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Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Ali Nominated for 2007 Nobel Prize
LOS ANGELES - Muhammad Ali, three-time heavyweight boxing champion and one of the most recognized people in the world, is a nominee for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Co-nominated with Ali is Peter Georgi, Ali’s former senior humanitarian advisor.
The nomination is based on Ali’s and Georgi’s many years of effort to create the Children’s General Assembly, a new United Nations-authorized organization that will allow children to promote the following: world peace, environmental healing, sustainable development, the optimization of education, the improvement of health and healthy water supplies, ways to reduce the world’s mortality rate of children, remedies to the problems of hunger, malnutrition, AIDS and other diseases, illiteracy, drug abuse, and many other pressing issues that face an increasingly troubled world.
The Children’s General Assembly of Los Angeles, California is gathering more than 100 child ambassadors from around the world with the support of 179 governments that have unanimously approved the concept of giving children a meaningful voice in world affairs at the United Nations. Additional details can be found at http://www.childrens-general-assembly.org.
“You cannot find a better candidate than Muhammad Ali for the Nobel Peace Prize,” said Subash Razdan, chairman of the Gandhi Foundation USA, the organization that made the nomination. Ali and Georgi are the cofounders of the Children’s General Assembly and its launching organization, the Children’s Peace Foundation. Georgi, the organization’s chairman and president, conceived and financed the development of the Children’s General Assembly.
Muhammad Ali, an official United Nations Messenger of Peace, was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and has a long track record of promoting peace and helping children throughout the world. The Children’s Peace Foundation’s Honorary Board of Advisors includes Elizabeth Taylor, Lionel Richie, Whoopi Goldberg, Drew Barrymore, Rod Stewart,
Quincy Jones, Little Richard, Brooke Shields and many other celebrities. The Board of Advisors includes Claes Nobel, a senior member of the Nobel family of Sweden.
The winner of the prize will be announced in mid-October by the Nobel Committee.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Foreman Drugged Before Ali Fight?
Apparently that’s what George Foreman is saying in his recently published memoirs, “God in My Corner”.
Foreman states that he may have possibly been drugged just moments before his fight against Muhammad Ali in 1974’s famous “Rumble in the Jungle” when his trainer gave him a drink that tasted like medicine:
“I almost spit it out ... [I told my trainer] ‘Man, I know this water has medicine in it,’” Foreman wrote. “I climbed into the ring with that medicinal taste still lingering in my mouth.”
“After the third round, I was as tired as if I had fought 15 rounds. What’s going on here? Did someone slip a drug in my water?” he wrote.
We will definitely have more on this story as we gather the information…
Update 7:30 PM: Here’s an ESPN Motion clip where Foreman discusses the incident in detail…
Saturday, March 10, 2007
March 8, 1971… The Greatest Show on Earth
There are certain dates that will stick with you as long as you live. Your birthday, the birthdays of family members, anniversaries, the day that you got your divorce(s), etc… Happy and important days that mark milestones in your life.
One such date I’ll always remember is March 8, 1971. The “Battle Of The Century”, it was so aptly named. Two undefeated boxers who each had a legitimate claim to being the heavyweight champion of the world would collide. When Muhammad Ali first won the title in 1964 his name was Cassius Clay. He would shortly thereafter change his name and then proceed to change the face of boxing. He dominated the scene until 1967 when he refused induction into the US Military due to his religious beliefs. Then came the Eight Man Elimination Tourney that was won by Jimmy Ellis. The powerful New York State Athletic Commission would recognize the winner of a match up between unbeaten boxers Joe Frazier and Buster Mathis. A bout in which Joe won. In 1970 Frazier stopped Ellis to claim the vacated title. Later that year Muhammad Ali returned to ring wars and halted highly ranked contenders Jerry Quarry and Oscar Bonavena. The stage was now set. Ali and Frazier would clash for the undisputed title.
