A fighter not a warrior

[AVB]

On June 20, 1967, boxer Muhammad Ali was convicted in Houston of violating Selective Service laws by refusing to be drafted. The conviction was later overturned by the Supreme Court.

Soon after becoming heavyweight champion, Ali decided to change his religion and joined the Nation of Islam (Black Muslims), taking the Muslim name "Muhammad Ali." The Vietnam War then interrupted Ali's career. In 1967, he was inducted into the military, but he refused to serve, saying his religious beliefs forbade him to fight. While some Americans praised Ali for risking prison to stand up for his beliefs, others called him a draft dodger and traitor. The government charged him with violating the Selective Service Act; his titles were taken from him; and he was not allowed to box.

After a long court battle, Ali was convicted of draft evasion and sentenced to five years in jail and fined $10,000 fine, but in another lawsuit in 1970, a judge ruled that Ali could still box professionally. That same year, Ali won his legal battle when the U.S. Supreme Court said he was not guilty of draft evasion--He should not have been drafted at all.

 

[MrJerry]

The greatest of alltime!!

 

[enerjay]

 

[tkoepp]

No matter what your opinion is of this man, either great fighter or draft dodger, I have seen him as he lives relatively close to me (in Berrian Spring MI) and I hope / wish I fair better than he has these past many years.

(To me) it is very sad to see a man that we all looked up to as a sports icon deteriate like he has.

 

[NullSmurf]

I believe him in that he consienciously objected because he stood fast and took his punnishment for refusing to serve. For doing that while others took a coward's approach, he deserves some respect. After life, I hope there will be a price for that kind of cowardice.

 

[Rob_k]

Being born in 1967, I do not remember the events AVB stated above. I do remember in the '70's when Howard Cosell and ABC sports broadcast heavyweight title fights on Wide World of Sports, and watching many an Ali fight with my dad. The one that sticks out in my mind was the "Thrilla' in Manilla!" back in 1974, when Ali fought Joe Frazier and won by KO in the 14th round. Thanks for the memory trigger Ray.
Rob

 

[tsmckenney]

I believe him in that he consienciously objected because he stood fast and took his punnishment for refusing to serve. For doing that while others took a coward's approach, he deserves some respect. After life, I hope there will be a price for that kind of cowardice.

Interesting perspective. I'm not so sure though. I think a lot of how he was treated had to do with the fact that he was a prominent black male. It's a great topic, but could easily get muddled in politics. Anyway, I see where you're coming from and hey, Ali is a fantastic piece of American history.

 

[Devil Doc]

This topic is still an outstanding way to get a heated argument going at the local VFW. The way I look at it, allowing himself to be drafted would have been the easy way out. He would have kept his title and would have been treated much the same way as Joe Louis was during WWII, doing exhibition bouts and entertaining the troops. So, I've got to give him credit for courage of conviction and being the greatest heavy weight fighter who ever lived.

Doc.

 

[MiamiCubano]

He ain't no Jack Dempsey or Gene Tunney, but he was a hell of a good fighter still the same.

Thanks for posting this Ray.

 

[AVB]

Everybody remembers the big guys but Willie Pep (230-11-1) was by far a better boxer.

 

[MiamiCubano]

Everybody remembers the big guys but Willie Pep (230-11-1) was by far a better boxer.

You wanna start talking boxers of all weight classes, then a discussion can go on quite some time.
But given we were talkin' heavyweights...that was my only reference.

But yep, Papaleo was a damn good featherweight and a true class act as well.

 

[Mrepp]

Pfft I think Tug who took down a saber-toothe with a pointy stick is the best fighter.

Ali was truly a great, but would he even be considered a heavyweight by todays standards or a light heavyweight?

 

[MiamiCubano]

Pfft I think Tug who took down a saber-toothe with a pointy stick is the best fighter.

Ali was truly a great, but would he even be considered a heavyweight by todays standards or a light heavyweight?

Going with his general weight of about 210 during his prime, Ali would still be considered a heavyweight by today's classification standards, across the board, IBF, WBO, WBA, etc.

 

[sonuvabum]

Just as I don't have to agree with Martin Sheen's politics to admire him as an actor, I don't ever really think about Ali's personal life when I reflect back on him. I remember him as a very good boxer but a better showman. He was larger than life and when he was hitting on all 8 (so to speak), he was a joy to watch. That was back when you could enjoy a good match on ABC TV and didn't have to do the PpV thing. I haven't watched a major fight in years now. I'm sure there was always a certain level of corruption inherent in boxing promotion but to me, it seems even more so these days.


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