Judge Tells Ali; Continue Paying Alimony

December 1967,

The language was highly technical and couched in formal jurisprudence
legalese which said in part;

The order is entered by agreement, etc.
It really meant that ex-Heavyweight Champion, Muhammad Ali, 26,
had lost his determined bid in a Chicago court to cut off the stiff
$1250 per month alimony payments to his attractive ex-wife, Sonji,
since they were officially divorced in Miami, January 1966.

Ali asked Judge Fred G. Suria to 'modify by terminating' the payments
because of inability to pay.
He said, he was unable to secure a fight since his June 1967 conviction
for refusing draft induction and thus, has been unemployed.

Ali, dapper in a dark blue, pin-stripe suit, striped shirt, black and white tie, his handsome head set at a proud angle as he left the courtroom, was
obviously angered over the 'decision'.

Judge Suria had called the principals and their lawyers,
Chauncey Eskridge for Ali, and Mrs. Jewel LaFontant for Sonji - after a
series of private conferences with lawyers for each side failed to effect
agreement.

Judge Suria said, Sonji may draw her alimony from a $50,000 cash bond
Ali established.

During a brief court recess, the beautiful Sonji, a mod ingenue in boots,
and white dress, enjoyed a cigarette, expressing joy in the Judge's
decision.

Ali was a lonely figure in the corridor, still unhappy with the 'decision'.

 

This is part of 'American Pop Culture'.
Maybe some people, who weren't from the 60's would like to know
a little history.

This is not a knock on the man, but public information.
This adds a little flavor to an Icon.

I post the same small hidden details about other fighters,
ie; Sonny Liston, Ingemar Johansson etc. etc. but for
some reason, that doesn't bother you.

Not once in my posts, have I ever said a young Cassius Clay or
Muhammad Ali was a bad person.

But I have said,
A U.S. Olympic Gold Medal Winner
A talented boxer
A World Champion
A great showman.
One of the greatest personalities of the 20th Century
A humanitarian
The most recognized athelete ever
A Hero to many

 

AH,,,,,The Great Humanitarian,,,,,,,,,,does not want to fulfill his agreed upon obligation.

Selective Hero Worship!!!

 

JM36,

A humanitarian,,,,helpful to humanity (to many but not all)

Sonji lumped up Ali pretty good in Chicago.
Mentally, she destroyed him, and she never laid a glove on him.