By Michael Ezra
Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay) has continually engendered an emotional response from the general public. From his visual appeal as an Olympic champion to his iconic prestige as a countrywide hero, his rigorously developed photograph and arguable personality has constantly been intensely scrutinized. In Muhammad Ali, Michael Ezra considers the boxer who calls himself “The Greatest” from a brand new standpoint. He writes approximately Ali’s pre-championship bouts, the administration of his occupation and his present legacy, exploring the promotional elements of Ali and the way they have been wrapped up in political, financial, and cultural “ownership.”
Ezra’s incisive learn examines the relationships among Ali’s cultural charm and its advertisement manifestations. mentioning examples of the boxer’s dating to the Vietnam battle and the country of Islam—which function barometers of his “public ethical authority”—Muhammad Ali analyzes the problems of constructing and retaining those cultural photos, in addition to the influence those issues have on Ali’s intending to the general public.
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Additional resources for Muhammad Ali: The Making of an Icon (Sporting)
Sample text
Although the Kefauver Commission had rocked mob control of the sport, organized crime’s grip still lingered, and many of boxing’s major players still had underworld ties. If Clay wanted to take the fast track to success, such an agreement might have been his best bet. Of course, it also potentially opened him up to the kind of scrutiny that nearly destroyed Liston’s career. Whatever Clay’s decision, he had to realize that there was a strong relationship between his choice of management, his cultural image, and his ability to make money.
Although Dundee’s willingness to get out of the way won praise from sportswriters, it further clouded his reputation as someone with mob connections. 34 Years later, Louisville Sponsoring Group attorney Gordon Davidson acknowledged that the group was concerned about its partnership with the Dundees, particularly Chris: I’m sure the Dundees, especially Chris, had some dubious acquaintances in those days, but when we went looking for a trainer we knew there was no one that was simon-pure. That was boxing in those days.
Cus D’A mato wanted Floyd Patterson to fight former champion Ingemar Johansson in the Magic City since he felt that having the match there would produce an excellent gate. However, because of D’A mato’s feud with the IBC, he refused to work with Chris Dundee. The problem was that Dundee had an exclusive contract to promote boxing shows at Convention Hall, the area’s only venue that would make such a bout financially worthwhile. With a stalemate brewing, Dundee agreed to step aside so that the city would not lose a match that would go on to gross over $3 million.