Ok this is heresy but was Ali actually a total knob?

[Kev]

Ok I'm up late watching a rbr commentary of Frazier Ali 2 in which both Ali and Frazier were in the studio providing the commentary.

Ali is a complete douche! Calling the interviewer a white bigot and saying he lost the fight because of racism, e taunts Frazier relentlessly during the show causing Frazier eventually to stand up and square up to Ali who then jumps up and wrestles him to the floor.

Frazier then leaves in disgust but Ali is still there loving the platform he has and talking absolute shit

I don't think any boxer could get away with the crap he did back then and now I'm watching this willing Frazier to knock him the fuck out!

Anyone else ever seen this doc, or have recollections of Ali actually sometimes being a total Mayweatheresque tool?

[Gandalf]

Im sure he could be a knob when the fancy took him, especially when trying to hype a fight. Calling him Mayweatheresque is a bit much though! I always thought of Ali as quite intelligent.

I disagree with some of Ali's views when it comes down to issues such as race and religion. He seemed quite racist but then you look and see Angelo Dundee in his corner. Ali is awash with contradictions like that. He was very smart, but his actions would oftentimes show him up as a hypocrite. Women should not dress too liberally because it might attract other men, and yet he would cheat on his wife. Hmm.

[rjj tszyu]

Ali could come across somewhat arrogant, but he was nothing like Mayweather and his antics were pretty much for the benefit of selling the fight. He was a genius at this which is why he is the most popular sportsman of all time!

Oh yes and the fact he was the greatest too

[Memphis]

Sure he could be a prick. He took Frazers handouts when he was suspended and then mocked Frazer to the point of Joe hating him. Selling a fight or not as far as Frazer was concerned Ali went way too far.

When Ali lit the Olympic flame Frazer said he wanted him to fall in, now thats funny

Ali was either very clever and said all of the things he said tongue firmly in cheek, or he was a complete twat who insulted anyone and everyone when the opportunity presented itself, people just assumed it was the witty commentary of an intelligent man and not the words of a thick racist.

[deadlypete]

its funny because ali in his time at top was not very well liked at all but to really understand the racisim etc u have to place yurself in that period of time when he was coming up and became champion(martin luther kings time malcom x black marches for equality etc)when we look back in time now and c his interviews and comments and antics sure he comes across as a bit of a self centered clown but those were the times back then and too the white heirachy he was a mouthy black who didnt know his place(polishing the white mans superior shoes)and was a great inspirational hero to the black man....especially in that vietnam war era(no viet cong ever called me a nigga haha)he was a symbol of strength intelligence confidence(very cocky)wittyness and articulate for the black people when they needed all that.....long live the self proclaimed greatest
ps he did apologise eventually to fraizer but alwaysaid wat he did was in jest, the reason joe took it so personally was because joe trully liked ali and regarded him as a friend and felt alis antics was not necessary and too over the top

[Howlin Mad Missy]

its funny because ali in his time at top was not very well liked at all but to really understand the racisim etc u have to place yurself in that period of time when he was coming up and became champion(martin luther kings time malcom x black marches for equality etc)when we look back in time now and c his interviews and comments and antics sure he comes across as a bit of a self centered clown but those were the times back then and too the white heirachy he was a mouthy black who didnt know his place(polishing the white mans superior shoes)and was a great inspirational hero to the black man....especially in that vietnam war era(no viet cong ever called me a nigga haha)he was a symbol of strength intelligence confidence(very cocky)wittyness and articulate for the black people when they needed all that.....long live the self proclaimed greatest
ps he did apologise eventually to fraizer but alwaysaid wat he did was in jest, the reason joe took it so personally was because joe trully liked ali and regarded him as a friend and felt alis antics was not necessary and too over the top

So that's ok then. I think he went a bit mental when the X brotha's got hold of him.
Ali paved the way for trash talking.
Was it ok for him to say white folks were snakes? Gee ok not all of them but why would he risk getting bit? That's fine, then we're all ok with stating there are black folks and there are niggas?

[BIG H]

its funny because ali in his time at top was not very well liked at all but to really understand the racisim etc u have to place yurself in that period of time when he was coming up and became champion(martin luther kings time malcom x black marches for equality etc)when we look back in time now and c his interviews and comments and antics sure he comes across as a bit of a self centered clown but those were the times back then and too the white heirachy he was a mouthy black who didnt know his place(polishing the white mans superior shoes)and was a great inspirational hero to the black man....especially in that vietnam war era(no viet cong ever called me a nigga haha)he was a symbol of strength intelligence confidence(very cocky)wittyness and articulate for the black people when they needed all that.....long live the self proclaimed greatest
ps he did apologise eventually to fraizer but alwaysaid wat he did was in jest, the reason joe took it so personally was because joe trully liked ali and regarded him as a friend and felt alis antics was not necessary and too over the top

Did he? I understood that he sent his son into Frazier's dressing room to say sorry, but never did it in person. May be wrong

[smashup]

Yeah true..infact Frazier is still bitter to this day.
Anyone see the recent Thrilla in Manilla documentary?
Brilliant stuff and i think it was on More4 of one of the channel 4 sister channels.
It still upsets him being called an "Uncle Tom" etc.

