By Norm Frauenheim-

Legacy is for sale these days. Bottle it, slice it up into parcels, package it, label it with an acronym and sell, sell, sell it on caps and T-Shirts. Just dial 1-800-LEG-ENDS, and you can have one too.

It’s become a cliché, mouthed in locker rooms, gyms and studios so often as to become meaningless. But Muhammad Ali’s death re-defined it for what it really is. Legacy ain’t cheap.

In fact, it can’t be bought at all, at not least in the dollars that these days seem to serve as the final arbiter of what and who has value. Of what and who doesn’t.

It took Ali’s death on June 3 and an extraordinary funeral on June 10 in hometown Louisville to remind us of that. This is not meant to be another eulogy of who he was and what he means. How history looks at him will change and evolve from generation to generation.

In the here-and-now, however, Ali’s singular place as a heavyweight champion and a cultural icon serves as an example of what boxing has been, can still be, yet isn’t because of a business model gone awry.

The worldwide reaction to Ali’s passing is a sure sign that there is still a global fascination with boxing. I know, I know. Media and corporate elites uncomfortable with the sport’s inherent brutality say Ali was bigger than boxing. But he would have been just another gasbag if not for a ring that allowed him amplify his fearless nature.

Fifty years from now, I’m willing to bet he won’t be remembered for pictures alongside Malcolm X or of him being escorted out of a federal building in Houston after saying no to the Army’s draft at the height of the Viet Nam war. It’ll be that Neil Leifer photo of him posing over a fallen Sonny Liston.

That was Ali in a snapshot.

It sums up the fighter and personality who didn’t calculate his career and life in terms of the risk-to-reward ratio, an equation built to enhance the money while eliminating the chance of defeat.

He took the risk. Paid for it too, in a brutal 1975 victory over Joe Frazier in a second rematch and a 1974 victory over George Foreman in a fight famous for the rope-a-dope. Ali exhausted Foreman by absorbing punches that make you wonder whether one night’s tactic led to the Parkinson’s discovered a decade later.

Parkinson’s terrible symptoms were what subsequent generations of fighters would see and many would avoid.

At the same, time, the best of those generations would always strive to achieve what Ali had in his legacy-defining career. The unusual twist is that Ali never talked about legacy during his battles with Liston, Frazier and Foreman. Who did? It could have been a brand of cologne for all he or anybody else knew.

It became a part of every fighter’s vocabulary because of Floyd Mayweather, Jr., who has said he surpassed Ali. TBE – The Best Ever, Mayweather calls himself, mostly because he is unbeaten (49-0) and Ali wasn’t (56-5). The TBE acronym is on shirts and caps in every size. Just try one on. No legacy is too small or too big.

But this off-the-rack legacy cheapens what Ali did and, in turn, has turned off most of those in the global congregation that mourned his passing.

Mayweather’s real legacy is money. Nobody in any sport has ever earned as much. Maybe, TBE means The Biggest Earner, because that’s what Mayweather is and will be for awhile, if reports of his $240 million for a victory over Manny Pacquiao in May, 2015 are accurate.

In today’s dollars, Ali’s $6 million for his ‘75 victory over Frazier would be about $27 million. Very big money, but just a few more Bugatis in Mayweather’s garage.

Mayweather, a terrific boxer and a better businessman, turned Ali’s legacy into a calculation that enriched him, yet left the rest of the business scrambling in the wake of his victory over Pacquiao.

On-and-off negotiations for Mayweather-Pacquiao inflamed the public’s imagination for years. It’s no coincidence that the global appetite for boxing, dormant for so long, suddenly came alive in anticipation of a bout some thought would be the second coming of Ali-Frazier.

That didn’t happen. Not much of anything happened, other than the consequences. That’s no secret in an ongoing decline reflected in crashing PPV numbers – a reported 400,000 to 500,000 for Pacquiao’s rematch victory over Timothy Bradley in April and 450,000 to 600,000 for Canelo Alvarez’ knockout of Amir Khan in May.

