After the United States escalated its involvement in Vietnam, Muhammad Ali once disqualified was now eligible for the draft. Muhammad Ali applied for Conscientious Objector status based on his religious beliefs. Ken Burns, Muhammad Ali IV: Round Two: What’s My Name? II
In March he would face Zora Folley at Madison Square Garden. While training in the arena’s basement Ali was approached by an up and coming 23 year old from Philadelphia who’d won his first 14 professional bouts. ‘I thought you were much larger,’ said Joe Frazier. ibid.
Within hours the chairman of the New York State Boxing Commission denounced his conduct as detrimental to the interest of boxing, stripping him of his licence to fight in New York. Almost every other boxing commission in the United States followed suit. The World Boxing Association took away Ali’s title for a second time. ibid.
His lawyers had just filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to reconsider his conviction. ibid.
‘I have changed because I have become wiser.’ Ken Burns, Muhammad Ali V: Round Three: The Rivalry I
By the time Muhammad Ali had regained his boxing license in 1970 many Americans had grown tired of the ever increasing body count, grim news reports and graphic imagery coming back from the front lines in the Vietnam War. ibid.
Ali’s return to boxing had demonstrated that he was still an enormous attraction. ibid.
Ali v Frazier: They’d signed the largest contract in the sport’s history guaranteeing them each $2.5 million. Never before had two undefeated champions faced each other for the heavyweight title. ibid.
It was Muhammad Ali’s first professional loss for his sentence for draft evasion loomed. Ken Burns, Muhammad Ali VI: Round Three: The Rivalry II
Beginning in July 1971 Ali … fought 9 times in 15 months while waiting for another shot at Frazier. His opponents often smaller, slower, or past their prime were carefully chosen to protect Ali from a second defeat that would have destroyed his career before he could face Frazier again. ibid.
Foreman was now the heavyweight champion of the world … He [Ali] would fight sixth-rank Ken Norton, a 6 foot 3 ex-marine … A second-round blow by Norton had broken Ali’s lower left jaw-bone. ibid.
Muhammad Ali’s loss to Joe Frazier in 1971 and then his comeback victory in their rematch three years later had softened perceptions of him. Ken Burns, Muhammad Ali VII: The Spell Remains I
Ali now 32 years old told jokes and stories just as he always had. He recited poetry, ordered his sparring partners to pummel him, and promised reporters that Foreman can’t hurt what he can’t hit. Bet the house on me, he told them. ibid.
Muhammad Ali and George Foreman accepted Mobutu’s millions. ibid.
Ali v Frazier III: When Marcos and his wife Imelda invited the fighters to the presidential palace, Ali brought Veronica not Khaliah. ibid.
Considered a long shot in his title match in Zaire in Africa, Ali promoted himself as a champion of black nationalism and Islam. And this time derided his opponent George Foreman as the Christian and the White Man’s hope. Ken Burns, Muhammad Ali VIII: The Spell Remains II
‘This is the most giant scene ever seen in the history of boxing. This is an incredibly scene. The place is going wild. Muhammad Ali has won! Muhammad Ali has won!’ ibid. UK post-fght commentary
Though he won each time, the 35 year old Ali was clearly in decline, slogging through round after punishing round, unable to avoid punches that he had once dodged with ease. ibid.
v Spinks II: Over 15 rounds Ali completely outboxed Spinks. Muhammad Ali had won the heavyweight championship for the third time. Someone no-one in history had ever done before. Thank God it’s over, said Ali. ibid.
‘My mom used to say she could see signs as early as the Spinks fights.’ ibid. Hana, daughter
Since retiring from boxing Ali’s condition had worsened: overweight and often fatigued he spoke softly and hesitantly and shuffled when he walked. ibid.
Ali and Veronica were growing apart. He had been cheating on her for years. ibid.
‘If the measure of greatness is to gladden the heart of every human being on the Earth, then he truly was The Greatest.’ ibid. Bob Dylan
He is giving up his fame. He is giving up millions of dollars in order to stand for what his conscience tells him is right. No matter what you think of his religion, you have to admire his courage. Martin Luther King