Muhammad Ali Marathon on ESPN Classic
 

It looks like they are running his fights chronologically. I hated Ali as a kid but have grown to appreciate his brilliance over time. I really miss that boxing era. I especially have enjoyed watching the interaction between Ali and Cossell.

I'm watching it. It brings back memories. I hated Ali early on too but it soon became obvious the "Louisville Lip" was more than just talk. He could drop his hands and they still couldn't hit him.

I'm looking forward to the upcoming Frasier fights. :clap:

Boxing was a great sport back then and the heavyweights were the best part. Ali, Frazier, Quarry, Foreman, Bonavena, Spinks......Everybody knew those names and championship fights were a big deal.

I'm told that today the UFC fights are more popular than boxing. Is that true?

Thanks for the heads up, Mr. JimNasium.

My father hated Ali, but I always liked him. His refusal to serve in Vietnam while willing to step into the ring with a man/beast like Frazier was paradoxical - as was his conversion to Islam. He was a man for the times, to be sure. Someday, there will be another heavyweight with his combination of speed, size, power, and ability to take a punch, but they are very rare.

FAX

I remember the first Ali/Frazier fight. Every kid I knew had an opinion about who would win but the opinions seemed to be divided by the political leanings of our parents. It was bigger than boxing.

Ali really was The Greatest, IMO.

I'll bet most of us would have trouble naming more than 5 heavyweights who are actively boxing right now. :shake:

I certainly can't.

He just brutalized Jerry Quarry in this fight. Wow.

I couldn't

I could tell you 5 mma fighters though

The "Thrilla in Manila" was the best fight I've ever seen. Duran - Leonard 1 was a close second.

Rausch will be PISSED if he misses this.

That's what my 30 y/o son tells me. I watched some of those mma (?) fights with him a few weeks ago. He knew every fighter on the card. But he says that he and his friends, all sports fans, don't watch much boxing at all.

I wonder what happened?

This next one should be good. Bonavena gave Ali all he wanted IIRC.

What about Hagler-Hearns?

Don King and PPV.

That one was right up there. I don't think I got to see that one. I had to go to Kemper to see Duran - Leonard on closed circuit.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qHqEUX2Vw6k&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qHqEUX2Vw6k&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EJLmjsnD09w&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EJLmjsnD09w&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

I used to go see all the big fights closed circuit. Leonard/Duran, Leonard/Hearns, Holmes/Cooney, Holmes/Berbick. I liked that much better than the PPV. When the PPV's came along you had to either go to a overcrowded and rowdy bar or stay home and pony up $50 or more. IIRC, the closed circuit tickets were about $15-20.

Yeah, I guess so. But I'm surprised they screwed it up so bad that it's still not recovered all these years later.

I saw Holmes-Cooney at a bar on a pirated satellite signal. My first satellite experience.

lack of competition possibly but I think it's more of a result of more fights that are more accessible

imo ufc really took off when they got the spike deal plus the ultimate fighter

boxing you only get to watch your fav fighter once a year if you're lucky and then it costs out the ass

I think as mentioned above, Don King had alot to do with it.

I also think the fact that Larry Holmes didn't have anyone close to his level for so many years. I seem to remember he was unbeatable longer than Tyson was, and no one came close until he started getting old. I can't remember who he was fighting, but I remeber him asking a ref how many more times the ref wanted him to hit his losing opponent before the ref would stop the fight.

Dinny

off the top of my head--the klitchkos, hasim rahman (sp?), evander holyfield (he came back, didn't he? needs to retire) and I can't come up with a fifth. maybe butter bean?

sad. and I was brought up to appreciate boxing in the days when mike tyson was unbeatable. wow, how far the sweet science has fallen :shake:

Holyfield came back and lost something like 5 of 8. He needs to retire if he didn't.

IIRC, he was having money issues and had to box to satisfy baby mamas. and when you take as many blows to the head as some porn star, it's kinda hard to get a 9-5 that pays enough to pay off the former golddiggers.

Joe Frazier's head is as hard as a concrete block.

Honestly, I couldn't tell you the current heavyweight world champ without a quick google.

We used to get to see fights on TV, but nowadays, all the good ones are PPV so the average joe doesn't get to see enough nowadays to even know who's boxing anymore.

I also think the Heavyweights really need 15 rounds to decide. I understand for health and safety, but even back in the day of great heavy hitters, most fights would go more than 12 rounds. Guy gets KO'd nobody can doubt the winner.

I agree Ali was a rare combination of any and all boxing talents.
He certainly deserves to have his name mentioned among "the best of all time."

The universe wouldn't let me.

I bet I haven't checked that channel in 2 years. I was just bored today and looked through for some HOF ceremony stuff an-.....oOOOOOOhhhh...lookie there.

Wait, does he fight Wepner or that other oaf he just be-...nice...I can plant the stuff we bought then. Shower, only miss the early rounds.

And of all things I just got Ali: The Whole Story - Pt. 1 in the mail today.

Didn't even have ta' use mah' A-K...Today was a good day...

Right before the rest of 'em...

It just sucks that he was robbed of three years of his career--however, he was a world class prick to Frazier, calling him a gorilla when the guy gave him money periodically during his hiatus and supported him throughout his entire legal challenge.

Ali understood the hype was where the money comes from. He tried (numerous times) to explain that to Joe.

Joe just didn't get it.

Just like Foreman didn't get their fight's importance.

I don't remember Joe doing much for Ali either. Once joe started landing his hooks and checks he shelled out some sympathy cash. Agreed. But even back then Ali had a bigger plan.

Cube rep...

Most people hated Ali at first. But as he continued to destroy opponents, and clown around while doing it, we went over to his side. Ali was a showman.

While heavyweight boxing is kinda bleh atm. the Welterweights and Middleweights have some damned good boxers in it still. You just have to know what to look for. There was a fight last week that i posted a thread about, that was better then anything MMA could ever hope to dream of. I also like MMA, but imo it will never be on the same level. Entertainment wise anyways.

i disagree wholeheartedly

Me too.

"better then anything MMA could ever hope to dream of." ?

Please...

Yep, and i stand by what i say. I dont care if people dont agree with me. This is the internet. lol

That's right. I also have the right to think you're a silly bastard for it. :harumph:

:D

More Ali fights on right now on ESPN Classics. He's fighting Henry Cooper, the "Bayonne Bleeder" right now.