why such dislike for ali?

I'm with Unforgiven on this.

 

I cant stand loudmouths regardless of their talent...ex. Toney...

 

During Jack Johnson's day white champions said alot worse.

Larry Holmes champion in the late 70s early to mid 80s. Those were completely different times. Ali on the other hand has charm, wit and personality and is generally seen as a good person. He isn't defined by that statement.

It's all about how a personality is presented. Ali's personality transformed from being public enemy to beloved fighter. He was loved. Larry Holmes, Sonny Liston wasn't.

Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey fought in the 1920s different era.

 

Please provide a statement made by any champion ever that's as bad, or 'a lot worse' (??), that "a black man should be killed for messing with a white woman" .....

 

Which is exactly my point.
Ali is 'loved', regardless or whether he was really any a better person than other champions. That kind of hero-worship is always a bit contradictory.
The original source of this public affection seems to be based mostly on the quite superficial things like his charm, wit, humour and good looks.
He legendary generosity is not as well known, and was known later.

Still, he's probably far more deserving than some other popular idols.

 

Possibly. I know that 'The Honorable Prophet' Elijah Poole Muhammad had "bravely" avoided the draft during WW2 and served prison time instead, so pressure was on his followers to do so.
Ali was an the advantage of having the money and the fame to stay out of jail.

 

As Bokaj has said,Ali only got,what can be construed as,favours from judges in his post Manilla career. His legacy was sealed at the end of 1975.

 

I second that,in a big way.

 

After the first Frazier fight,a lot of ant-Ali people started to give him respect,as he proved,in that fight,that his toughness matched his skill. After Foreman,his popularity rocketed. Love the avatar. Marc's second best album !

 

Brilliant, thanks for posting

 

Best.Ali Picture.Ever.

 

Because of his mistreatment of Joe Frazier, and his escapades with women, which a certain ex-sports star mentioned.

 

More love poured out for Muhammad Ali, after millions witnessed the
un-neccesary beating he took versus Larry Holmes.

The Ali-haters felt sorry for him, and realized he was only in there for the money,
as his so-called finances were in a mess, or so we were told.

Before that bout, Muhammad was kind of floundering in the public eye.

Just a year before that bout, he was on the 'Mike Douglass Show', and he was
slow in speech, quiet in his talking and beginning to slur his words.
Thats when the pity reared its ugly head.

 

Excuses,excuses. Two wrongs don't make a right.
No heavyweight champion ever publicly spouted vile things that Ali said.
That being said, I wish him well,really do...