Yeah, even if he enjoyed hurting Patterson and Terrell it seems he had a personal grudge against them. That's not really sadism. Sadism would be enjoyment/gratification through inflicting pain, without any other motive.
And this is why I will never like Muhammad Ali. As for most sadistic boxer no he could have thumbed and blinded both Patterson and terrell and didn't so I will give him a little credit here just like I respect him for talking that guy out of committing suicide. Notice I said respect I still dislike him.
Azzer is precisely right here: If a man changes his name/religion people should respect that, especially when hes the heavyweight champion of the world. That does not make Ali's name calliing acceptable either. I did not know about Patterson voicing his political opinions before their fight. But I am unconvinced Ali did not have the punching power to get either one of them out of there. No less than Joe Louis said he could have KOed Patterson anytime, but Ali was selfish & cruel. I think he wanted to prolong the humilation.
Good shout. He's on film seemingly intentionally KO'ing Urbano Antillon in a sparring session. Never mind that Antillon is widely thought of as one of the sports nicest guys. He made his wife's life a living hell for years before he murdered her too by all accounts.
Larry Holmes was actually quite sadistic, whether he meant to be or not...vs Ali. He would have spared his idol much damage, probably heavily contributing to his wretched state of today, by merely going in for the kill and stopping Ali earlier than he did.
What amazes me is that they actually embraced after the "fight",....Chavez even displayed some affection (manly affection) after it was over. He said to Haugen, "now you know I don't fight taxi drivers", to which, to JCC;s amusement, Haugen had the guts to say, "they must have been some tough taxi drivers",..lol
I have condemned Ali's name calling & humiliation at length of a couple of web sites. Unless it is done with a wink & a nod from the opponent to promote the fight, it is callous & wrong. There seemed some cruelty behind it to. But his sins in no way make it OK for anyone to provoke him by disrespecting him & his religious choices by refusing to call him by his current name. That is different from debates about the NOI, you do not dishonor the name. If Holmes caused more damage to Ali by pulling his punches through a misplaced sense of mercy, that is the opposite of sadism. The definition of it hinges upon intent, not effect.
thumbsup everyone rides ali's jock. and although holmes was disrespectful at times he never attacked every fighter he fought. ali was a twonk/