Mark Kram - The Ghost of Manila: Bitter or just revealing?

Read this book many years ago.

Ali was going through one of his many revivals at the time thanks to the Will Smith / Michael Mann film 'Ali' (which by the way, I thought was hopeless for many reasons).

I've read a handful of books about Ali, and I've seen a number of documentaries and films (the films are usually dreadful - although by far the worst is the one in which Ali plays himself). The stand out exceptional film is 'When we were Kings' - which is deeply nostalgic, incredibly exciting, and is based on documentary footage of the time (the DVD is an absolute bargain because the 'extras' include the full Rumble in the Jungle fight, and the full Thrilla in Manila!)

Most of them, possibly even without realising it, recycle the myths and the marketing that surround Ali (although he is without doubt an ATG fighter).

Mark Kram's take on the 'Thrilla' though is by far the darkest account of Ali I've come across. It is so stark in comparison to what other people have written and said it actually takes you some time To question whether Kram is simply bitterly obsessed with Ali, or whether it just feels like that in comparison to what every other lap dog writer has to say.

Even now, I'm not entirely sure I can believe it - although I have every reason to, so much has been corroborated by reliable sources. He's certainly on Joe's side - or maybe he's just telling the truth that has been hidden away because it spoils what is otherwise such a vintage American sports hero story?

Has anyone else read this book or got any thoughts or feelings? I have to say that it is written in such a way that makes it easy to read, it's compelling, but some times I did put the book down cursing Kram because I thought he had some sort of a ****ing problem. I really down know now.

 

There's no doubt that Frazier died embittered about Ali. I have to say, I enjoyed the book, and in all reality, there's not enough written or said about this side of Ali.