Few people had an impact on the world like Mohamed Ali. I recall when a brash young fellow won the Olympic gold medal called Cassius Clay. Later he had the unmitigated gall to take on Sonny Liston for the heavy weight crown. Sunny was favored seven to one, and Ali made him look old and slow and knocked him out. This man named Clay, at the time, brought the speed skills of middle weights like Sugar Ray Robinson into the slower, power punch crazy heavy weights, and proved it was possible to box with mass skills, as a heavy weight. Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee became a manta in early high school. Soon after his title, he announced he was now a follower of the Nation of Islam, in the ways of Elijah Mohamed, and his new name was Mohamed Ali. Many folks thought he was nuts, and despised his abandonment of Christianity. But I found it all fascinating, and loved him even more, for what I saw as a rebel cause, and individual choice of religions, in the face of extreme opposition. His name change became a cultural awakening for many Americans. Two fighters that refuse to use his new name were beaten unmercifully as he cried out; Whats my Name? His refusal to serve in Vietnam on religious grounds, helped to built a bridge between civil rights protest and anti war protest. Soon the white American left, joined forces with the African American left, and it made both a stronger movement. His cultural impact was as strong, as his boxing impact, and made him the ideal person to blame for the unrest and conflicts at home. They took away his title, for refusing to be drafted, and threatened to send him to jail, until his career was cut way short for three and a half years Ali languished in futile absence, as the world saw the best years float by. Later he was reinstated and fought again. The Ali Frazier fight was one that had social impacts, that were never associated boxing with political ideas, until then. Poor Frazier was put up as an Uncle Tom and taunted by the Ali quick wit. Frazier won the first one but Ali won the next two. Alis political stands, charity works, and involvement with children, and he is most renowned face, on the face of the Earth, make him rise above mere athletics. All my life as I traveled through this world, I heard his name in more places than any other American. Only Elvis came close..lol Ali was a lesson in truth, a man that stood up for what he believed, and a man that showed pride in race creed and ability. A man we can all be proud of Mohamed Ali...
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 00:42:02 +0000
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