Does anyone remember the delayed telecast of Ali vs Mathis, 1971?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Richard M Murrieta, May 13, 2021.


  1. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    Does anyone remember the delayed telecast of Ali vs Mathis, 1971? When ABC showed it on the following Saturday, they were playing hit songs when Ali was hitting Mathis, an example, I Want To Hold Your Hand, by The Beatles. There were various songs played to this bout which, did infuriated Buster. It was shown on ABC's Wide World Of Sports.
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2021
    Richard M Murrieta, May 13, 2021
    Richard M Murrieta, May 13, 2021
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  2. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I didn't see it back then. But I saw footage from the "sarcarstic" ABC broadcast. I'm glad the full fight is available these days, too. It would be awful if the only version around was ABC's.
     
    Dubblechin, May 13, 2021
    Dubblechin, May 13, 2021
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  3. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    I saw it that following Saturday, Howard Cosell was commentating on the fight when they began to play clips of different songs during the fight. Buster was really fuming, he asked the network for an apology, I do not know if he received one.
     
    Richard M Murrieta, May 13, 2021
    Richard M Murrieta, May 13, 2021
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  4. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yeah, the network was getting a little too full of itself at that point.

    Boxing sort of carried ABC's Wide World of Sports back then. If they didn't have boxing on that weekend, it was like Barrel Jumping from the Catskills in New York or the Harlem Globetrotters for the ten-thousandth time or Minnesota Fats playing pool. They didn't feature a lot of actual "sports." They milked boxing for all it was worth.

    Should've respected it more. They bought the fight, show the fight. I think there's a reason they never did that again. I don't think it went over very well. I read in several books, including one of Howard Cosell's books, that they got a lot of angry feedback from fans who tuned in to see the fight. Not them just showing highlights and making fun of it.
     
    Dubblechin, May 13, 2021
    Dubblechin, May 13, 2021
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  5. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    I thought it was in poor taste too, I did hear that Nov 17 1971 fight on the radio, the undercard was George Chuvalo vs Cleveland Big Cat Williams, who was at the end of the road.
     
    Richard M Murrieta, May 13, 2021
    Richard M Murrieta, May 13, 2021
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  6. MR_TUT

    MR_TUT Member banned Full Member

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    I met Williams in 87, nice guy. he taught me how to double up on the left hook
     
    MR_TUT, May 13, 2021
    MR_TUT, May 13, 2021
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  7. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    Really? What was he like back then? He seemed to be a shell of himself in his later years.
     
    swagdelfadeel, May 13, 2021
    swagdelfadeel, May 13, 2021
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  8. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I saw it on either Grandstand or World of Sport. No edited singing on the Brit broadcasts.
    Muhammad was in passive mode. He knew he had Buster beaten right from the off so did n't see the need to really turn it on.
     
    Stevie G, May 14, 2021
    Stevie G, May 14, 2021
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