It is my view that Ali has taken all the good sportsmanship out of sport. His shtick of self-promotion, showboating before, during and after his matches and the press’s fawning all over that sent out a very clear signal to the young, future athlete. Be “the Greatest,” have a memorable line or two to say when the mike is thrust your way, have some little “act” during the competition that sears (”sears”) “you” into the memories of young people and you’ll be the next ONE.
I always thought he was a great boxer and I always hoped his opponents would be the one to shut him up.
I miss athletes like Mark Bavarro.
“I always thought he was a great boxer and I always hoped his opponents would be the one to shut him up.”
That was the key to Ali’s success. A true “love him or hate him” character. He would have been a great professional wrestler.