That’s not a legacy anybody would want

In the weeks after Ali’s death, boxing starts over. It’s no coincidence that he will be mentioned often. That will begin June 25 for Keith Thurman-versus-Shawn-Porter in a CBS-televised welterweight bout at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

It will be the first time CBS has televised boxing in primetime since Leon Spinks upset Ali on Feb 2, 1978. Appropriately enough perhaps, it set the stage for another of Ali’s trademark comebacks – a decision over Spinks – the following September for his third heavyweight title.

“With the return of boxing to CBS Primetime, we’ve got big shoes to fill,’’ Stephen Espinoza of Showtime, a CBS subsidiary, said during a conference call this week. “It took something very special for CBS to step back in, and that’s exactly what we have.’’

Call it a moment, a chance, to remind a lost generation of fans that legacy is more than a T-shirt.

George Foreman on how his relationship with Ali evolved:

“It was the last of the ’70’s, I believe 1978, Muhammad Ali, I do not know how he got my number because he avoided me, he didn’t want to give me a title rematch. He called and complimented me for about 20 minutes then he said ‘George, would you do me a favor’, he knew I liked him, I said, ‘certainly.’ He said, ‘Please come back and beat Ken Norton and fight him for me. They are going to strip me of my title and I can’t beat him George you can. He’s afraid of you. I’ll let you use my training camp and everything but please come back and beat him for me.’

“That day forward we became the best of friends and we starting talking on the telephone. He’d call me, I would try to run him down wherever he be. We had these religious conversations. His children became good friends with my children. That is where the love affair began –right there at the end of the ’70’s.”

On losing to Muhammad Ali in 1974 – “The Rumble in the Jungle” and did Foreman beat the count?:

“The count was short. My trainer told me to get up. When I got up the fight was over. I thought I beaten the count myself but everybody jumped into the ring I said, ‘It must be over’ and I had no questions about that. And you know for good reasons I am glad I didn’t beat the count because he surely would have put it on me then.”

THE FIGHT GAME WITH JIM LAMPLEY: A TRIBUTE TO MUHAMMAD ALI, an HBO Sports presentation exploring his impact on sports, culture and politics, debuts TUESDAY, JUNE 14 (11:00-11:50 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. The special will be hosted by the four-time Sports Emmy® winner, who has hosted HBO Boxing since joining the network in 1988.

Other HBO playdates: June 16 (4:15 p.m., 1:45 a.m.), 18 (5:15 a.m.), 19 (12:15 p.m.), 21 (11:30 a.m., 11:00 p.m.), 23 (12:30 p.m., 12:30 a.m.) and 27 (5:15 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: June 15 (11:45 a.m., 8:00 p.m.), 18 (11:00 a.m.) and 22 (3:30 p.m.)

The show will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO and HBO On Demand.

The guest list for the special includes Hollywood icon Jack Nicholson, Muhammad Ali’s longtime friend; former heavyweight champion George Foreman, who fought Ali in 1974; and rapper/ film star LL Cool J. Also participating in multiple discussion panels will be social activist Harry Edwards; 1968 Olympic medalist Tommie Smith, who was stripped by the IOC for taking a stand at the medal ceremony; New Yorker journalist Kelefa Sanneh; boxer and HBO commentator Roy Jones Jr; HBO broadcaster Max Kellerman; and former HBO Sports commentator Larry Merchant, who covered Ali through his entire professional career.

SHOWTIME Sports® presents “KINGS OF THE RING: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing” featuring legendary heavyweight champions Muhammad Ali, Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis. The captivating film-length documentary written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Bud Greenspan, is airing on SHOWTIME tonight, Friday, June 10 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

“KINGS OF THE RING” explores the lives of four of the greatest heavyweight champions of the 20th century, who made an impact in history in and out of the ring, advocating for political issues and civil rights. The athletes not only pushed the boundaries by becoming champions, but they also achieved greatness while changing the world in the process.

An encore presentation of “KINGS OF THE RING: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing” will replay on SHOWTIME EXTREME on Saturday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. ET/PT. It will also be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND beginning June 15.

SHOWTIME Sports® presents “KINGS OF THE RING: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing” featuring legendary heavyweight champions Muhammad Ali, Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis. The captivating film-length documentary written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Bud Greenspan, is airing on SHOWTIME tonight, Friday, June 10 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

“KINGS OF THE RING” explores the lives of four of the greatest heavyweight champions of the 20th century, who made an impact in history in and out of the ring, advocating for political issues and civil rights. The athletes not only pushed the boundaries by becoming champions, but they also achieved greatness while changing the world in the process.

