Was Ali nothing more than a lot of talent, with a big ego and mouth?

First topic message reminder :

People on here will know I am pretty critical of Ali. Not as a boxer, but as a product, an image. There are way too many who swallow the Will Smith version of him. As talented as he was, he barracked so many people for using his "slave name", despite Cassius was given to him by his mother. Kind of disrespectful to drop the name his mother gave him, don't you think? His, now acknowledged lie about throwing his gold medal into the river etc. His insulting comments about Uncle Tom's to the "white man", despite his backers being white Georgian's and being an "Uncle Tom" to the NoI. His hating of his "racist" persicution, but yet his addressing the KKK on their mutual views... I could go on. Way too many hypocricies and inconsitencies to list.

In short, I still have issues with him. I acknowledge his huge boxing and promotional talent. I think his fortitude was immense and so respect that. I respect what he meant to the african american community who were desperate for a "proud" and exceptional talent. But, for me, the things that made him a "lesser man" was his treatment of those he felt superior to. In an ironic way, what he professed to be upset about. His bullying of Paterson was shameful and his treatment of Frazier disgusting. Watching Marvis last night hit the nail on the head and was telling. Ali publicly and shamelessly abused Frazier but never had the integrity to apologise in the same manner.

For me, he is like Malcolm X. Great speaker. Brash, arrogant and proud, what the african american community (needed) appreciated. But, like Malcolm X, he was wrong most of his life. In contrast, Martin Luther King was both a great oritor and, most importantly, RIGHT his entire life. For our S. Asian readers, like Ghandi and Bose. Bose offered a more proactive resistance but, ultimately was wrong and a fascist... kind of like the KKK ambassador Ali.....

traveller

Try answering a question. What are you scared of.

you didn't ever debate with me... you just hurled insults or accusations... you told me your family were multicultural but never defined it and endorsed Ali's segregational views. You're a hypocrit to your family at least. If you defend Ali you have to segregate your family, if you believe the stance.

But yes, its me who plays lip service to have multicultural friends. But you tolerate your family...

Sorry, I've been playing with you all nigh..but the cotto v mayweather fight is getting interesting now.

So, spew you drivel and have fun!

Happytravelling wrote:you didn't ever debate with me... you just hurled insults or accusations... you told me your family were multicultural but never defined it and endorsed Ali's segregational views. You're a hypocrit to your family at least. If you defend Ali you have to segregate your family, if you believe the stance.

But yes, its me who plays lip service to have multicultural friends. But you tolerate your family...

Still not answering any questions I've asked. Such a shame. Why should I clarify further anything for you, yet you are not prepared to do likewise? Please answer.

Happytravelling wrote:Sorry, I've been playing with you all nigh..but the cotto v mayweather fight is getting interesting now.

So, spew you drivel and have fun!

Of course. Any black organisation is bad. But all other race based organisations are ok. Twit.

They just go on and on. Stamina to shame James Jeffries!

(of course happytravelling needs it for all the multi racial tail he conveniently attracts wherever he goes)

Not sure bringing Jeffries into a debate on race is the wisest thing you could do JBW

I suggest you could be wise locking this thread moderator.....

Once race becomes the over-riding exponent on one......then it will only deteriorate further......

As previous threads have shown!!

Got to say I am in agreement with Truss on this one, have had a quick flick through and the top of the third page is the last time Ali, or indeed any boxer appeared in the thread in any significant fashion. Please bear in mind this is a BOXING forum.

The internet is a big place am sure there are countless places you can debate issues of ethnicity and racism to your hearts content, however this is not one of them.