The first Ali - Frazier bout was the epic that all others are compared to, even today. There is no reason in this article to describe the bout itself. Reams of print have appeared documenting the action that took place in the ring that magical night. What I would like to share is the impact that fight on me and probably millions of others. I have never before or since March 8, 1971 felt the same way about a prize fight. Yes there were a few that stirred my anticipation like Duran-DeJesus II and III, Leonard-Duran I, Leonard-Hearns I, Pryor-Arguello I, Hagler-Hearns and Leonard-Hagler. Still to this day Ali - Frazier I tops them all.
Continue reading "March 8, 1971… The Greatest Show on Earth"
Monday, February 19, 2007
The Eight Man Elimination Tournament
April 27th of this year will mark the 39th anniversary of one of the World Boxing Association’s crowning achievements. The grand finale of their eight man elimination tournament to find a successor for the deposed Muhammad Ali.
Acting with the swiftness matched only by Mr. Dooley of the New York State Athletic Commission, the W.B.A. immediately stripped Ali of his crown when he refused induction into the Armed Forces. Eight ranking contenders were chosen to box off for the ultimate prize, the heavyweight championship of the world. The fortunate eight were: former champion Floyd Patterson, Ex W.B.A. titleholder Ernie Terrell, the Argentine strongman Oscar Bonevena, the fast rising Californian Thad Spencer, Angelo Dundee’s hopeful Jimmy Ellis, the “White Hope” sensation Jerry Quarry, 1964 Gold Medalist Joe Frazier, and Europe’s entry Karl Mildenberger of Germany. Frazier, the #1 contender by virtue of his fine record since turning pro declined the W.B.A.‘s invitation. The W.B.A. then inserted Leotis Martin to take his place.
The elimination tourney was scoffed at then and even today it is still scrutinized. What if the Vietnam War would not have wanted or needed Ali? What if Ali who had already “cleaned up” the division had remained active? Remember Ali defeated Paterson, Terrell and Mildenberger before he was forced to abdicate. He then won two out of three against Frazier and two over Quarry. He beat Patterson again and also whipped Bonevena and Ellis after a three year hiatus. Let’s say Ali remained active through 1970. He might have met Frazier as early as 1969. Joe would have been facing a lean, active and sharp Ali not the slow and rusty version he met in their 1971 epic. Also remember Joe would have had two years less experience then what he carried in 1971 . In 1969, Frazier was not yet the polished fighting machine he was to become. In my opinion the Frazier of March 8, 1971, would have given any heavyweight in history a life and death struggle including a prime Ali.
Continue reading "The Eight Man Elimination Tournament"
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Thursday, February 15, 2007
EEC - February 15, 2007
We focus on the lighter weight-classes this morning…
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- The Boxing Writers Association of America announced their annual awards yesterday. Who were some of the winners?
Fighter of the Year: Manny Pacquaio
Trainer of the Year: Freddie Roach
Fight of the Year: Somsak Sitchatchawal vs Mahyar Monshipour
Pat Putnam Award: Muhammad Ali
Broadcaster of the Year: Steve Albert
- Manny Pacquiao is now saying that he may wait for the winner of Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez before he fights again. That would mean his April 14th bout with Jorge Solis is now on hold…
- Speaking of Barrera-Marquez - Two of the undercard fights have been announced: Daniel Ponce De Leon vs Gerry Penalosa and Demetrius Hopkins vs Steve Forbes.
Some Good Reads:
Boxing Scene: Saturday’s Triple-Header: Quantity Over Quality?
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Friday, January 26, 2007
EEC - January 26, 2007
It might be the weekend but it’s certainly a slow one in terms of boxing…
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- Muhammad Ali and his wife have bought a $1.8 million dollar home in Louisvlle, Kentucky…
While the reason for the move has not yet been established one of the main reasons was given by the president of the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Mike Fox, who stated that the Ali family tries to come visit the center every other month but the length of the travel is becoming more and more difficult each time for Muhammad.
Ali also owns residences in Berrien Springs, Michigan and Phoenix, Arizona.