An encore presentation of “KINGS OF THE RING: Four Legends of Heavyweight Boxing” will replay on SHOWTIME EXTREME on Saturday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. ET/PT. It will also be available on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND beginning June 15.

By Norm Frauenheim–

Muhammad Ali’s journey, 74 years long, ends Friday where it started. The world that worshipped him will gather in the city where he was born. Heads of state, old rivals, actors, rappers, preachers, priests, promoters, poets and punchers are in Louisville for the Funeral of the Century.

Ali, who lost to Joe Frazier in the Fight of the Century 45 years ago, planned it. He’d give the eulogy if he could, but not even The Greatest could manage that. He’ll have to let former President Bill Clinton speak for him. He’ll have to let the crowd cry, cheer and chant his name.

Ali Bomaye! Ali Bomaye!

That was the African chant before, during and after his 1974 stoppage of George Foreman in what was then Zaire. Listen for that and for the butterfly, the bee and everything else on the sound track that helped define the young Ali, who once said he was so mean he’d make medicine sick.

He’ll be remembered for all the crazy words. For Foreman, Frazier and Sonny Liston, too. For Malcolm X. For refusing to serve in the U.S. Army because of his opposition to the Viet Nam War. For changing his own name, too. Born Jan 17, 1942 as Cassius Marcellus Clay in Louisville, he returns to the Kentucky city with the Muslim name that will never be forgotten.

He might not have been history’s greatest fighter, a spot that belongs to Sugar Ray Robinson. He might not even have been the greatest heavyweight. Joe Louis probably hit a little harder and didn’t let his hands drop in a way that left Ali perilously open, leaving only his durable chin as a defense.

Only Ali would take punches from the powerful Foreman and label the tactic as rope-a-dope. It was risky and unexpected. But Ali did it, exhausting Foreman in a bout that makes you wonder whether it was factor in the terrible disease that would befall him a decade later. Ali couldn’t exhaust Parkinson’s, but he fought it – day-to-day, hour-to-hour – with quiet dignity for 32 years before he died in Scottsdale, Ariz., last Friday at 9:10 p.m. (PST).

I’m not sure how I’ll remember him. As an Army beat living in faraway bases, I had my ear pressed against my dad’s radio to hear what ever I could above the static of the blow-by blow accounts of his victories over Liston.

As a young sportswriter in Florida, I watched the back-and-white telecasts of his 1971 loss to Frazier at a closed circuit venue. I went to a crowded movie theater to see him beat Frazier in their first rematch. Then, I saw him beat Foreman and Frazier again in Manila, all in grainy-and-gritty black-and-white.

It wasn’t long before I moved to Phoenix. My interest in boxing was still there and had peaked with eventual Hall of Famer Michael Carbajal, whom I began to cover at the 1988 Olympics.

Then one day in 2005, I looked up and saw Ali standing in front of me at halftime of a Phoenix Suns game. We shook hands, yet said very little. I wasn’t sure whether Parkinson’s had yet robbed Ali of his speech. I soon found out that it had not. He grabbed me from behind and whispered in my ear.

“You sure are uglyyyyyy,’’ he said.

Surprised, I turned and looked into dancing eyes full of playful mischief. On other encounters, there were the familiar magic tricks.

Then, there was an afternoon in downtown Phoenix about eight years ago. I sat next to him at a Diamondbacks game. He grabbed my notebook and pen. Fifteen minutes later, he gave them back.

On a page in the notebook, there’s a sketch, a stick figure walking toward a leafless tree that seems to be on the edge of a faraway canyon. I wasn’t sure what to think of it then. But I looked at it again this week while thinking of Ali’s death and his funeral Friday. Ali was looking at the uncertainty of the end he knew was coming.

He did the only thing he could do. He got ready.

After the devastating news of Muhammad Ali’s passing last weekend, David Haye continues to campaign for ‘The Greatest’ to be granted an Honorary Knighthood

Former Two-Weight World Champion David Haye launched a campaign in February for his icon, Ali, to be granted an Honorary Knighthood.

