Happy Birthday Ali

[pup]

65 today.

Has anyone watched the ESPN shows Ali's Greatest and Ali Rap? Pretty enjoyable takes on the highlights of his career.

[swerb]

Anytime I see one of Ali's old fights on ESPN Classic, I can't turn the channel.

Such an amazing talent in his prime. The combination of size, speed, style, and power was scary.

Recently rewatched his fight with Chuck Wepner on Classic, which was here in Cleveland. Wepner was a big white stiff, had never been knocked down, methodically rose his way to a fight with Ali in John Ruiz fashion.

Ali just peppered Wepner in the head for several straight rounds. Wouldn't go down, just kept taking it. Ali was just dancing around him, lighting him up at will. And Wepner just kept taking it. Finally, a bloody mess later, the ref had mercy and ended it.

And for my $$$, the three Ali/Frazier fights are as good as it gets in boxing history. The story and subplots to those fights, the runup, and then the fights themself.

Howard Cosell's "Down goes Frazier, down goes Frazier!" ... one of the most classic calls of all-time.

My 18 month old sons actually started saying it, as I say it every time he falls on his ass.

[Guest]

I have never watched him fight and refuse to

[British_Pharaoh]

I have never watched him fight and refuse to

is that cos u want to be noticed by being controversial and being the only person in the world to dislike Ali

[Guest]

The only person to dislike him?
I don't think so
I don't care for people who don't respect this country
He is a draft dodger to me and nothing else.
This is coming from someone whose father was in Vietnam.

[British_Pharaoh]

The only person to dislike him?
I don't think so
I don't care for people who don't respect this country
He is a draft dodger to me and nothing else.
This is coming from someone whose father was in Vietnam.

guess the man was braver and more conscious about what was going on than your father

[Guest]

Braver?
By ducking the draft??? That is pretty brave. He is a bitch
Give me a fucking break
How is he doing now on his B-Day?

[pup]

The best part of the Wepner fight is Wepner kept hitting him in the back of the head and the ref would do nothing, so Ali just started pounding him right back on the back of the head. Classic Ali.

Danny - please do not disrespect someone's father like that. There is a lot of pride in this country for the men who fought in Vietnam, especially when it is one's blood. You guys still bitter about that whole American Revolution thing or what?

Spoon - Never knew you hated Ali. Obviously a respectable decision, but you are missing out on the best in your favorite sport. That has to be tough.

[Guest]

Thanks Pup
It isn't tough at all for me

[swerb]

Danny, this is your last warning. I've begged you very nicely on PM's twice now.

Any more of your America hating bullshit, and flamewar starting, and I'll ban your IP.

You can go do that shit at that cesspool Cleveland.com, not here.

If you want to come here and respectfully talk Cleveland sports, you're more than welcome. But everything you post is either anti-American, or condesceding towards another forum member.

Plus, that man is my uncle. And had more bravery in his pinky finger than Ali, who dodged the draft and spoke against this country in the name of "religious reasons", yet had no problem making millions here, and taking up residence here.