- Ulises Solis successfully defended his IBF Junior Flyweight Title last night when his opponent, Will Grigby, failed to answer the bell and get up from his stool when summoned just before the 9th round was to begin.
- Evander Holyfield has dropped M&M Sports as his promoter and signed on with Main Events, the promotion he originally started his career with.
The main reason for Holyfield leaving?
Because the pay-per-view lost so much money due to the poor buyrate and live gate figures, most of the undercard fighters, and Fres Oquendo, were initially stiffed or received checks that bounced. Lou DiBella, who promoted Oquendo at the time of the fight, was close to filing suit against Muhammad.There was a rumor that even Holyfield received a check that bounced, but it was never confirmed. Ironically, while fighters were being stiffed, Muhammad was offering IBF champ Wladimir Klitschko $20 million dollars to face Holyfield.
The New Jersey Herald-News is reporting that Holyfield’s first fight with the promotion will come this spring.
- Joe Calzaghe believes he is the best fighter from the UK, not Ricky Hatton…
“I saw the Hatton fight and it makes me think I could do better,” said Calzaghe. “Hatton looked good for the first four or five rounds, but, for whatever reason, he tired a bit. He won the fight comfortably, but it wasn’t a great fight to watch. I believe I’m the No 1 fighter in the country - and I want to prove myself over there (in America).”
Weekend Fights:
Friday -
Richard Gutierrez vs Teddy Reid - Uncasville, Connecticut - Junior Middleweight
Saturday -
Kelly Pavlik vs Jose Luis Zertuche - Anaheim, California - Middleweight (HBO)
Jorge Arce vs Julio Roque Ler - Anaheim, California, Junior Bantamweight (HBO)
Victor Oganov vs Richard Grant - Anaheim, California - Super Middleweight (HBO)
Zsolt Erdei vs Danny Santiago - Dusseldorf, Germany - WBO Light-Heavyweight Title
Some Good Reads:
Eastside Boxing: What if George Foreman had beaten Jimmy Young?
MaxBoxing: Barrera vs. Marquez: Better Late than Never
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Saturday, January 20, 2007
EEC - January 20, 2007
Vlad Klitschko and Ray Austin are going to clash on March 10th. Is this fight the beginning of the next wave of heavyweight bout signings? We will find out next week…
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- Is Junior Witter going to stop talking? Honestly, he hasn’t stopped once this week. I normally would go ahead and post away with the gossip but it’s different with Witter. See it’s just like he’s come out of nowhere, trying to steal the spotlight from the other three big fights this weekend.
He’s not even on the same level as the names he is throwing out there and the best thing about this - He has a fight tomorrow night. With his mind elsewhere I hope Witter loses and then cries like a little girl, serves him right for going Hollywood and not focusing on his opponent…
- Joe Frazier’s left hook is still just as fast, I promise…
Smokin’ Joe is still quick with a counterpunch.
Asked if he had any birthday wishes for Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier came right back.
“Whose birthday?” he said.
Never mind that Frazier was appearing at Madison Square Garden to help promote a documentary about the 50 greatest moments in Madison Square Garden history and that his first fight with Ali on March 8, 1971, was listed among the top five.
After good-naturedly pointing out that he also deserved birthday greetings for having turned 63 last Friday, Frazier wished Ali, “Happy birthday.”
- It’s offical: Manny Pacquiao will face Injin Chi of South Korea on April 28…
- Reports are saying that the price for the De La Hoya-Mayweather PPV on May 5th may be as much as $54.95.
- Anyone wondering what Hasim Rahman is up to? Here’s the latest…
Former two-time heavyweight champ Hasim Rahman (41-6-2, 33 KOs) will fight once-formidable contender Ray Mercer (34-6-1, 25 KOs) on Feb. 22 (Versus) at Mountaineer Race Track in West Virginia in his first fight since losing his belt via 12th-round knockout to Oleg Maskaev in August. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Rahman was going to fight Mercer rather than go to Germany in March for a proposed bout with former title challenger Luan Krasniqi. Arum said the fight in Germany might be made for late spring if Rahman beats Mercer, who hasn’t fought since Shannon Briggs knocked him out in the seventh round in August 2005.