Haye said, “This week we lost a Legend, a true Global Icon – phrases I don’t use lightly. Muhammad Ali transcended the world of boxing, inspiring so many, including me, to believe ‘Impossible is Nothing’.

Like millions of others around the world, Muhammad Ali is a hero of mine and inspiring me to box. Added to this his humanitarian work over many years which had a huge impact across the world, I couldn’t think of a more fitting person to be granted an Honorary Knighthood. The current laws do not allow for a posthumous Knighthood, but Ali throughout his career challenged what was deemed possible so it’s quite fitting that current rules should be reviewed for ‘The Greatest of all time’”

The campaign which launched in February received support from Boris Johnson, Bob Geldof, comedian John Bishop and Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan as well as sports personalities including; Denise Lewis, Colin Jackson, Anthony Joshua, Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn. Downing Street officially acknowledge the campaign and (insert additional info Thursday morning)

He continued, ‘Although Muhammad was not well enough to travel to the UK as planned in earlier this year, I met with his wife Lonnie who said what an honour the award, from a country he so loved, would mean to him. With such huge public demand and support from his family I truly hope we can make this happen,’

There have been recent calls to review the process of awarding Knighthoods with one to be granted posthumously to football legend Bobby Moore which would require secondary legislation and also the removal of the late Jimmy Saville’s.

Honorary Knighthoods are to recognise non-British citizens who have made major contributions to this country and its well-being and currently there is no non-British option currently being considered.

Haye added, “I believe Muhammed Ali is the perfect recipient, whilst it is a huge shame this did not happen when he was alive to award it posthumously in honour of the incredible legacy he leaves would be perfectly fitting”

Please sign up to petition to award Muhammad Ali with an Honorary Knighthood in the UK: http://bit.ly/SupportSirAli

LONDON (8 JUNE) Unbeaten heavyweight star Hughie Lewis Fury believes a potential rumble with IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua would bear a striking similarity to the night Muhammad Ali bemused and broke George Foreman in Zaire in 1974.

Twenty-one-year-old Fury, set for a tune-up bout on July 9 in Manchester, is currently recovering from illness, but, once back to full fitness, has his sights set on returning Joshua’s IBF title to the Fury family.

“I think when Joshua steps up to a higher level he’ll come undone,” says Hughie. “Joshua knows he can hit, he knows he’s one-dimensional and his team know all he needs is a stationary target, guys who can’t move. That’s why he looks good. That’s why he gets his knockouts. But put him in there with anybody who knows how to jab, move and actually box and I think he’ll look clueless very, very quickly.

“Let’s go back to the time when Muhammad Ali fought George Foreman. Everyone said Foreman was going to destroy Ali. They didn’t give Ali a chance. But look what movement did to power that night. After a few rounds, Ali took control and made Foreman look clueless. You can’t hit what you can’t see.

“I’m not saying I’m Ali, and I’m not saying Joshua is Foreman, but I think the same thing would happen to Joshua if he fought me. He’d be left hitting thin air and would get frustrated and exhausted.”

Though Fury, 20-0 (10 KOs), is happy to grab any of the available heavyweight titles, when he’s good and ready, he seems particularly irked by the way Joshua claimed his current belt.

“Joshua’s got very good management and he’s on a good rise,” says Hughie. “But I don’t class him as a world champion. He hasn’t fought anyone. He was gifted a belt. He didn’t win it. Tyson (Fury, cousin) had the belt taken off him and then Charles Martin won it because some guy (Vyacheslav Glazkov) got injured. The whole situation was a disgrace. It seems like anybody can get a belt these days.

“Charles Martin came over here, as a so-called world champion, took a shot, sat down and was smiling as he was counted out. That’s no world champion. Even if you’re no good, you at least put up a fight and give it a go. Put your heart and soul into it. At least then you have a bit of respect for the guy. But for him to go out the way he did was pathetic.”

The passing of Muhammad Ali on Friday night in Scottsdale, Arizona served as yet another reminder that they don’t make them quite like they used to. And Fury, a fan of Ali since he was a child, admits most of what he knows was taught to him by the The Greatest.

“He was an inspiration to us all,” he says. “I’ve always looked up to and admired Ali, especially in his fight with Foreman. That has always been one of my favourite fights to watch.

