of criticism is probably the most physically gifted heavyweight fighter of all time!’ An Olympic Gold Medalist, who was so good he captured the coveted professional heavyweight title not once, but three times!
He was so far above everyone else in the world of sport, he met with world leaders! He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, plus seven other Halls of Fame; he received the Spirit of America Award for being the most recognized sportsman in the world. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom award; he was named Sportsman of the Century, and received numerous other awards. ‘How in the world can anyone in his right mind have the audacity to criticize someone with those credentials’? Friends and family members, who read an early version of this article, think I am just being long winded and grumpy! But, the truth (as I see it) must be told, so I am going to apologize in advance for offending your preconceived notions, and venture on. Hear me out, and then decide for yourself.
First, we need to establish the criteria. What is greatness? Muhammad would say, “I can’t be beat! I’m the fastest! I’m the prettiest! I’m the most famous!” Well, you get the idea. On the other hand, a dictionary definition of the word “great” goes something like this: large, huge (his mouth?), remarkable, distinguished, etc. But, the definition also includes: markedly superior character or quality, noble, great of soul.
The latter part of the definition is where I feel Ali came up short. First, let’s talk about him from a boxing standpoint. I’m not alone in saying he wasn’t the greatest. Ring Magazine founder and editor Nat Fleischer didn’t include Ali in his list of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Fleischer, along with other of boxing’s elder statesmen, didn’t think Ali was the most skilled; only extremely gifted. He made mistakes, but was able to get away with them when fighting opponents of average ability, because of his size, speed and toughness. Most often he carried his hands too low, and moved straight back when tired. He laid on the ropes (I don’t believe he devised the rope-a-dope as a strategy: rather, I think it just happened, because he didn’t have the legs or endurance anymore).
A look at his career (I saw almost all of his fights) reveals an average British fighter named Henry Cooper knocked him down in Ali’s prime, and hurt him. Only quick thinking by Angelo Dundee (the notorious torn glove episode), and the fact that Cooper was a bleeder saved Ali. He also had trouble with fighters like Doug Jones, Karl Mildenberg, Joe Bugner, and Ken Norton; and Leon Spinks beat him! At the time, it was Spinks’ 8th professional fight! So, who knows whether Ali (with a total of 61 fights) could have beat greats such as Jack Johnson (123), Dempsey (83+?), Tunney (87, only losing 1 – as a light heavy), Louis (72), Charles (116), or Marciano (perfect 49)? He certainly had the physical gifts to do so, but did he really have the skill?
That’s only one of the areas pertaining to greatness, and it’s really not the reason I question his greatness. I’m sure most readers would agree it’s not possible to answer the questions of ‘who was the greatest athlete, or which team was the best?’ It’s nothing more than entertaining speculation over a beer. Most of the so-called boxing experts (journalists) have clouded their judgment about Ali with what happened outside the ring – in life’s greater arena, which at that time was filled with racial strife, an unpopular war, feminism, gay rights, and the general rebellion of the hippie movement. And don’t ask Angelo Dundee, because he still tries to sell the Lewiston, Maine “punch” as a legitimate knockout punch! Ridiculous!
The fact is, Ali put butts in seats – and a lot of those butts had never been to a fight before – but they went, because they wanted to see the Louisville Lip; and many hoped he would get his lip buttoned. Well, the big live audiences, and the bigger closed-circuit TV audiences must have been good for boxing, right? The answer is yes, at least from a monetary standpoint. Ali packed them in and generated more interest in the sport than anyone had for quite some time.
How Ali used that interest is what I feel was bad for boxing. For example, the idea was fostered that he needed to promote fights like the comical wrestler named Gorgeous George -“The man you love to hate”, but it resulted in him becoming a bad winner and a bad example to youth, especially Black youth. He indirectly taught them to showboat and belittle an opponent. His example taught them it was okay to brag about yourself, as long as your claims were true.
He did make the college circuit, but for selfish reasons – to promote his own agenda, to gain support for his stance against the war and the government. He decried (and rightly so) the loss of his title and boxing license; and bemoaned his inability to make a living. It’s interesting to note that during this time he received financial help from Smokin’ Joe Frazier, whom he later belittled as the ‘Gorilla from Manilla’ and ‘Uncle Tom’. It’s no wonder Frazier to this day has no use for Ali.
