March 1966, Ali's associates think that the fighters involvement with the Black Muslims, and his entrangement with the Louisville Sponsoring Group that share his ring winnings are the reason for the problem. Ali's pact with the LSG Team runs out this year, and he has indicated that he will not sign another contract with the 'all-influential white-group' of Louisville businessman. Promoters of the March 29, 1966 Title fight with Ernie Terrell, think that he will not be drafted until after the fight, and Ali will ask for a deferment, if he is called up in the March Draft. Ernie Terrell said, he would help Ali evade the draft, by beating him senseless, making it impossible for him to pass a physical exam by the U.S. Army.
Il Duce,Ali said racist and other outrageous comments, that by any other sports figure, but he, would have bee n universally condemned !.But of course he always got a free pass by many of the media and fans those turbulent days,and carried on today...Ali was cruel and vindictive to many of his opponents, and I used to cringe, listening to such verbal garbage...
If Muhammad Ali was part of a 'team', he would have been brutalized by other players. But as a central 'its all about me' figure, he was able to take the ball and run with it. He did turn his back on the LSG Management, and his first endeavor with his new group was a 'financial flop'. (vs. George Chuvalo)
I think the LSG still had their cut as 'management' through the Chuvalo, Cooper, London and Mildenberger fights, and their contract ended prior to the Cleveland Williams debacle. The new PROMOTIONAL group (I forget the name of) had Jim Brown as a front man, and a couple of muslim brothers, and come on with a fanfare about being a new independent black venture that would go on to promote and manage black athletes. I'm not sure if that transpired. But the group also featured a new face to boxing, a white face, a lawyer who went by the name Robert Arum. Ali's promotions must have been sliced up like an apple pie in 1966. When the LSG contract ended, Herbert Muhammad came in and robbed Ali blind for the next 15 years.
MAIN BOUTS, INC. Bob Arum, a former attorney with the Justice Department (I think), that investigated corruption in boxing. Main Bouts promoted the George Chuvalo fight,,,,,,,,,,,,Fight Gross $180,000.
Main Bouts, Inc. Formed; January 1966 Five stockholders; Herbert Muhammad,,Son of Nation of Islam Leader, Elijah Muhammad John Ali, Nation of Islam Secretary Mike Malitz, Closed Circuit Operator Bob Arum, Attorney Jim Brown, Football Star Muhammad Ali states; Our main goal, to bring Negroes into control of the boxing business, and not used as 'fronts' for the 'white promoters'.
March 3, 1966 While Muhammad Ali complains, that the U.S. Government is 'picking on me' Negro Vietnam War Hero to get the 'Medal of Honor' The heroism of an 18 year-old Chicago paratrooper, MILTON LEE OLIVE, who clutched a grenade to his chest to save four white comrades in Vietnam was blown to pieces, became the subject of conversation in VIP circles in our nations capital. ' The young South Side machine gunner, was being boomed as the 'first' G.I. in Vietnam to be considered for the 'Medal of Honor', the nations highest decoration for 'bravery'. HERO,,,,,,,,,,,MILTON LEE OLIVE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,do not forget what a HERO is!!!!!!!!
Yeah, that's the outfit. Main Bouts Inc. Arum and Malitz were white (and both Jewish, I think). I don't know what happened to the company, but I know Bob Arum was involved on the WBA's elimination tournament to installed a "pretender" to Ali's throne just 2 years later. But, hey, "It's always business. Never personal." Or could the others have come along for the ride too ?
Mike Malitz and Bob Arum owned 20% of Main Bouts, Inc. They lost a bundle on their 'first promotion', the Ali vs Chuvalo Title Fight. Ernie Terrell, or course pulled out due to his fight purse, 'their was none'. The Brian London bout was pretty much a 'break even promotion'. They did make a small profit on the Henry Cooper bout, $75,000.
So what? Whats your point? the LSG basically did the same for Ali as Cloverlay did for Frazier, yet you infer 1 group are ****s yet the other group saints! OK, not as black and white as the names i used but you get the drift
They were both excellent groups. And were their for each fighter, to support and help their careers. Joe stayed with Cloverlay, Inc. for 9-years, and bought them out in an amicable deal for both parties. Muhammad stayed with the Louisville Sponsoring Group, Inc. for 6-years. Then left them for another group, as their's was a simple contract. Who's calling who and what a ****. JM, stop looking at everything with shaded glasses.