Muhammad Ali: A Tribute to the Greatest

WBA sanctions eight-man tournament for championship … Durham convinces Cloverlay to pass up tournament. Didn’t like fixed money: $50,000–$75,000–$125,000 for three fights. Doesn’t want so many risky fights. Frazier angered by Yank’s decision. Later sees it was correct.

WBA dropped Frazier from 2 to 9 in rankings. Jimmy Ellis won WBA title.

Joe knocks out Buster Mathis to win New York State championship at Madison Square Garden.

JF: ‘I knew I’d never feel like the champ till I beat Clay in the ring.’

Clay moved to Philadelphia … JF met doing roadwork … Clay seemed down and out. Said he had financial problems. Unable to leave US to fight. Unable to get licence to fight in US. Buried by legal fees and alimony problems … Muslims wouldn’t loan him money. Told Joe his friends and supporters had abandoned him. Very depressed.

Beginning of strange relationship that existed during next few years … JF felt sorry for Clay. Wanted to help Clay because black brother … Once joined Clay at mosque.

Contact during next few years mostly by phone. Got to know Clay better.

One time, JF teased Clay about car. Felt bad when Clay seemed embarrassed.

Phone conversation: Clay said he wished he’d gone in Army. Said he’d been misled; lawyers told him he’d get off easy.

JF began to wonder about Clay’s relationship with Muslims … Clay seemed trapped … Joe convinced Muslims are phoney. Learned hypocrisy of leaders … No longer respected Nation of Islam. Impressed they are anti-drug and for black business. Respects their pride in blackness. But feels they are hypocrites. Their ministers don’t practise what they preach. Leaders live in luxury; followers are poor. They are violent, even against each other. They use the black movement and the little man as a front.

Clay asked JF for publicity … ‘Don’t leave me out here alone’ … Said he didn’t care what name JF used. Joe originally used ‘Ali’ and ‘Clay’ interchangeably. Joe asked what name he wanted: ‘I don’t care. Call me nigger.’

Chance meeting. Joe doing roadwork in Fairmont Park. Clay suggested mock fight. Joe rejected: ‘I don’t go for crap.’

Yank and Clay press Joe to knock Clay. Joe reluctant. Really, nothing against each other … Clay encourages … Joe doesn’t like it but goes along. Inner suspicion Clay will turn on him and ‘use this stuff on me’ … But dismisses idea: ‘He’s a brother and a religious man.’ Assumes Clay will eventually defuse phoney feud.

JF calls Clay ‘un-American’ … Not true feelings. Believed much Clay said was valid. Joe opposed Vietnam war … ‘It does no good’ … He opposed killing. People assumed opposite because he was Clay’s rival … Didn’t speak out against war because he knows little and doesn’t presume to tell others.

JF agrees to series of staged confrontations with Clay.

PAL 23rd Street Gym in Philadelphia. Joe got angry at ‘real champ’ taunts. Police called.

Mike Douglas taping, next day. Clay friendly in private. Joe asks him before show to ‘cool it’ … On set, Clay whispers ‘hold me’ and starts scene. Joe angry.

Cheetah in New York City, next night. Joe invited Clay into dressing-room … ‘But cut the shit’ … Clay beats on and breaks door. Joe angry. Disliked surprise scenes.

Joe tiring of Clay’s act … ‘He’s like a little kid that can’t stop’ … Dislikes role that has so many blacks down on him. Frustrated that people, especially blacks, appear to be against him and for Clay … Complained to Yank: ‘It’s making us look bad’ … Yank dismissed: ‘Don’t worry; there’s no harm’ … Yank saw big money down the road.

Frazier reputation growing. Perceived as legitimate opponent for Clay.

Regardless of rivalry, Yank not convinced Joe is ready. Bruce Wright [Frazier’s attorney] told Joe he could avoid Clay: ‘You don’t have to fight him. He won’t get a licence if you say you won’t fight him. Clay is finished if you say “no”.’

Joe always said ‘yes’. When promoters or writers called about Clay, Joe said he would fight him. At banquets, told [New York State Athletic Commission chairman] Dooley and [Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission chairman] Wildman that he wanted them to license Clay.

JF victories over Manuel Ramos, Oscar Bonavena [rematch] and Dave Zyglewicz.

June 1969: Joe training for Quarry fight … Yank told Bruce Wright, ‘Joe’s ready for Clay.’

Movement to get Clay–Frazier … Yank had kept contact and had good relationship with Herbert Muhammad [Ali’s manager]. Yank and Herbert agreed to 50–50 split.

Series of false alarms … Murray Woroner offer, $1.2 million [for Ali–Frazier fight] in Tampa or Orlando. Vigorous political and veterans opposition … Astrodome offer. Roy Hofheinz promises governor will license. Contracts sent to Texas. Hofheinz admits governor wouldn’t go along. Deal killed by Texas politics … Joe met with Detroit promoters at Yank’s house. Clay parties at meeting. Contract signed. Nothing happens.

Joe began to doubt fight would take place. Yank pessimistic. Convinced Clay going to jail. Bruce Wright to Harry Markson [president of Madison Square Garden boxing]: ‘Get Ellis.’

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