Post by gumbo2176 on Feb 20, 2010 11:27:15 GMT -6
I watched this show on Spike TV earlier this week for the first time. For those not familiar with this show, it features 10 of Ali's former opponents----Sir Henry Cooper, George Chuvalo, George Foreman, Leon Spinks, Ernie Terrell, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, Joe Frazier, Ernie Shavers and Ron Lyle. Each of them recall the circumstances of their fight/fights with Ali, how it has affected their lives and of course their admiration for the man himself.
Personally, I was not an early fan of Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali. As time passed I did recognize and appreciate his vast talent in the ring and his rightful place in boxing history.
I found this show to be pretty informative in quite a few areas. There are the personal insights of their lives now years after retirement. Many spoke at length of how they personally felt about the man himself and his place in, not only boxing history, but history itself.
Sir Henry Cooper looks to be living a comfortable life, has his wits around him and shows no signs of a long career in boxing in terms of physical or mental impairment.
I had no idea that Chuvalo had so much tragedy in his personal life with the overdose deaths of 2 sons and another son and his wife committing suicide. His interview showed me a man of very strong will and character to be able to bear such a burden and seemingly able to go on with life and embrace those still around--------his grandchildren.
I didn't know Ken Norton suffered such a horrific accident that has left him with limited mobility and some difficulty speaking. I guess I wanted to remember him as the heavily muscled fighter that broke Ali's jaw in winning their first fight.
Leon Spinks came off just as I remembered him from his fighting days, just 40 or so pounds heavier and the gap in his smile fixed with dentures. He was one of several fighters interviewed that really needed subtitles to know what was being said. He too spoke highly of Ali for giving him a chance for the title after so few career fights.
George Foreman seemed to be most humble. He spoke at length about how he felt invincible at that time, fresh off his devastation of Frazier in 2 rounds to win the title. He talked about how he felt Ali wouldn't last long against him in their title fight. Then humility took over when he spoke about how he just couldn't hurt the man and when he saw an opening----------it wasn't there the next second. He touched on how depression took over after the fight and his decision to leave boxing for a career in preaching. He spoke at great length and with admiration for Ali.
Joe Frazier was the most surprising of the bunch. Ali really said some horrible things about Frazier before their trilogy of fights. Joe seems to have put behind him his anger and hatred for Ali and the way Ali treated him. One of the last scenes of his interview showed Frazier speaking of Ali and how he wishes Ali could enjoy life as he does. I could see the compassion in his face as he spoke those words. These were not the words of a man harboring any animosity toward another man.
If you haven't seen this show, take the time to watch it. As a boxing fan that saw Ali's career from start to finish, I found it very interesting. Not so much from any historical standpoint but from the human side of this violent sport and the insight of them men personally involved.
Personally, I was not an early fan of Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali. As time passed I did recognize and appreciate his vast talent in the ring and his rightful place in boxing history.
I found this show to be pretty informative in quite a few areas. There are the personal insights of their lives now years after retirement. Many spoke at length of how they personally felt about the man himself and his place in, not only boxing history, but history itself.
Sir Henry Cooper looks to be living a comfortable life, has his wits around him and shows no signs of a long career in boxing in terms of physical or mental impairment.
I had no idea that Chuvalo had so much tragedy in his personal life with the overdose deaths of 2 sons and another son and his wife committing suicide. His interview showed me a man of very strong will and character to be able to bear such a burden and seemingly able to go on with life and embrace those still around--------his grandchildren.
I didn't know Ken Norton suffered such a horrific accident that has left him with limited mobility and some difficulty speaking. I guess I wanted to remember him as the heavily muscled fighter that broke Ali's jaw in winning their first fight.
Leon Spinks came off just as I remembered him from his fighting days, just 40 or so pounds heavier and the gap in his smile fixed with dentures. He was one of several fighters interviewed that really needed subtitles to know what was being said. He too spoke highly of Ali for giving him a chance for the title after so few career fights.
George Foreman seemed to be most humble. He spoke at length about how he felt invincible at that time, fresh off his devastation of Frazier in 2 rounds to win the title. He talked about how he felt Ali wouldn't last long against him in their title fight. Then humility took over when he spoke about how he just couldn't hurt the man and when he saw an opening----------it wasn't there the next second. He touched on how depression took over after the fight and his decision to leave boxing for a career in preaching. He spoke at great length and with admiration for Ali.
Joe Frazier was the most surprising of the bunch. Ali really said some horrible things about Frazier before their trilogy of fights. Joe seems to have put behind him his anger and hatred for Ali and the way Ali treated him. One of the last scenes of his interview showed Frazier speaking of Ali and how he wishes Ali could enjoy life as he does. I could see the compassion in his face as he spoke those words. These were not the words of a man harboring any animosity toward another man.
If you haven't seen this show, take the time to watch it. As a boxing fan that saw Ali's career from start to finish, I found it very interesting. Not so much from any historical standpoint but from the human side of this violent sport and the insight of them men personally involved.