Ali discovered that it was okay to act outrageously. In fact, it was a good thing, because the media liked it and they could be manipulated, like a spoiled child manipulates his parents. It became evident that the more he acted up, the more publicity he got. The media would call it ‘being colorful’. In my opinion, Ali’s discovery and resulting behavior contributed to the freakish behavior of present day weirdos like Dennis Rodman, or Michael Jackson; or the giant egos like Terrell Owens (T.O.); and even to entertainers like Cher and Madonna, who have gotten rich from their exploitation of the young. You decide. Was Ali a key factor in the beginning ruination of sports, as well as the entertainment industry? He definitely was a role model – tall, handsome, unmarked, a truly gifted athlete whose visibility was probably greater than just about anyone’s. Why did he act the way he did? Well, one of his role models was Jack Johnson, the Galveston Giant. Johnson managed to offend just about everyone, so much so that trumped up charges were brought against him under the Mann Act. He had to leave the country to escape prosecution. What was Ali’s motive, and the motive of almost everyone who exploits others? No secret, it was money, power, influence, and, in his case, adulation.
You question, ‘How can I say sport and entertainment is in the state of ruination?’ We now have bigger, faster, and stronger athletes than ever before; and they draw bigger crowds than ever before. But, you also must agree, with too few exceptions, they act like a bunch of jerks. What about show business? There are more and younger celebrities than ever, making more money than ever, having more power and exerting more influence than ever; however, the truth is they are little more than poster children for alcohol, drug and sexual abuse.
Specifically, how else can you explain behavior like someone making a simple tackle, and then sprinting around the field in some kind of perverted hee haw, hoping (and knowing) the camera will be on him. How else can you explain a typical NBA game being so filled with the sound of profanity on the court that you’re embarrassed to take your wife and kids to a game (or watch it on TV). How else can you explain the disgusting behavior of Floyd Mayweather, Jr., his Uncle Roger, and his Dad during the 24/7 segments on HBO? Or, how about the recent comment by Bernard Hopkins, “I will never be beat by a White man!”. How else can you explain the acceptance of the foul and violent language, language demeaning to women, in Rap and Hip Hop music (noise), or the celebrity status of a “pimp” like the criminal named Snoop Dog! How is it a no-talent woman like Paris Hilton is considered a celebrity or starlet?
Don’t stretch things too far now, and say I hate Ali, kids, athletes and Hollywood. The fact is, I used to cheer for Ali when he was fighting. I’d still love to meet him (fat chance after this article, right?) I saw all of his fights, with the exception of a few early ones. I always enjoyed watching him exhibit his talent, and I don’t think I ever really wanted him to get beat. In a way, at least when he was young, he did symbolize the sweet science of boxing — the movement, the lightning quick reflexes, the ring generalship, etc. There probably never has been a fighter quite like him, combining his size and speed. I did, and still do, admire and appreciate him. As far as athletes and Hollywood are concerned, I don’t hate them either; but, I do despise rude, obnoxious, boorish, and many times obscene behavior associated with today’s sports and entertainment industries. I still love watching a great fight (Taylor vs Pavlik) or football game (any of Favre’s or the Patriots — ok, I watch the Vikes, too). I get enthralled by wonderful movies like “Seabiscuit”. I enjoyed the “Bourne” series, and movies like “Michael Clayton”. There just aren’t enough of them, but there’s plenty of crap!
There’s no doubt about it, since the sixties, and due greatly to Ali’s influence, things have gone downhill. Sure you can argue athletes (and entertainers) have always been flawed, but their bad behavior wasn’t thrown in our faces. Maybe we should argue it’s the media’s fault, because they’re the ones who create the characters and then publicize their antics. Or, maybe it’s the public’s fault, because the public buys the scandal sheets, and continues to attend the games, fights or concerts. You might be right, but I also think the problem starts with someone gifted like Ali. Picture yourself as a youngster in the 60s. Whose mug was in the media more than his? Who do you think you wanted to be like?
Ali definitely understood he had power over the public, especially the young, but I think he fell short of greatness, because he misused the power. Kids are very impressionable and can obviously be adversely affected by their role models. We (collectively, society, coaches, faculty, adminstratiors, parents and media) look the other way if the athlete wins. How well do you think Ali’s outrageous behavior would have been accepted if he didn’t win? I believe he would have been quickly dismissed as an illiterate, misbehaving child (just think, Drew Bundi Brown would have gone too!). The real gauge of greatness comes with an appreciation for the importance of fairness, discipline (not just in training), dedication, acceptable behavior, nobility, and being a good role model for the young.
With the passage of time, Ali has become a sympathetic character due to the admirable way he has dealt with his Parkinson Syndrome, and rightly so. According to the Ali Center website, “……He is a devout muslim, and travels the world over, lending his name and presence to hunger and poverty relief, supporting education efforts of all kinds, promoting adoption and encouraging people to respect and better understand one another……” But, ‘The Greatest’? Not in the 60s and 70s, but probably now. Let’s just say there was room for improvement, and leave it at that.
God Bless you, Muhammad.