Muhammad Ali KOs Sonny Liston in 1965 (AP Photo)
Today, 'The Greatest of All-Time' turns 68. Often imitated but never duplicated, Muhammad Ali transcended the sport of boxing.
He conquered the Philippines in 1975 with his sensational victory over Joe Frazier in their rubber match dubbed "Thrilla in Manila" at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
He stole the Filipino people's hearts with his flamboyant style and natural charisma which prompted for the Philippine government to even build a mall in his honor aptly named "Ali Mall".
Ali has been a big influence to generations of boxing fans and aspiring boxers all over the world. Filipinos definitely have a special place in their hearts and in their sports history for the pride of Louisville, Kentucky.
"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,"
"Last week I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick.. I'm so mean I make medicine sick," ; Just a couple of the phrases immortalized by The Greatest.
As a special treat on Ali's birthday, here's an excellent video by my man Gorilla over at Youtube. GP is one of the boxing community's best video producers and swept the recently concluded YTBC awards.
Gorilla Production's Tribute to THE GREATEST
Dennis "D Source" Guillermo is a freelance sportswriter. You can contact him through e-mail at hoodartz@yahoo.com.
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Comments
Now there's the real Greatest. He talks a lot but he backs his words with action, unlike this other wannabe "greatest", he only talks and no action.
Ali was loved by Filipinos ever since he is the inspiration of every Filipino boxer; his talent, his charisma, and his courage is the attitude of Ali that lingers among Filipino, He's the boxer that molds Pacquiao to be what he is today, the love to his fellow Filipinos and serve as a Pride to each and every one of us is Ali was deprived by the American Gov. because of his Principle Now Pacquiao is slipping into thAT trap of American System "MANIPULATION" "DISCRIMINATION" AND MOST OF ALL "DOMINANCE" PLAYING GOD TO HUMANITY
Ali is such a cocky trashtalker inside and outside the ring, he even trashtalked and degraded all his opponents, specially even to his fellow but humble and classy black Joe Frazer, he maliciously called him GORILLA,which might also refers to him, because both of them are blacks too.
I don't have respect for an arrogant and trashtalker guy who always enjoying disrecpecting and degrading his opponent, i have much respect for Joe Frazer instead, actually mayweather copied his antics from Ali, the arrogance,trashtalker and cockiness of him are much worst than ali did, HOWEVER Ali's badmouth was back-up by his fists, while mayweather is pure LIP-SERVICE.
FOR me the greatest heavyweight boxer is none other than "THE GREAT" ROCKY MARCIANO, he was very humble and respectful even inside and outside the ring, and besides he's undefeated before his death on a plane crash on that faithful day.
So what if we are in third world country!
So what if we are filipinos!
So what if we are poor!
The only thing we have is Dignity!!!!
The no one else cannot BUY with MONEY!
I love Ali. But as great and skillful that he was in the ring and with Dundee in his corner, they were never able to negate or somewhat neutralize Frazier's left hook or Norton's looping right.
Against Frazier, Ali should've been moving to his left (like peanut Holmes against Cooney) and to his right against Norton.
Ali is one of the greatest not because he said so, but because he backed it up. Mayweather Jr. says he's the greatest but deep down he's only hoping half the people he tells believe him. Mayweather Sr. on the other hand tries to rhyme hoping new boxing fans think he's the same person Ali was. Pathetic. But he knows people are not as dumb as he is so he instead calls himself the greatest trainer of all time. Sike!
Ali is the greatest! I have so much respect for Ali because he fought all of the great fighters fair and square. Unlike Pacquiao who always fights in catchweight, fought old boxing legends, and using steroids.
We're not poor country, we're rich in talents. There are some that don't share their wealth..............other countries love our country, because we're talented people. Filipino's places not only in sports................
Ali transcends boxing. He is great as a boxer but he was punished as a person with his disease. He was a loudmouth, a trashtalker that continuously insulted people. Look at where greatness and boastfulness will take a person. Joe Frazier is even a happier person today. Humility has its worldly rewards.
Cassius the Greatest Boxer from Kentucky, Floydius the Greatest Ever Chicken from Kenducky.
Happy birthday to the father of all trashtalks!!., self proclaim egomaniac Cassius Clay! No wonder Floyd Sr. and Floyd Jr. got their attitude from! Its probably why he(Ali) no longer could exercise his mouth due to all the TALKIN' he made during his prime. LOL!
He really trash-talk his opponents ,but he REALLY RESPECTS them!
and he always showed us a great fight!
there was a time when he was asked about it (why he trash-talk his opponents)...he said because if I do this they come and fight me with all they have got!
Joe Frazier was getting the most of Ali's trash talk,but Ali himself said that he hold a great respect for Frazier!
And I say: Ali IS one of a kind
Happy Birthday to the GREATEST BOXER!
lebo pride
mohammed ali junior right here ;) lebo pride
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