Did Muhammad Ali Want To Get Sripped Of His Title Purposely

[Senor Pepe']

In March 1968,

Did Muhammad Ali intentionally walk away from the Heavyweight Championship
of the World in April 1967, to challenge America to end the war in Vietnam.

In an interview in early-1968, Sonny Liston believed that was Cassius Clay's
intentions. Sonny said, that Cassius was not happy as the Heavyweight Champion,
and that it brought him not one good feeling, only aggrevation. Much like me, I was
not happy in that position of trying to be everything to everyone, only to get criticized
for being myself.

April 1968 Esquire

[AREA 53]

On a personal Level, and with that Ego, i am sure Muhammed loved being heavyweight champion of the world, But Muhammed was surrounded by ear-whisperers who had agenda's and little hesitation in using Muhammed as a stick to beat the US Government with. and the US government/state administrators indeed needed some correction particularly in the home civil rights field, and overseas adventurism, i suspect Muhammed was no doubt gullible on occassion as to those who had his best interests at heart, assassination was a definate fear Ala Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, they were very turbulent troubled times, for a basically simple boxer to get caught up in this political maelstrom
and come out the other end...more revered than ever was probably very much against the odds, some would say a miracle...

[Senor Pepe']

Sonny Liston, did have a good alternative answer for Cassius pulling out of boxing.

Sonny Liston, 'Don't cry for Cassius, he's pulling down $3000 to $5000 for speaking at
college campuses. The air-conditioned limo rides, the nice hotels and all the other
nice things that come with being an activist. All that, and he does not have to take
one-punch, get up at 5:00 AM and run, get your insides pounded in sparring, and do
all those sit-ups, and soak your aching hands in ice. No, I will not cry for Cassius.'

'Last month {May 1968} I heard he made over $30,000 on the lecture circuit. Maybe
I should try that.'

[lufcrazy]

or maybe, despite heavy protestation, he had his license stripped.

[Senor Pepe']

In March 1968,

Did Muhammad Ali intentionally walk away from the Heavyweight Championship
of the World in April 1967, to challenge America to end the war in Vietnam.

In an interview in early-1968, Sonny Liston believed that was Cassius Clay's
intentions. Sonny said, that Cassius was not happy as the Heavyweight Champion,
and that it brought him not one good feeling, only aggrevation. Much like me, I was
not happy in that position of trying to be everything to everyone, only to get criticized
for being myself.

April 1968 Esquire

[/quote]

[Senor Pepe']

In March 1968,

Numerous Magazie Editor's thought this.

Did Muhammad Ali intentionally walk away from the Heavyweight Championship
of the World in April 1967, to challenge America to end the war in Vietnam.

In an interview in early-1968, Sonny Liston believed that was Cassius Clay's
intentions. Sonny said, that Cassius was not happy as the Heavyweight Champion,
and that it brought him not one good feeling, only aggrevation. Much like me, I was
not happy in that position of trying to be everything to everyone, only to get criticized
for being myself.

April 1968 Esquire

[/quote]

[Senor Pepe']

In March 1968,
Several Magazine Editor's thought this,

Did Muhammad Ali intentionally walk away from the Heavyweight Championship
of the World in April 1967, to challenge America to end the war in Vietnam.

In an interview in early-1968, Sonny Liston believed that was Cassius Clay's
intentions. Sonny said, that Cassius was not happy as the Heavyweight Champion,
and that it brought him not one good feeling, only aggrevation. Much like me, I was
not happy in that position of trying to be everything to everyone, only to get criticized
for being myself.

April 1968 Esquire

[/quote]

[BillB]

I don't think he wanted to walk away from it.

I think Elijah Muhammad ordered him to refuse to be drafted and Clay was afraid to cross him. He remembered Malcolm X.

For one thing, the smart money said he would go to prison over it- not just give up the title.

He came a cat's whisker of doing just that.

[Andrei00]

I believe he was that kind of guy who enjoyed more the benefits of being the world heavyweight champion outside the ring. As I said before, watching him talking in interviews and boxing, I see him more as an entertainer.

[DigMona]

Could you post it again, Pepe? I never caught it the first four times.

[Senor Pepe']

Yes, Cassius Clay (the new Muhammad Ali) had to feel empty inside, though he
was the World Heavyweight Champion in April 1967.

It was the 'smart move', to jump off the train and not let anybody dictate the
rules, as opposed to making your own rules.

Muhammad Ali was popular' on the lecture tour, but like all things, after awhile
it must have gotten monotonous and boring in 1968.

They actually tried to put together a bout in Salt Lake City with new
Light-Heavyweight Champion - Bob Foster. One-week after Foster won the
Light-Heavyweight Championship {May 1968} Muhammad said he was fighting
Bob Foster in July 1968, for $500,000 - at least that is what Muhammad was telling
everyone who would listen.

[Vince Voltage]

Nonsense. Ali loved being champion. And I don't think he was really that politically minded. In part he simply didn't want to join the army. The other part was that the Muslims persuaded him to take a stand on it.

Ali was not clever enough or politically dedicated enough to purposely give up his title. They just put him in a no-win situation, and he got stripped.

[Senor Pepe']

His World Championship was becoming a 'joke', as written by the sports writers.

He wanted to pick his opponents, and call the bouts Heavyweight Championship Bouts.

In 1968, he wanted to fight both Jerry Quarry and Buster Mathis, on the same night
in back-to-back 10-Rounders, for what he called 'Special Heavyweight Championhsip
bouts',,,,,,,,promoted by Sport Actions, Inc. (Bob Arum).

Another Muhammad Ali 'promotion', that no one believed.

[Lord Tywin]

Ali was ultra competetive. People he loved being champion, being on top of the pile, and proving he was better than everyone else. I think he hated being away from the sport and I think its moronic to suggest he wanted to be banned.

[Senor Pepe']

No, I don't think he wanted to be 'banned',,,,

But stripped of the 'White Mans Championship',,,,,,,,,

So he could go on a 'crusade of self promotion',,,,,as Sonny Liston said.