Meh. I always rooted for Joe Frazier. Couldn't stand Ali's braggadocious "I am the greatest" shtick. (which is all it was) I knew idiots would take it seriously and emulate it. (which they have) Now it's acceptable for athletes to be self-aggrandizing blowhards.
I live near Louisville and it is amazing the status to which Ali has been elevated here. He is very nearly a god in much the same way Elvis was during the many years that I lived in Memphis - probably even more so. In my unimportant opinion, they both leave a lot to be desired in the role model category and neither deserves the adulation they are receiving since people have chosen to forget the truth and remember the myth.
From the Iliad: There stood up a champion both brave and of great stature, a skillful boxer, Epeus, son of Panopeus. He said, “Let the man who is to have the cup come hither, for I am the best boxer of all here present, and none can beat me. If any man will box with me I will bruise his body and break his bones; therefore let his friends stay here in a body and be at hand to take him away when I have done with him." (Bragging's as old as boxing.)
Ali's trash talking was great in my opinion, but when it comes to Frazier, he was really jusy throwing an old friend who helped him in the past under the bus. Frazier apparently never got over him calling him things like an Uncle Tom and a dumb ape (gorilla?).
Same here. I always preferred Frazier, who I considered a man. Ali always reminded me of a spoiled brat throwing a tantrum. Though I detest the "sport" of boxing, I would avidly read the newspapers the day following a bout, hoping that Ali had lost.
Should include conscription as well as draft (evasion). Other than that, good to do a quiz on a legend of sport
1) Laila
2) Leila
How many other "alternatives" are you going to allow?