excerpts from this site - interview by james slater Living legend Angelo Dundee, amazingly now 89-years-old, is one of the finest boxing brains in the sports history. J.S: No interview with you would be complete without a few questions about The Greatest, Muhammad Ali .. A.D: He was here at my house three weeks ago. His son is a baseball catcher for the university of Louisville, and Lonnie [Ali] called me. Muhammads son was playing just near my house, so we got together. Muhammad is my friend. J.S: So many people continue to talk and debate about Ali fights. On the web site forums, the fans still argue about certain things. For one example, to this day, some people still say you loosened the ropes before that epic fight in Zaire, with George Foreman. I know youve been asked about that a million times, but can you tell me - did you loosen the ropes or not? A.D: Isnt it wonderful that people are still curious? I love that, because it means were still here. No, what happened was, I went to Kinshasa - we were 45-minutes away in Nsele, staying in a villa - and I went to the arena that day at 4P.M, and I tried to tighten the ropes, Bobby Goodman and I. They were 24-foot ropes for a 20-foot ring. It wasnt easy, but we tightened them, not figuring on the heat in Zaire. The fight wasnt until 4A.M the next morning, and the heat loosened the ropes again. I never wanted Muhammad to lie on the ropes; as a matter of fact, I whacked him on his butt whenever he lay on the ropes near the corner. That ring was six-foot off the ground, and I was worried Foreman would hit him in the chest and knock him out of the ring. If that had happened, the fight wouldve been over. J.S: Of all Alis great wins, was that one of his absolute best? A.D: Oh, God yes. But the best of all was the win over Sonny Liston. He was the baddest man on the planet, and no-one gave my kid a chance going in. That one was special. J.S: Fans often say one of the great rematches never to happen was Ali-Foreman II. What wouldve happened had they met in, say, 1976 or 77? A.D: Well, certain people beat certain people. This happens all the time in boxing, youve seen it. Actually, the old George Foreman wouldve given Ali a tougher fight. But the young George, with his wild swings, my guy wouldve beaten him all night. J.S: You say the old Foreman wouldve done better against Ali. Is that because George was more relaxed and patient at that age? A.D: Yeah. He was relaxed, steady and he would grind you down - just like he did to Michael Moorer, when he won the title back. J.S: But Ali would still have beaten the old Foreman? A.D: That style, yeah. J.S: You must have seen all the recent books and documentaries about The Thrilla in Manila, with fans still loving that sensational action fight. What do you say to those people who believe Ali would not have been able to come out for that 15th-round against Joe Frazier. Did Ali in fact say to you at the end of the 14th, cut em off? A.D: No, thats not true. People get confused, and theyre getting confused with the Liston fight. My guy told me, cut the gloves off, I wanna prove theres dirty work afoot! I said, no gloves, no fight! But in Manila, no. Ali had such a great 14th-round, why on earth would I stop the fight in the 15th? Ive seen those documentaries, and I see faces on there of people, who werent even there at the fight! George Kimball, a good friend of mine, hes going to write a piece on the fight, with all the people and writers and everything, who were there. I look forward to that article. J.S: Joe Frazier still maintains that, as blind as he was himself, Ali was more exhausted and had nothing left to go that last round. A.D: Ali couldve gone all night. Where he got his reserves from I dont know. But he always had those reserves. He was a little bit special. One time I saw him get decked in sparring. He got whacked on the chin, but as soon as his butt hit the canvas he woke up and he got up. I knew then I had a great fighter to work with. J.S: How would Ali do today, with the huge Klitschko brothers? A.D: He wouldve stopped both of them. See, Ali looked great against big guys - Cleveland Williams Ill give you as an example, a huge guy. Another guy, most people havent seen the fight, a guy named Duke Sabedong from early in Muhammads career (June of 1961, a points win for Ali). He was like 66. Alis speed would have overcome both Klitschko brothers. But, hey, theyre the best around today. I think a guy named David Haye is interesting. I dont think hed let then hug onto him. Haye is an interesting guy and we need him around. I like the English fighters. One story Ill tell you - back when Lennox Lewis was still deciding whether or not he was from Canada or Britain (laughs), I was asked to a meeting with Lewis, by Bill Kaplan. I told Lewis to go to the U.K, because the U.K fans are the greatest on earth. Im kind of proud of that, because Lewis went on to become quite special. J.S: Angelo, we all know you and millions of other people rate Ali as THE best-ever heavyweight champion. Who do you rate at number-two? A.D: At number-two? Good one. George Foreman. But then you cant discount Joe Louis, the finest human being God ever put on this earth. How can you not include Rocky Marciano This content is protected ? You know, you could talk all day. Its like a trivia question, but everyone has their opinion (laughs). J.S: Do you ever sit and watch the old classic fights you were involved in? A.D: I never watch myself! I dont do that stuff (laughs). But I do watch the old fights, because you never know when it might come in useful - when I might need to show a fighter a certain technique to win a fight. I never miss a fight today. I go to all the local fights and I watch everything on T.V. I never want to miss something and then get asked about it and wind up looking like a dummy! J.S: Your opinion on the fight we all hope will actually happen will be of great interest. Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao, who wins? A.D: I like Mayweather. Its a difficult fight and a great fight. I hope it happens. Mayweather is actually a nice kid. He was down here recently, and he put his arm around me and said youre blowing it son, your blowing it! He comes off as ugly, but hes not really like that. J.S: Its been a real pleasure for me speaking with you, Angelo. I really appreciate it. A.D: Oh, I appreciate you calling. Can you mention my face book page - Angelo Dundee, trainer of champions. Tell the fans to take a look.