“That’s my style; movement and speed kills power. You don’t need to be the biggest puncher in the world. Even Muhammad Ali said that. You need to be clever and you need to be fast. I know I’m not a huge puncher, but I’m quicker and have more ring intelligence than these other heavyweights. It’s what is going to get me to the top.”

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LONDON (7 JUNE) By Peter Fury: We, like everyone else, got news of Muhammad Ali’s passing on Saturday morning. It hit us hard. The man was a living legend.

It’s always sad to lose a great champion and they don’t come much greater than Muhammad Ali. It was a sad day for everybody in boxing and everybody in the world.

As a little lad growing up, we always used to watch Ali on the TV or listen to his fights on the radio. He was a big part of our lives and a great ambassador for the sport; us young kids definitely looked up to him.

Tyson and Hughie also looked up to him the way we did. He was a gift passed down the generations. It didn’t matter whether you watched him during his prime or not. He was the kind of fighter who will never be forgotten. A great fighter and an even greater human being.

His win against George Foreman was absolutely amazing because the whole world were convinced he was going to get annihilated. The Joe Frazier fights also stick in my mind whenever I think of Ali. They showed the toughness of the man. He beat Frazier at his own game in the final fight, which is rightly considered one of the greatest fights of all-time.

His passing has reminded us all of what a tremendous champion he was and what a tremendous era he conquered. After all, that seventies heavyweight era is about as good as it gets.

Boxing is all about having different characters and getting these characters to establish rivalries. Back then, Ali had Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Sonny Liston, Ken Norton and Larry Holmes. They were all around at roughly the same time and it made Ali even greater because you are ultimately judged against your competition. He was up against some of the greatest heavyweights to ever set foot in a ring and, more often than not, he got the better of them.

Every generation has its own superstars. In the nineties we had Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis, and then, following that, we had the reign of the Klitschko brothers. Well, now, thanks to his win against Wladimir Klitschko in November, we’ve got a new era started by Tyson Fury. He has freshened things up and given the division a new look and a new feel. He has given it a new lease of life.

But his work is far from over.

I know he talks about retirement and leaving the sport early, but I’m pretty certain you’re going to see Tyson Fury around for a very long time.

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By Bart Barry-

Muhammad Ali died Friday evening at the age of 74. His death was long anticipated by those who follow our sport and know the ruinous effect it visits on each of its professional practitioners. Round the world Saturday persons instantly and for the most part sincerely began to mourn a man most had not thought about in decades, reliably imparting how much larger Ali was than his and our sport.

The happiest benefit of writing for a site like this, a boutique affair designed for aficionados, is the relief that washes over a writer when he remembers on days like these he does not need to put the accomplishments of a prizefighter in the larger context of others’ fantasies. If he doesn’t have a champion’s record memorized, quite, he has access to memories enough to write confidently about the only interest a reader should bring to a site like this. It isn’t liberating in the wildeyed gamboling-through-a-daisy-patch way we lately understand the word but it’s sufficiently liberating to make an exercise futile as this one doable.

This won’t be a piece that cherrypicks anecdotes showing how well the deceased represented my specific and fairly narrow worldviews, a selfhelp epic stiffened by another man’s violence, and it won’t be an exhaustive and autobiographical drumroll either; my earliest recollection of Ali was his being a sad foil to Larry Holmes, and therefore no amount of YouTube immersion makes Ali’s effect on me deep or enduring as those taken by champions of my youth and adolescence like Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Mike Tyson.

If you’re here for a definitive obituary you’re going to be disappointed. What follows is better read as an honest attempt at an obligatory act.

It begins with violence. In the press to canonize Ali his impulse to violence has been scoured till bleached. He danced and floated with a gorgeous face and an enchanting physique and golden glow because he was a pacifistic poet who would shape a generation and show a worldful of people their better selves. No, not really, but the cardboard saint must be propped high – the better to reflect us for us.

Doubt not the importance of Ali’s reflective surface on the legacy so many now celebrate. As Parkinson’s (disease, syndrome, etc.) made a marble facade of his once-expressive and often-offensive countenance Ali’s capacity for challenging others’ ideals to a point of repugnance and rage congealed to a face tailored for beloving. Ali went along with it because he did love others’ adoration and because he also loved money and because, ultimately, how much choice did he have as he watched in amusement an entire country following a pattern of attraction seen in bars round the world every night: Repulsion to curiosity to fixation?

