Did Muhammad Ali Want To Get Sripped Of His Title Purposely

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Senor Pepe', Sep 4, 2012.


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  1. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    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

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    Senor Pepe', Sep 4, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Sep 4, 2012
    #1
  2. AREA 53

    AREA 53 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    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...
     
    AREA 53, Sep 4, 2012
    AREA 53, Sep 4, 2012
    #2
  3. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    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.'
     
    Senor Pepe', Sep 4, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Sep 4, 2012
    #3
  4. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace

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    or maybe, despite heavy protestation, he had his license stripped.
     
    lufcrazy, Sep 4, 2012
    lufcrazy, Sep 4, 2012
    #4
  5. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Mar 14, 2012
    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

    [url]
    This content is protected
    [/url][/quote]
     
    Senor Pepe', Sep 4, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Sep 4, 2012
    #5
  6. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Mar 14, 2012
    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

    [url]
    This content is protected
    [/url][/quote]
     
    Senor Pepe', Sep 4, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Sep 4, 2012
    #6
  7. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Mar 14, 2012
    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

    [url]
    This content is protected
    [/url][/quote]
     
    Senor Pepe', Sep 4, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Sep 4, 2012
    #7
  8. BillB

    BillB Well-Known Member Full Member

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    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.
     
    BillB, Sep 4, 2012
    BillB, Sep 4, 2012
    #8
  9. Andrei00

    Andrei00 Active Member Full Member

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    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.
     
    Andrei00, Sep 4, 2012
    Andrei00, Sep 4, 2012
    #9
  10. DigMona

    DigMona Member Full Member

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    Could you post it again, Pepe? I never caught it the first four times.
     
    DigMona, Sep 4, 2012
    DigMona, Sep 4, 2012
    #10
  11. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    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.
     
    Senor Pepe', Sep 4, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Sep 4, 2012
    #11
  12. Vince Voltage

    Vince Voltage Boxing Addict Full Member

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    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.
     
    Vince Voltage, Sep 4, 2012
    Vince Voltage, Sep 4, 2012
    #12
  13. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    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.
     
    Senor Pepe', Sep 5, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Sep 5, 2012
    #13
  14. Lord Tywin

    Lord Tywin Guest

    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.
     
    Lord Tywin, Sep 5, 2012
    Lord Tywin, Sep 5, 2012
    #14
  15. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    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.
     
    Senor Pepe', Sep 5, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Sep 5, 2012
    #15
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