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Sweet 66 - Happy Birthday Muhammad Ali
TUE January 15, BUSTER PARIS - Happy New Years folks – and yes - 2008 is a couple of weeks old, but the year doesn’t truly kick off until January 17th - that’s right - Muhammad Ali’s birthday. This year, the Greatest of ALL Times is turning 66!
This time of year I usually pass along some suggestions on how to celebrate the birthday of the greatest man to ever lace up a boxing glove, and here they are again for you to do either for the first time – or again – and please feel free to send me any suggestions that you have on how to honor the one and only, the Greatest of ALL Times … Muhammad Ali!
Watch When We Were Kings – This is the easiest and least time consuming way to celebrate the 66th birthday of our hero.
Here’s what you do, pop some popcorn, grab the family, some friends or just watch this by yourself.
Keep in mind the movie itself is somewhat dated as far as filmmaking goes. Get ready to travel back to the mid 1970's / early '80s filmmaking style. It's like a "Behind The Music" (VH1) before there was a "Behind The Music" and of course it's about the fight that took place in Zaire between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali.
"The Rumble in the Jungle".
You're watching some incredible interviews, some rare and great footage as well as learning a bit about the Africa of 1974 - and - grooving to the music (yup – that’s the Godfather of Soul - James Brown - you’re seeing).
You’re getting swept up in the excitement and the hype of what this is all about, then before you know it - an hour goes by - and just when you start to forget why this hoopla is all taking place to begin with - you see these two in the ring together and as they engage each other, stand toe to toe in the center of the ring it hits you. Hits you hard.
These are two legends. These are two giants that walk among us and this...THIS is the fight...THE FIGHT that forever will be part of boxing’s history, lore and the mythology of the sport. Even outside the world of pugilism this is something that will be part of the history of human kind. The enormity of the moment is almost overwhelming.
There’s an absolutely amazing moment during the pre-bell footage of the two of them in the middle of the ring – face to face – you’re witnessing one of the greatest stare down’s in history.
When We Were Kings is a terrific film. As a Muhammad Ali fan/worshipper I obviously own the DVD - it's a must have for my collection. If you haven’t actually seen the fight Muhammad does a lot better than we are all led to believe hearing the story of the Rope-A-Dope. He in fact holds his own and you see that it was actually a very close fight.
It is one of Muhammad Ali’s crowning achievements. You can see it in his face and his body. It pours out of him like sweat. It surrounds him in a glow. It is almost indescribable.
Imagine if you had a DVD of Siddhartha becoming the enlightened Buddha or of Jesus Christ’s Last Super - or of Moses first becoming aware of the Burning Bush.
Remember at this time Ali was considered on his way out, a finished fighter, an old man who has just lost the magic.
George Foreman was considered at the time an unbeatable monster the likes the world had never seen before. He was eating as snacks the very opponents that gave Muhammad considerable trouble.
A few fights earlier (March 1971) saw Joe Frazier beat Ali in 15 rounds. In 1973 Foreman played rag doll with Joe, relentlessly knocking him down and silly at will. He put him to bed in round 2.
Also in 1973 Ken Norton had 2 fights with Ali. Broke Ali’s jaw in the first bout as well as winning the split decision -- Ali got the split decision for their second dance. Both fights went the full distance and both were clearly some of Ali’s toughest battles.
Big George demolished Kenny easily in the 2nd round of their 1974 meeting. George may have broken a sweat, but you’ll have to review the tape.
So in 1974 it really wasn’t a question of who would win, but when would George put Ali away – and - how hurt would Muhammad be afterward.
This fight is Ali’s awakening, Ali’s miracle and another addition to the mythology and the legend of Muhammad Ali.
There are also some added benefits that a boxing enthusiast gets with this DVD. It's great to see Thomas Hauser, George Plimpton and Norman Mailer in action – and it's also always so fun to see George Foreman in his previous persona and seeing a young Don King, Drew ‘Bundini’ Brown and the others (too many to name here) -- and of course to see and hear Muhammad Ali!
Watching When We Were Kings is a great way to kick off 2008, a great way to celebrate Ali’s 66th birthday and a great way to take an hour and a half out of life to rejoice and remember the titans.
Other DVD’s to watch:
Muhammad Ali – The Whole Story
This is by FAR the GREATEST DVD set I have ever seen! It’s 3 DVD’s jam-packed with hours of some of the greatest interviews and greatest fights. It’s absolutely amazing. It’s the definitive work on Ali. There is simply nothing better out there.
Muhammad Ali – Through The Eyes Of The World
I was skeptical at first. I figured nothing could be nearly as good as Muhammad Ali The Whole Story, but this one was fun. There are lots of great, fun and rare footage as well as some great interviews, thoughts and memories from some pretty interesting people and a hilarious story from Billy Crystal in the Special Features section.
Books to Read:
The Muhammad Ali Reader by Gerald Early
Simply the best book I’ve ever read about Ali and I’ve read a lot. The book is brilliantly organized, it’s divided by decades - and you're given insights and perspectives of Muhammad Ali from some pretty impressive folks.
You travel through time and space with each page, with each chapter. You go through the 1960's, 70's, 80's and 90's with the Champ - it's incredible - I'm at a loss for words to describe what it's like to spend time here. You get this opportunity to travel 30 years with Muhammad Ali - to get different insights and looks at Muhammad Ali. You get to enjoy his youthful energy and watch him dance and you get to sit next to him and count the grays in his hair and watch his hands shake and just when you even think of feeling sorry for him he levitates off the ground or makes a hanky disappear.
I’m a Muhammad Ali fanatic and worshipper and this book is a must have for any Ali fan. This book has been like several books combined and has given me a full experience like nothing else out there.
Muhammad Ali: His Life And Times by Thomas Hauser
Thomas Hauser is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read almost all of his books and he’s an amazing talent and one of the pillars of boxing writing. He’s been called the AJ Liebling of our times.
This is a wonderful and in-depth look into Muhammad Ali's life as told by those closest to him, the chapters are told to you by Ali's friends, family, contemporaries and the man himself.
You really get a feeling for Muhammad - the person not just the boxer. I put the book down feeling closer to Muhammad Ali and I walked away from this book with such great feelings for Ali. I felt as if I'd laughed alongside with him - and that alone is worth reading this book.
So there you have it - those are my suggestions for ways to celebrate and reflect on Muhammad Ali as he turns 66 this year.
Actually – there’s one more thing - an equally important activity you can do either alone or with friends and family - join me in singing Happy Birthday. Let’s plan on January 17th – say ‘round noon time (EST).
On behalf of all of us here at TalkingBoxing.com: Happy Birthday Muhammad.
I hope that this birthday finds you well. Thank you for all the years of inspired, brilliant and dazzling boxing that you gave us. Thank you for profoundly changing the sport for the better. Thank you for conscientiously impacting the world around you and defining a generation. Thank you for being a power of example to every living being. Thank you for being my hero.
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions.
“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.”
---Muhammad Ali
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