Joe Frazier explains style and training

Well I'm not sure about shipping anyone back lol. But the only reason what MLK did worked was because it was videotaped. They had peaceful marches but were firehosed, had dogs sicked on them, beat up, and arrested. Other countries saw this footage and it made the entire country look awful, so the US had to straighten up somewhat.

 

I see what you mean. Have you seen the "Thrilla In Manilla" documentary? It really gets into alot of stuff that people did not know. We all know Ali insulted all of his opponents, but for some reason he went the extra mile with Frazier. I think because Frazier was really the only person in the business who helped him (even the Nation of Islam mostly left him stranded), I think Ali took his kindness for weakness.

It's like with great power comes great responsibility. Ali knew he had the soul of America in his hands, and back in the volatile 60's and 70's things could get dangerous. So when you call another black man an Uncle Tom, gorilla, and the white man's champion that causes problems. And nobody thought of Joe as an Uncle Tom until Ali said this. A lotta people don't know as a result Frazier's kids were beat up at school and they had to have police watch their house because people were threatening to blow it up and shoot his family. This is why none of his family could go to the first fight because they were getting so many death threats that it wasn't safe. This is when it's not funny or entertainment anymore. Not everyone is as smart as Ali to realize it's just entertainment.

Ali and Ali alone perpetuated that. I don't think he meant for it to go that far but if something would of happened to Frazier's family the blood would of been on his hands.

Also another thing Ali did at the Thrilla in Manilla was he went outside Frazier's hotel room with a blank pistol and started firing shots off. They were scared because they thought it was real, and there were no police around. I know he was just trying to rattle Frazier but that's going too far. I think all these things together is why it looks bad.

 

I was thinking the opposite. It seems like before this documentary, everyone said they didn't know why Frazier held a grudge. And the documentary did show Frazier calling Ali "Clay" and they had Ali addressing it on the Dick Cavett show in England. I think Ali drew first blood but Frazier fired back. But from what Ali said Frazier could of been killed as a result. I think Frazier just felt betrayed how he helped Ali when no one else did and then Ali flipped on him. I understand both sides and that Ali was just promoting, but I understand Frazier's side too.

 

I think they were destined to fight, it's just Ali got exiled before it could take place. Those two were made for each other in the ring. But on the other hand Joe had to do what he had to do. He surely wasn't gonna sit around and wait for Ali to come back, he went and got the belt.

I do believe he wanted to fight Ali but I do think they were friends. Holmes and Ali were friends but Holmes beat Ali half to death in their fight.

The thing is Ali couldn't fight anywhere with his draft status. He wasn't even allowed to fight overseas. It's one thing for Joe to petition to get Ali's license back but it's another thing for Joe to give Ali money so he could survive. Ali had practically no other way of making money. I really feel Joe giving Ali money was on friendship. No one else not even the Nation of Islam gave Ali money, and he was exiled for standing up for that religion. But yet Ali wouldn't dare call members of the Nation of Islam "Uncle Toms." It's kinda easy picking on the little guy with Frazier, and Ali knew that. But like I said I can understand both sides.

 

I think so. To this day boxing fans always say they don't understand why Frazier is still mad after all these years. Ali is a world renowned hero and most see his condition nowadays and think he could never hurt a fly. Frazier is not known anywhere near as much as Ali. The Will Smith movie "Ali" was watered down as well because Will isn't going to do anything controversial. Which is probably the reason why the script for the movie was rewritten 2 times after Will Smith signed on. All of these things combined make people forget how cruel Ali could be at times.