Muhammad Ali dies at age 74

[Roughneck93]

http://www.alanpun.com/

[regaleagle]

Very articulate and intelligent for a boxer that was often misunderstood by John Q Public and portrayed as a racist. I think in his era there were individuals that took advantage of his popularity and caused him even more malignment than he had already endured. He caused much of his own, but willingly did so for various reasons. Overall, one of the best ever, if not the most talented and intelligent boxer of all time. When he boxed......everybody wanted to watch.

[1st and goal]

He was a draft dodger.

[regaleagle]

He was a draft dodger.

Not really all that important in the grand scheme of things. The military has many, many people to choose from that want to serve....he didn't. Some want the benefits, some want the experience, some want a better opportunity, and some are very patriotic. Some have legacies in the family. And some don't have any desire whatsoever to be in a military lifestyle and serve. I'm a believer in free choice.....unless the situation dictates otherwise like in WWII.

[slingshot]

Never was a fan... Did not like the way he belittled his opponents and did nothing but loudly proclaim his greatness. Was a complete jerk until old age and medical problems caught up with him, then he became this 'great humanitarian'.

[speedbump]

I'm a believer in free choice.....unless the situation dictates otherwise like in WWII.

Changing religions and then hiding behind it,was a choice every American that was about to be drafted had. They didn't have those or any other of the free choices you're a believer in,because of people like cassius clay. Maybe they can bury him in a country he cared about.

[BwdLion73]

Not really all that important in the grand scheme of things. The military has many, many people to choose from that want to serve....he didn't. Some want the benefits, some want the experience, some want a better opportunity, and some are very patriotic. Some have legacies in the family. And some don't have any desire whatsoever to be in a military lifestyle and serve. I'm a believer in free choice.....unless the situation dictates otherwise like in WWII.

That's not quite right. He was not the only one who did not want to go to Viet Nam.

Some people were raised different and were taught that it was their duty as an American. I registered as did most. Believe me when I tell you that when my Birthday lotto number was double digit I was confident that against my wishes it was time to sing "and its one two three what are we fighting for...don't matter I don't give a damn...next stop is Viet Nam".

He was a great Boxer and I wish nothing but the best for his family in their time of loss, but I still have trouble with some accolades he receives.

I kind of like Nixon for saving me...

[regaleagle]

Wasn't saying that I agreed with his choices.....only that he made them and was a great boxer despite all his malignment.....whether self-imposed or not. We all have choices to make in life, and some regrets with certain choices we make along the way.

[bobcat1]

He was great at boxing and running his mouth. Did not agree with the change in name and religion just to avoid serving. Didn't like that he called Frazier Uncle Tom or Gorilla. He should have never received any award in my opinion.

[Tejastrue]

We must consider and keep in mind the time frame and the mindset of our culture. I really can't say...being in his shoes..what choices I would have made. With that said he was indeed an integral part of sports history and very influential towards American history.

[griff]

I'm in agreement with bobcat1, speedbump, and slingshot.

Ali's status in boxing lore comes from the fact that if you say something loud enough and long enough, people will believe it. Ali coined the phrase "I'm the greatest" and over time the gullible masses just sucked it up. Ali was the greatest SELF-PROMOTER and SHOWMAN the boxing world ever saw, but he was NOT the greatest boxer of all time. Not even the greatest heavyweight. To this day he is likely still the most recognized athlete of the last century, but I was not a fan. Draft dodger, absorbing himself in a religion that promotes hatred for America, calling Joe Frazier "Uncle Tom" and many other personal insults of opponents, all of the fights where he was given a winning decision when he clearly lost (esp. Ken Norton and Jimmy Young fights), and the undeserved "humanitarian" recognition. He is probably the one athlete most responsible for popularizing trash-talking and disrespect for your opponent. He had no shred of good sportsmanship in him. For all the reasons listed, I despised him.

The rope-a-dope strategy he used against George Foreman and Ron Lyle would have garnered him a disqualification if those matches had occurred a few years later. You can't just stand around the ring and cover up. If you don't fight back, you will receive a deduction in points and if it continued, a disqualification.

[Third]

The rope-a-dope strategy he used against George Foreman and Ron Lyle would have garnered him a disqualification if those matches had occurred a few years later. You can't just stand around the ring and cover up. If you don't fight back, you will receive a deduction in points and if it continued, a disqualification.

Your opinion on everything else is your opinion and I respect your right to it but on this point I'm confused. He knocked out Foreman, how was he not fighting back?

[griff]

In the early rounds, Ali mostly covered up and did not throw punches. He tried the same thing against Ron Lyle, but Lyle conserved himself and did not take the bait. The obvious Ali strategy, especially in the Foreman fight, was to let George wing away and tire himself out. It worked, but in this day the ring official will deduct points if any boxer tried the rope-a-dope. If it continues after warnings and deductions, the ref will disqualify the fighter. The rules of boxing have evolved since Ali used that strategy, hence, no one tries this anymore.

[Macarthur]

He was a draft dodger.

No, he was not.
http://rare.us/story/muhammad-ali-wa...ople-who-were/

[BwdLion73]

No, he was not.
http://rare.us/story/muhammad-ali-wa...ople-who-were/

Jack Hunter....