Posted on 02/24/2014 9:00:19 PM PST by Mariner
Fifty years ago today, Muhammad Ali “shocked the world” and beat one of the most fearsome fighters ever to put on a pair of boxing gloves, heavyweight champion Sonny Liston.
But what if that storied fight was not what it seemed?
It happened Feb. 25, 1964, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The film clip and sound bite have now become part of the American story — Liston quitting his stool before the eighth round, a young Cassius Clay, as Ali was known then, bouncing around the ring, waving his hands, yelling to the reporters at ringside who thought he would be killed by the more veteran boxer. “I’m king of the world! I’m king of the world!” Ali proclaimed.
Sports Illustrated named it the fourth-greatest sports moment of the 20th century. The fight also is the foundation of the Muhammad Ali story: the three-year heavyweight championship reign of dominance, followed by his three-year exile as he fought the Vietnam War draft. The Ali-Joe Frazier fights, the upset over George Foreman in Zaire, the reconstruction of Ali from a pariah to a national treasure. All of it begins with a brash Clay “shocking the world.”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
No surprise here. I always suspected that most of Cassius Clay’s big fights were rigged.
You think Joe Frazier agrees with you? George Foreman?
This ought to be good.
Angelo Dundee (Clay’s trainer)said that he couldn’t order up a better opponent from the Sears catalog for the young, swift Cassius. Liston was a slow, plodding big roundhouse puncher who was never extended more than a few rounds in years. He couldn’t hit Clay with a screen door.
The big question in my mind is what did Howard Cosell know and when did he know it. Cosell made a name for himself pimping Cassius Clay to the American public — and seemed to think that the entire “rope-a-dope” fiasco was great fun. Didn’t bother Howard a bit when Clay weaseled his way out of serving his country.
Agreed. And what was the point of trying to blind Clay with the ointment if he knew he planning to throw the fight?
A prize fight fixed by organized crime in America? What next?
Is this the origin of your refusal to recognize his talent?
That's like saying Kate Upton is ugly because she cast her first vote for Obama.
Or, John Lennon couldn’t sing because he was a commie.
Well, I don’t know...are her famous assets real — or are they Memorex?
;^)
They jiggle real:)
John Lennon was a no talent hack. And no, he couldn’t sing for a damn— even if he’d been part of “Up With People.”
(I’m really grouchy today. Need to catch up on my Metamucil)
The man put his money where his mouth is, no arguing that, and that says a lot about him.
Sponsoring FReepers are contributing
$10 Each time a New Monthly Donor signs up!
Get more bang for your FR buck!
Click Here To Sign Up Now!
I’m all in favor of that!
I have no problem with a GENUINE Conscientious Objector.
It's the the fraudulent pu$$ies that I would line against the wall and shoot.
This is not a new allegation.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.