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I think you’re white washing things. Ali did worse than call him an Uncle Tom. He called him a gorilla. He genuinely hurt Frazier. Ali also called him ignorant. Ali acted like a jackass. It was no longer about building up media attention. Ali was simply an arrogant, cruel, Muslim bastard who didn’t give a crap about anyone but himself.

It took Ali 30 years to apologize: http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20010316&slug=digs16

Ali was NOT just promoting the fight. He was getting at Frazier. It was part of his strategy.

I think one detraction against Ali in his heyday was the fact he promoted himself like a professional wrestler--I think it annoyed a lot of boxing "purists" of the day to no end.

People forget Frazier was a gentleman and actually much-loved outside of the boxing ring. And since Frazier's boxing career started in Philadelphia, he is effectively considered a "native son" of that city.

RIP, "Smokin' Joe." All the serious boxing fans out there will fondly remember you.