[Howlin Mad Missy]

its funny because ali in his time at top was not very well liked at all but to really understand the racisim etc u have to place yurself in that period of time when he was coming up and became champion(martin luther kings time malcom x black marches for equality etc)when we look back in time now and c his interviews and comments and antics sure he comes across as a bit of a self centered clown but those were the times back then and too the white heirachy he was a mouthy black who didnt know his place(polishing the white mans superior shoes)and was a great inspirational hero to the black man....especially in that vietnam war era(no viet cong ever called me a nigga haha)he was a symbol of strength intelligence confidence(very cocky)wittyness and articulate for the black people when they needed all that.....long live the self proclaimed greatest
ps he did apologise eventually to fraizer but alwaysaid wat he did was in jest, the reason joe took it so personally was because joe trully liked ali and regarded him as a friend and felt alis antics was not necessary and too over the top

Did he? I understood that he sent his son into Frazier's dressing room to say sorry, but never did it in person. May be wrong

Yep H & Smash. Same documentary that I saw. Very good.

[Scrap]

He was my idol the Man could do no wrong. But looking back with hindsight it makes you wonder. Joe Louis did just as much for Blacks in the war years than anybody in a qiute way, with Dignity and Respect. As Roy Jones says, people forget.

[porkypara]

Ali could be a knob as you put it at times but I think that goes for most people.


At times Ali crossed the line with Fraizer because I dont think Ali 100% knew where the line was.


And yes he was a total hypocrite in a lot of ways.Race Religion women ect.

He always did what his heart said which was could be right or wrong.

The bad I have already mentioned,the good he did not join the US army to be part of an unjust system even though he could have gone and avoided putting his life in danger.
Not many other people would give up what Ali did (world title,popularity,money) and for that he will always have the respect of most of the world.

[Wayne]

Ok I'm up late watching a rbr commentary of Frazier Ali 2 in which both Ali and Frazier were in the studio providing the commentary.

Ali is a complete douche! Calling the interviewer a white bigot and saying he lost the fight because of racism, e taunts Frazier relentlessly during the show causing Frazier eventually to stand up and square up to Ali who then jumps up and wrestles him to the floor.

Frazier then leaves in disgust but Ali is still there loving the platform he has and talking absolute shit

I don't think any boxer could get away with the crap he did back then and now I'm watching this willing Frazier to knock him the fuck out!

Anyone else ever seen this doc, or have recollections of Ali actually sometimes being a total Mayweatheresque tool?

As much as I like Ali, I think that's backwards. Ali could be a downright jerk, particularly what he did to Frazier, calling him an Uncle Tom after Joe pretty much underwrote his life. Mayweather's antics are strictly in hyping a fight. I saw him in person and the guy was EXTREMELY humble, talking to fans, staying well past the time the press conference was set to be done to talk to whomever wanted to talk to him. He even signed a glove a Mexican kid brought over to him that Oscar had signed first. If Mayweather had ever been in a position where he needed assistance I just don't see him dogging that person after the fact. After every fight Mayweather has been nothing but gracious regarding his opponent, no matter who said what before the fight. Ali had nasty things to say about a lot of the guys he stepped in the ring with.

[Mark TKO]

yep complete hypocrite (especially regarding women) and a bit of a knob at times as has been said. I always used to take everything tongue in cheek with him.

have to admit looking back though as Scrap says it makes you wonder - especially after the More4 documentary.

Mayweatheresque ?!? No way - that guy is a complete bellend

[ElTerribleMorales]

Sure he could be a prick. He took Frazers handouts when he was suspended and then mocked Frazer to the point of Joe hating him. Selling a fight or not as far as Frazer was concerned Ali went way too far.

When Ali lit the Olympic flame Frazer said he wanted him to fall in, now thats funny

Ali was either very clever and said all of the things he said tongue firmly in cheek, or he was a complete twat who insulted anyone and everyone when the opportunity presented itself, people just assumed it was the witty commentary of an intelligent man and not the words of a thick racist.

people also need to keep in mind what time period this was all happening in, a time when you could get hosed down, had attack dogs set loose on you, and beaten down just cause you were black

[Taeth]

Both Ali and Robinson were arrogant pricks when they wanted to be. People criticize Mayweather and Roy Jones for being cocky, but Robinson and Ali were just as bad, and in Robinson's case he regularly beat his wife, and cheated on her which is something Ali obviously did as well.