Some Good Reads:
TSS: Is Boxing More Dangerous Than Football?
FOX Sports: Hatton’s Vegas tango with Urango
MaxBoxing: Compubox Analysis - Hatton vs Urango
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Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Ali Turns 65
As everyone probably already knows, today is Muhammad Ali’s 65th Birthday. It’s been a little over 25 years since Ali last stepped into the ring, yet is still one of the most widely talked about boxers today. I was listening to the radio this morning and they said the only thing Ali wanted for his birthday this year was a trip to his favorite magic shop to buy a couple of new things. Still the same kind of guy after all these years…
I guess you could call this KO Corner’s little tribute to Ali on his birthday. It’s a roundup of coverage that I will be updating as the day goes along. Feel free to leave any comments with stories or thoughts on Ali as well…
Update 9:45 AM: Suprisingly nothing from ESPN or FOX Sports yet today. Ali’s new official website is also supposed to go live today as well but that still hasn’t happened as of yet.
Update 1:49 PM: Both ESPN and FOX Sports have gotten into the act with articles and features. Ali’s official website is now up and running. Added about 20 new links…
Update 4:16 PM: The articles just keep on coming. David was nice enough to gather a bunch of videos from ESPN for me and I’ve gone ahead and posted them below. Enjoy. Also apparently I’ve been wrong about ESPN as they have had some content for a while now, I’m just an idiot.
Update 4:56 PM: Deadspin leads us to No Mas Magazine which has been posting about Ali all day long. All were added to the collection below…
Update 7:23 PM: A few more articles and blogs have been added but things are really slowing down at this point. I figure to get maybe a handful of newer links in later tonight if that.
Updated 8:54 PM: A few more links added and that about wraps it up. Now I can go relax and watch American Idol like the rest of the country…
US Newspapers
Philadelphia Inquirer: While Ali’s career is celebrated, Frazier’s is overlooked
NY Times: Time Stands Still for One Who Never Did
LA Times: Jumping into the ring and into life with Ali
New York Daily News: Happy 65th to our No. 1
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: No longer in full voice, ‘The Greatest’ turns 65
Chicago Tribune: Re-examining Ali
Seattle Times: Was Muhammad Ali also the heavyweight inventor of rap?
San Diego Union-Tribune: Boxing-Memories of Ali still vivid as ‘The Greatest’ turns 65
Louisville Courier-Journal: Ali turns 65 with a whisper and twinkle, Congress to be asked to honor Ali, Ali gets birthday greetings
Albuquerque Star-Tribune: Muhammad Ali turns 65
Charlotte Observer: Happy 65th, Ali
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Still The Greatest
Ohio Chronicle-Telegram: Muhammad Ali turns 65
South Bend Tribune: Muhammad Ali turns 65; is he still living in Berrien Springs?
More Ali Snacks Coverage
LA Times: For that rumble in the Stomach
Boston Globe: Snack food maker to use Ali’s image
BET: Boxer Muhammad Ali Hits Candy Biz
Doghouse Boxing: Ali’s Next Venture is with Mars
Ohio Beacon Journal: OSU students to taste test Ali’s snacks
TownHall.com: Ali to Market ‘Greatest’ As Snack Food
The Statesman: Ali lends his charm to snacks
Media Post’s Marketing Daily: New Snacks Pack Muhammad Ali’s Punch
FlexNews: Muhammad Ali Snack Food to Hit Shelves
US News
MSNBC: Ali at 65: Legend’s 10 greatest fights, Saluting Ali, a true champion, on his 65th
ESPN: The Champ Turns 65, Reflections at 65, My gift to Ali: Hope for peace
SI: Why Ali was so captivating inside the ring and out
FOX Sports: Ali’s legacy clearly has withstood time’s test
CBS News: Muhammad Ali Quietly Turns 65
USA Today: Ali at 65
Yahoo Sports: Ali quietly celebrates 65th birthday, Memories of Ali still vivid as “The Greatest” turns 65
World News
BBC Sport: Legend Ali reaches 65th birthday
UK Telegraph: Ali - The People’s Champ, Fighting Words
icWales: Truly the greatest
Slam! Sports: Ali a senior citizen, Is Muhammad Ali still “The Greatest of All Time?”
