The subtle sadness in Ali’s greatest moment...

Clay would push an old woman down the stairs if she got in between him an the TV cameras...
Did you honestly expect him to show any respect for Louis?

I've never understood why so many people hold this guy up as some type beacon of humanity.

 

Ali was celebrating what was at that time,the greatest moment of his career. If anyone in that Miami ring displayed any disrespect to Louis,it was n't the new champ,Cassius Clay.

 

Excellent post,Richard. And as I think that I am the "talented poster" you're referring to,thank you very much for the complimment !

 

That's just wishful thinking. Sometimes things aren't always as we want the to be but it's hard to admit it.

 

Nah I think he was referring to me.

 

I think the subtle sadness is the boxing fans regret.


We got a lot from Louis, but from poor personal choices and things that were out of his control, Louis struggled. Louis was rightly the superhero, who we associate with the fight for respect for his race, and doing his bit in World War II.


So seeing the seemingly broken Louis in the 60s and 70s, showed he was mortal, and we (the fans) probably feel looking back, we could have done more to recognise that when it would have been more useful for Joe.


The jobs in Vegas, and a bit of TV work, were ultimately not going to help.


So we see Louis from Marciano onwards, and probably feel a bit guilty, even though there is little we could have done.

 

I agree,,, Joe Louis had more charm, grace and dignity in his little finger than Ali ever had. Louis was a total role model as a human being, Ali was the first carnival barker who became a boxer.

 

Thank all of you guys in this classic forum. I had never watched the full Ali-Liston fight but went looking for it so as to participate in this thread.

A 22yo at his/her moment of maximum triumph can (and probably should) be forgiven much. If, in his excitement, Ali disrespected Joe Louis by omission, I'll bet Joe instantly forgave him and probably felt nostalgic for his own triumphs. I imagine it's kind of bittersweet. The TV guy seemed pretty callous in his treatment of Joe Louis, however. What a dick.

 

For the record: Someone mentioned in this thread that Jack Dempsey never served in the Military. Actually, Jack did serve in the Military.

Quoting coastguard.togetherweserved.com:

"Boxer, CDR Jack Dempsey US Coast Guard (Served 1942-1952) Short Bio: In 1944 he was assigned to the transport USS Wakefield. In 1945 he was on the attack transport USS Arthur Middleton for the invasion of Okinawa. In July of 1945 he was assigned to the Commander, 11th Naval District for assignment to Military Morale Duty. He was released from active duty in September 1945. He was given an honorable discharge from the Coast Guard Reserve in 1952."

 

This is confusing because I recall Liston blasting Dempsey for not serving.

 

It is like today's top heavyweights, they do not respect the past greats because hey did not grow to unusual proportions, I do have my opinion on this, and it is not natural. But every generation thinks that they were better than the past. Even some young experts believe this, different strokes for different folks.

 

He was wearing nice new shiny shoes. Obviously not army boots. They were trying to dispell the rumour that he had been a draft dodger and the photo backfired on him.

 

You welcome my friend and yes I was referring to you. I really enjoy your posts.

 

Don't see any sadness about it

Many rate Louis over Ali to this day ... And it's a legitimate argument that he was greater than Ali, though I have Ali slightly above Louis

Ali was loud and bombastic ... Louis was more quiet