Boxing and Ali

Muhammed Ali passed away last night. I wasn't a big fan. Let me start negatively with that, and say why.

• I hate trash talking and seems to me that he popularized it. I'm sure people like Ty Cobb would hit a double and the have a few choice things to say to the second baseman. But that was just between them. Who did that kind of thing into a microphone for the world to hear before him? No one that I can think of.
• The Greatest. He's called that because that is what he called himself. Maybe I'll start calling myself The Greatest or Superman or Master of the Universe.
• I think he was overrated. He was named the top athlete of the 20th Century by Sports Illustrated. 
• Its fine that he was a Muslim, but the Muslims he hung out with weren't exactly role models.

I don't think he was the athlete of the century, and I'm not even sure he was the best boxer ever. I looked up records of other top boxers.

• Muhammad Ali: 56 - 5
• Gene Tunney: 61-1
• Sonny Liston: 50-4
• Rocky Marciano: 49-0
• George Foreman: 76-5. A great fighter and made the world a much better place with advancements in hamburger technology.
• Joe Louis: 68-3. And as opposed to Ali, fought in WWII when drafted.

I know records aren't the total measure, but I think Ali is one of the greatest ever, but not the clear all-time greatest. He got a boost by his personality and publicity.

On the plus side, I really did like him. I think he's one of the top fighters and I would put him in the top 15 all-time athletes of the last century. It isn't number one, but still pretty good. I think he mellowed in his views over time and became a less self-centered person.

He has a nice museum in Louisville. I was there a couple time, but never went to it. Maybe I should have.

This makes me think about the state of boxing. I hope they'll be able to do with him like some football players that have passed away and look at what has happened to his brain. For all the talk about football, it seems like boxing would do a lot more damage to your brain. If they find a definite link, I think that could really damage the sport and maybe end it.

Speaking of that, boxing has really gone downhill. Who is the current heavyweight champion? I have no idea. I can't even name one heavyweight fighter. Back in Ali's day there was Ali, Frazier, Foreman, and Howard Cosell all popularizing the sport. Now you have to pay to watch boxing. I'm sure they make a lot of money from that, but now boxing has a very small fan base. I was invited to watch a pay-per-view fight once. It was the one where Holyfield had his ear bitten. That was great that I got to see that bit of history, but usually not worth the money.

So long Muhammed. I'm sorry I trashed you a little bit above. I really did like you.