I've seen some pictures of these 2 together when Ali was younger. Surely Louis supported Ali in his some of his fights?
He was also at ringside for Ali-Liston 2 in Lewiston, ME, in Germany for Ali-Mildenberger (along with Schmeling), and the FOTC in 1971. He was probably at a lot more as well.
I seem to remember Louis & Marciano were at the first Ali-Liston fight and were so excited by Muhammad's performance that, at the finish, they jogged out of the arena together! Anyone recall that?
Joe was definitely at the Ali vs Terrell fight. Not that Joe’s sentiments weren’t genuine, but commentator Howard Cosell heavily steered Louis into saying that Ali was a great fighter based on the performance they were witnessing.
I heard that Louis would watch the Ali Young fight to fall asleep when Louis was living in the penthouse suite at Cesars Palace LV. It was his sleep theropy if im not mistaken. Not sure if he was pysically present the night of though.
I love the part of the Cosell interview where Ali turns to Louis and says something to the effect of "you think you could've whupped me? Man, no way". Louis, deadpan as always said that at one time, he'd fought what they called the "bum of the month club" and that Ali would be in the club!