Quote:
Originally Posted by Vulcan
I've been a long time boxing fan as I was introduced to it when I was about 5 or so. My dad was a pro and my older brother was offered to turn pro but he got an education instead. I was a big fan of Ali and used to watch his fights on TV or televised in a cinema. When he changed his name, it was hard for me to understand it at first but I got use to it. He was a heavy weight who moved like a welterweight, just amazing. After his suspension he wasn't the same. He'd lost a step but learned to outsmart his opponents. I felt bad for him later in his career because he took too much punishment and it cost him. I did get to see him live against Chuvalo in Vancouver but everyone knew the outcome before it happened. It was just another payday for Ali.
Out of the ring he did a great thing when he refused to be inducted. It was at the height of the anti-war movement and as another has said he could have just gone along with the process with probably no danger to himself, but he didn't. He stood up for a new way of looking at life and war. Too bad it's not still in vogue. Rest in Peace Muhammad Ali.
|
Didn't Ali say that Chuvalo was the hardest hitter and one of the best opponents he faced? I recall reading that he had a lot of praise for him after the match (I don't believe Ali was able to knock him down and both matches went the distance).
Kind of OT, but my family is from the same Canton of Bosnia that Chuvalo's was from. Those matches against Ali are revered there, probably more so than in Canada. It's funny when "not losing badly" is considered a victory, but when facing Ali, it was the best anyone could have expected.