Metro: Sixty-five - and still The Greatest
Times Online: Never forget the danger in Ali, Muhammad Ali: Mad and Bad or The Greatest?
Belfast Telegraph: Ali at 65
India Times: Ali at 65 remains icon for the ages
Sportinglife: Cooper Hails Ali - Friend and Conqueror, Happy Returns Ali - You’ll Always Be The Greatest
Manchester.com: The Greatest Ali at 65
Eurosport: Happy Birthday Muhammad Ali:Remembering Two Fights That Gave Birth To His legend
Superboxing: Quiet 65th birthday for The Greatest
Zee News: Muhammad Ali – ‘The Louisville Lip’
City News: Muhammad Ali Turns 65 With His Body Broken But His Spirit Untouched
NDTV: Muhammad Ali turns 65
Moneycontrol: Best amateur ever wishes Ali the Pro
New Kerala: Muhammad Ali’s life in numbers
UK In the News: The Greatest – Ali at 65
Townsville Bulletin: Ali: birthday today, icon forever
Other News
Ali Center: Ali Center Celebrates Muhammad’s 65th Birthday
Inside Bay Area: Ali, now 65, is one for the ages
Doghouse Boxing: Lennox Lewis speaks on Muhammad Ali
AZCentral.com: Ali turns 65 quietly in PV
The Statesman: Ali, a living memory
Rediff News: Lord of the Ring
Mail and Guardian Online: Muhammad Ali: Icon for the ages
Philly Burbs: Ali’s a senior citizen now
RXPG News: Ali at 65 - a milestone for ‘The Greatest’
Photos
SI: The Lost Photographs
FOX Sports: Muhammad Ali retrospective
Videos
ESPN:
A Trial From God
Uniting the World
One Hell of a Man
Dazzling Speed and Agility
The Scholar of Boxing
Abbott and Costello
The World Listens
I’m a Freedom Fighter Now
Bruised, But Not Broken
Smoking, Joking, and Poking
Perfect Combination
Dethroned but Defiant
I’m Ready to Die
I Won’t Go
Truculent
The Nickname Master
Blogs
Deadspin: Celebrating Ali’s 65th
No Mas:
The Champ of Champs
Cassius Clay, Vocal Stylist
K.O.W. - The Power of Muhammad
If only, if only…
“You got the butterfly part down”
Warts and all
It was a chilla, and a thrilla…
“There was some shit in my face a minute ago, I know that”
BlogJam: Ali at 65
The Sweet Science: Today in Boxing History - Cassius Clay born in Louisville
Eastside Boxing: Happy Birthday Champ! Alex Ramos shares his birthday with legends Ali & Barrera
Harvard University Press Publicity Blog: Happy Birthday to Muhammad Ali
3quarksdaily: Ali Turns 65 Today
Britannica Blog: Ali’s Lost Legacy
Brand Flakes for Breakfast: MMM. Muhammad Ali Birthday Snacks
Talking Boxing: Sweet 65 - Happy Birthday Muhammad Ali
The Nation: Muhammad Ali: The Brand and the Man
The Catholic Packer Fan: Muhammad Ali turns 65—my brush with ‘The Greatest’...
Radar: Ali Can Finally Retire
EEC - January 17, 2007
I can’t believe it’s only Wednesday. This is the slowest week ever, probably because I’m looking forward to this weekend’s heavyweight title bout. Oh wait, it’s not televised I forgot, rat bastards…
News, Notes, and Rumors:
- Despite his recent arrest that we all know about, HBO has announced that Jim Lampley will be one of the broadcasters for the network’s showing of the Hatton-Urango bout this weekend.
