Ali, was it worth it?

[OMGWTF]

I very much admire this great man he was the best in an extremely competitive era, and may be the best ever.

However he has Parkinson's, that may or may not have been caused by his boxing.

If it was caused by boxing, is it worth fudging up the majority of your life to go down in history as one of the best?

[davidwatts]

he is my favourite sportsman of all-time, but its not worth it obviously.

saw him getting a crown on his head the other day, not sure what it was all about as i had the sound on the tv muted. god he looked terrible.
while i admire both him and his wife for not ever hiding away because of his condition up til now, i don't think its a positive thing to continue 'putting him on show.'
that sounds like an awful thing to say but i feel uncomfortable seeing him with that strange expression on his face. i feel embarrassed for him.

however, its not really about me and how i feel, of course.
i mean if he wants to keep going to places its up to him isn't it?
its not a positive thing as far as the image of boxing goes i suppose.
i don't know what to think, i keep changing my mind.

can he still talk at all, in a whisper?
i imagine he has to have someone do more or less everything for him nowadays, feeding, dressing, toileting[not sure if thats a word?], and bathing?
i'm sure he doesn't want anyone's sympathy, but i can't help feeling sorry for him.

[fists of fury]

Originally Posted by OMGWTF

If it was caused by boxing, is it worth fudging up the majority of your life to go down in history as one of the best?

Only he could answer that. I suspect though, that he'd say that if he were to do it all over again, he'd do nothing differently.

[tezel8764]

He certainly thought it was.

[cuchulain]

Originally Posted by OMGWTF

I very much admire this great man he was the best in an extremely competitive era, and may be the best ever.

However he has Parkinson's, that may or may not have been caused by his boxing.

If it was caused by boxing, is it worth fudging up the majority of your life to go down in history as one of the best?

Reminds me of a quote from a certain Italian scoundrel:


BETTER TO LIVE A SINGLE DAY AS A LION THAN A HUNDRED YEARS AS A SHEEP.

Benito Mussolini.

[SuperHut]

Never understood why people admired athletes so much until I learned about Ali's politics. Suddenly, for the first time in my life I actually admired a stranger. Started putting framed Ali photographs on my wall.

Then, I learned about how Frazier loaned Ali money when he was broke. And then how Ali stabbed Frazier in the back by calling him an Uncle Tom.

I then sold my Ali art work on eBay.

Was it worth it for Ali? Not sure. But did he deserve it? All I know is, people generally get what they deserve.

[doug.ie]

i think its fair to say that ali was showing signs of parkinsons as early as...in my opinion...77/78...

so...my question would be...would he have continued boxing in the years 78-81 had he known what was to come health-wise with him, or what was already starting health-wise....or would he have retired much earlier ?

[Shake]

He should have retired before taking on Shavers -- taking on such a hard puncher, with his style, when past your prime, is uncalled for bravery.

[Webbiano]

Ali was a fighter through and through. The fact that he's inspired so many people, provided entertainment for millions and will go down as one of the greatest boxers of all time period would suggest to me it was worth it. This is not some kind of sick joke, but does anyone have any quotes from Ali about the condition he is in right now? for all we know he may not love what he does, but he may not dislike it as much as we perceive him to.

[RockyJim]

Took too may punches...didn't have the speed of the 1960's anymore when he came back in 1970...used the rope-a-dope...he became a punching bag...look at him now...

[Stevie G]

Tough question to answer,really. I daresay that Muhammad considers that he lived a life that's full,and not in a shy way !


As a great fan of his since 1966,it is very painful at times seeing him so ill,but let's be thankful that he gave us all so much pleasure when we,and Ali,were younger.

[groove]

ali stayed on too long paying for all his hangers on. all those leeches that used and took advantage of him. that stealing no good entourage was a factor to keep on fighting. after shavers the slurred speech was prevalent.

[North Star]

If Ali's condition was caused by boxing I'd have to say it was not worth it.

I think Ali could have been a successful professional athlete in other less damaging sports. He was handsome and his acting ability in some of the movies he made was not bad. If he had never gone into pro sports he probably could have made a good living as an actor.

[Stevie G]

Originally Posted by Shake

He should have retired before taking on Shavers -- taking on such a hard puncher, with his style, when past your prime, is uncalled for bravery.

Manila would have been the perfect time for Ali's retirement. For Frazier too.

[Azzer85]

Ali was once asked this question, to which he replied. If i hadnt taken up boxing, id have ended up being a sign painter, just like my dad