Muhammad Ali is probably the most well-known sports star of the late 20thC having numerous books, documentaries and films made about him. I'd already seen films such as "Champions Forever" and "Facing Ali" but Ken Burns updated PBS series that chronicles Muhammad Ali's life and career is definitely worth a watch. It's well done and for anybody that remembers Ali it's a nostalgic trip down memory lane with interesting commentary and analysis from journalists, family members, other boxers and
trainers. It wasn't just nostalgia about boxing or his personality, Burns clearly wanted to conflate this with the civil rights struggle in the USA during 1960's and 1970's that Ali got enmeshed in.
It was the first time an American athlete had become an international sports personality, a celebrity and a showman all at the same time. His party piece was supreme confidence, brashness, incredible boxing skills and bravado which included disparaging nick names towards his opponents. He was loved in many quarters and people who didn't particularly like boxing tuned in to see him win, although others who disliked him tuned in to see him lose. At his peak years he fell afoul of the US government with his refusal to be drafted into the US army during the Vietnam war.
I have to point out that he was very popular in the UK and his close friendship and praise towards British fighter Henry Cooper who he fought twice did a lot to endear him to the British public as all his fights were broadcast on tv. He was Americas most well-known sports star. All four of the USA's major sports were not available on UK tv so people never knew the likes of Hank Arron, Bobby Orr, Terry Bradshaw or Bill Bradley who were huge stars in North America. Although golf stars such as Lee Trevino and Jack Nicklas as well as tennis stars Billie Jean King and Jimmy Connors were well known... they'd appear for a couple of weeks in the summer and then you wouldn't see them till they returned the following year. Ali was always on tv, either being interviewed or in the Boxing ring. He was generally well like by the British media and there is probably no doubt that he liked being in the UK as he had less scrutiny there that he did from some media outlets in the USA.
The world heavy-weight boxing champion was the jewel in the crown of boxing and coverage of this was very much in the national consciousness. There are four episodes of this documentary which is appropriate as you could easily divide Ali's boxing career into four phases.
The first one is from the Olympic games in 1960 up to 1967 when he was stripped of his titles and had his boxing license revoked. The second phase was the comeback in 1970 to the third Joe Frazier fight in 1975 where he was very active. Ali's third phase was from 1975 to 1978 where he was matched with some weak fighters and wasn't as impressive or dominant as he had been in the past, nevertheless, was good enough to get the decision with the exception of the first Leon Spinks fight. After losing to the ordinary Spinks in February 1978, he was able to avenge that loss by winning the WBA belt from Spinks later in the year. The last phase was his two fights in 1980 and 1981 where he was easily out pointed and were both difficult to watch.
In his prime Ali was clearly the better boxer than his contemporaries he was just too quick on his feet and had fast reflexes, however after the suspension for three and a half years which were prime years he seemed to lose a step. He probably got into the ring with Joe Frazier too soon as the layoff clearly affected him. However, despite his cockiness and his massive ego and quick wit, it has to be said that he was incredibly tough. After the Frazier loss Ali was very busy for the next two years as he fought 11 times which must have been incredibly difficult and draining on him. Ali was gifted that he could avoid punches like no other heavy weight but if he did get caught, he could certainly take a punch. He even recovered from a broken jaw in 1973 to win the world heavy weight title the following year against the heavily favored and fearsome George Foreman.
Something I didn't fully appreciate was that Muhammad Ali was born in raised in a part of Louisville in what was regarded then as a middle-class black neighborhood. He went into boxing for something to do rather than to defend himself against bullies. Joe Frazier, George Forman and Ken Norton for example took up boxing as to defend themselves on the tough streets of their neighborhoods in places like Philadelphia, Houston and New York. In a strange way Ali changing his name from Cassias Clay to Muhamad Ali and joining the radicle nation of Islam didn't seem like a good fit. Did he really believe in what he was saying and supported the cause or was he just doing it for some form of publicity stunt that backfired and didn't work out for him??
Muhammad Ali, a character, a great fighter, yet not a perfect person lived life to the full during his prime years, unfortunately had his life turned upside down due to a Parkinson's diagnosis in 1984. I personally didn't find it inspiring or great to see him lighting the Olympic flame in 1996 in Atlanta but found it unfortunate and awkward to see this former prime athlete, trembling, seemingly unsteady, bewildered and appearing much older than he was, yet despite that, I'll always remember him as he was, and to me he will aways be known as "the greatest". I'd certainly recommend this series.