HBO had actually considered taking Lampley off of the show but reconsidered once the media coverage of his arrest died down quite a bit. Lampley didn’t say much to the media about the charges but he did express his excitement about being able to help call the fight on Saturday…
“I am pleased that HBO recognizes there is no reason for me not to be working this weekend,” Lampley said. “This is my job, this is what I do. This is business as usual. I am really looking forward to covering Ricky Hatton’s first fight in Las Vegas and a fight at the Paris for the first time. I feel like even though it’s only been five weeks since I’ve called a fight, it feels like it’s been a long time. It will feel good to be back at ringside calling the fights.”
- The Philippines-Mexico World Cup of Boxing has been postponed to later this year according to promotor Sammy Gello-ani. Gello-ani said that the event was postponed because agreements with the managers of Daniel Ponce De Leon and Johnny Gonzales were unable to reached in time for the original date of March 4th.
The postponement will also allow Oscar De La Hoya to help promote the event since it will not fall during his traning for his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
- Danny Williams will take on British Heavyweight Champion Scott Gammer on March 2nd in very well might be the last bout of his professional career.
Gammer actually turned down an offer to fight Audley Harrison who recently defeated Williams. Gammer rejected the offer because he is hoping to take on the winner of a possible bout between Harrison and Matt Skelton should he defeat Williams in March.
- Calvin Brock unveiled his new online travel agency today.
Seriously, is boxing not paying anymore? Brock starts his own travel agency, Foreman travels around the world to sell his grills, Tyson is willing to do anything in this world to make money, Klitschko ran for mayor… There’s so many things. I’m not taking boredom after retirement as an excuse anymore either. We need to get to the bottom of this…
Anyway Brock said that he learned about the business through a friend and soon decided that it would be an interesting venture for him to start.
“The online travel industry is growing fast,” said Brock. “More people are comfortable booking their own travel and getting cheaper prices than using a traditional travel agency.”
I guess we will find out over the next year how fast the travel industry is growing won’t we Calvin?
- Tomorrow is Muhammad Ali’s 65th Birthday and I’ll be sure to gather up all of the articles and various things being thrown out there in a post tomorrow morning…
Some Good Reads:
ESPN: At 32, Bailey goes back to basics of sweet science
Doghouse Boxing: Is the end drawing near for Urango?
Seconds Out: Ricky Hatton - The Hard Sell
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Monday, January 15, 2007
Ali Snacks Hit Shelves Wednesday
Muhammad Ali, in cooperation with the famous Mars candy corporation, will be releasing new varieties of snack foods under a new company named G.O.A.T. - Greatest Of All Time. The snacks will hit shelves on Wednesday, the same day that Ali turns 65 years old.
This is most likely the first of many attempts to use Ali’s name to market products since Ali sold the rights to his name, image, and many other details for $50 Million last year.
The snacks, which include fruit crumbles, crunchy mixes and flavored crisps, are given boxing-related names such as Rumble, Shuffle and Jabs. The flavors include “Fruit Fight,” “Thrill-A-Dill-A” and “Slammin’ Salsa.” The snacks are shaped like boxing gloves, medicine balls, ropes, speed bags and body shields.
The snacks will go on sale this week at five colleges: Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Yale, and right here in my hometown of Philadelphia at Penn. The snacks could also be in as many as 20 more colleges by the beginning of next month along with a few new flavors.
Is there going to be any significant impact on boxing? Personally, I’m seeing nothing but positive things coming from this. The snacks are healthy of course - that’s only going to be a good thing in the minds of the health food population as well as athletes.
Plus I’m also hearing that Bill Clinton will be endorsing these snacks as well. Let’s just say they are going to be getting a lot of publicity and in turn, boxing may get some as well.