Facing Ali is a Dynamite Documentary

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by PetethePrince, Dec 23, 2009.


  1. sitiyzal

    sitiyzal ................. Full Member

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    What a film! Such great characters. What do people make of Frazier's tears for Ali in this documentary in light of the recent Thrilla In Manila HBO documentary?
     
  2. PetethePrince

    PetethePrince Slick & Redheaded Full Member

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    Very interesting. I think sometimes it saddens Joe. I think what saddens him is how things went down. And he maybe he doesn't want to hate this man anymore. But in the end, he always have that core of strong negative feelings toward Ali.

    That's my take anyway. Hopefully that was clear enough.
     
  3. PetethePrince

    PetethePrince Slick & Redheaded Full Member

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    Yes, I tend to ramble.
     
  4. Griffintown

    Griffintown Still fairly new here. Full Member

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    The "Facing Ali" documentary was released today. I just watched it and thought it was very good.
     
  5. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Watched it last night. An excellent production, very smart and well done. Added and selected so much footage very rarely seen. A terrific job ...

    Chuvalo and Lyle were excellent. Holmes and Foreman were very good.

    Terrell , Cooper and Shavers were very interesting.

    Norton and Frazier were good even thought I've seen them many times doing this bit ..

    Spinks, that he could talk and offer any rational or reflective thought, surprised me as well ... a real character ...

    Interesting points ...

    Chuvalo storming the ring in Maine getting in Ali's face after the Liston rematch ...

    Many of the fighters freely admitting that everyone knew Liston dumped the second fight. Common, obvious knowledge. Not even a question.

    Foreman saying he did not think Ali beat Norton one time. I agree. The second should have been a draw. The third was a terrible robbery.

    Lyle commenting on how hard Shavers hit. Even harder than Foreman. Lyle should know. What's interesting and overlooked is that Shavers was a two handed puncher. The shot he dropped Lyle with was a murderous left hook. See the film. Brutal.

    Lyle, Norton, Foreman and Chuvalo all praising Frazier as an amazing fighter. Wonder if they feel he could beat a Klit ? (LOL).

    Very interesting piece ...

    Note: Frazier looks very fraile ... I hope I'm wrong but he looks quite unhealthy ... he's only sixty-six but he looks eighty ..
     
  6. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

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    Great documentary for sure. I was amazed at how sharp and articulate Chuvalo was, after 80 some pro fights, over a career of 22 years, fighting top contenders to the end and not having a great defence.
     
  7. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Truly amazing ... he is a unique physical specimen .... Shavers said it, he had never seen a fighter take the punishment Chuvalo did and remain looking and sounding terrific ..
     
  8. PetethePrince

    PetethePrince Slick & Redheaded Full Member

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    Frazier didn't look that bad, but the wars have obviously taken a toll. If you saw the Thriller doc you saw he needed a caine to walk and such. Chuvalo looks amazing for his age, and for any boxer.
     
  9. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    How much worse could Frazier look ? He is bone thin, shrunken, fraile, suffering from diabetes, needs a walker, has severe high blood pressure , his face looks skeletal compred from just a few year ago. He looks considerably worse than the thrilla doc from a few years ago. I bet he doesn't weigh 180 pounds.
     
  10. PetethePrince

    PetethePrince Slick & Redheaded Full Member

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    Well... he looks better than Ali. As he says, "I can talk and walk." I don't really think he looks that much worse from the Thriller Documentary. It's just his hair isn't dyed.

    Chuvalo is like a man of steel or something. He had a career in boxing and came unscathed. Looks in awesome shape for a guy over 70. He's just a fitness freak obviously.
     
  11. guilalah

    guilalah Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Sad Jimmy Young wasn't around to contribute. RIP


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  12. Bioyhh

    Bioyhh Riot Dog Full Member

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    Henry Cooper looks and speaks just as well, and he's three years older. It's fascinating to see how these warriors were affected by their years in the ring.
     
  13. Doc McCoy

    Doc McCoy Member Full Member

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    Agree with just about everything that's been said. Chuvalo was great. . . . as usual. Ron Lyle was a revelation though. Really articulate & intelligent guy. Class act.

    Thought less of Terrell who seemed a bit bitter & Cooper banging on about his Queen bull****.

    Excellent production - highly recommend it.
     
  14. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yet another fine documentary on The Greatest. Wo n't tell us purists much what we do n't know,but would be useful for a casual Ali fan who wants to know more about him.
     
  15. MrSmall

    MrSmall Member Full Member

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