Ali was an original who inadvertently provided future marketing masterminds a template they ably applied to Tiger Woods then Barack Obama, neither of whom was possible before Muhammad Ali.

Back to violence. Look closely at how Ali set his mouth when he threw righthands – hurting punches thrown with every intention of bringing pain or unconsciousness or both to the men across from him. Don’t dismiss this as an anomaly either; Ali had athleticism and charisma enough to make his living quite a few ways other than hurting others but he hurt others for a living because he was great at it in a way we rightly call historic. That is an aesthetic judgment, not a moral one; it is a reminder Ali’s ascent from Olympic gold medalist to heavyweight champion of the world relied necessarily on his conversion from an athlete who boxed for points to a fighter who hurt other men, and he didn’t do it reluctantly.

Look at his mouth when he threw right hands and look at his eyes when he took other men’s consciousness. Ali was all fighter. Since that is not palatable to many target demographics today we are told how much larger than his profession Ali was by people who for the most part do not understand Ali’s profession and wish to assert the greatness of their times by making the greatest of their times relatable to absolutely everyone.

This collision happened a lot in the obituaries that happened in the hours after Ali’s death, obituaries many sportswriters began composing a decade ago. What to say about a great man when one’s peers in radio and television use the word “great” to describe a hundred things weekly? Ultimately, if you have any craft at all you revert to understatement and hope for the best, as many of our craft’s best craftsmen did. Otherwise you convict language itself of inadequacy then use a sprinkler-system approach, dashing from accomplishment to accomplishment in the hopes some rule of sheer yardage will capture the totality of the man.

Inspiration is ephemeral but sexy to claim from another. Of those millions who today claim Ali as the source of their inspiration, it is proper to ask: Inspiration to do what?

Social media answers the question in most cases: Try to become famous.

Those claiming to be inspired by Ali to do other things are persistently unreliable with one exception: Fighters. There’s some mention of Ali in every boxing gym across the land (at our gym, curiously, there’s a black-on-gold mural of Ali with a quote attributed to him that goes: “Champions are not made in the gym”) and Ali surely inspired a large number of fighters in the generation following his to don gloves and dance, hands lowered, looking pretty. And most every one of those guys got his clock cleaned in month one and retired instantly thereafter.

To the cultural critics goes the task of naming, numbering and coloring-in every way the man was larger than his profession. To aficionados it need go no further than this: Muhammad Ali was the very best fighter in his division’s very best era.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Statement on the pass of Muhammad Ali:
Muhammad Ali was The Greatest of all time. Perhaps the greatest in any sport. The outpouring of emotion currently taking place around the world is a testament to his impact beyond boxing and beyond sports.

On behalf of everyone at Showtime Networks, and our extended boxing family, we offer our condolences to the Ali family and to the millions of people the world over that were inspired by his grace, poise and prowess in life.
– Showtime Networks Inc

Today the whole world mourns the loss of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. His boxing talent was matched only by a towering self-belief. Everyone at Queensberry Promotions are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of The Greatest.

The former Heavyweight Champion was just 42 years old when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984. For three decades, Ali waged public battle against Parkinson’s – making brave appearances and carrying out endless charity work.

In his fight against Parkinson’s, Ali became the face of the debilitating disease. His toughest battle came outside the ring against an opponent that even he couldn’t knock out.

In light of today’s tragic loss Queensberry Promotions will be releasing a limited number of seats for tonight’s World Championship Boxing Event held at the Liverpool Echo Arena. Each seat will be sold on a first come first served basis (entrance before 8PM) and will be priced at just £5 with all of the money raised from these tickets sales being donated to the Parkinson’s UK charity in memory of Ali.

Before tonight’s World Championship Boxing event, headlined by Liam Smith and Predrag Radosevic, boxing will give it’s traditional ten bells salute in remembrance of the great Ali.

Parkinson’s UK drives better care, treatments and quality of life for those suffering with the disease and their family members. As well as providing care for those suffering with the disease, Parkinson’s UK provides expert information on every aspect of Parkinson’s so that people affected by the condition can stay in control of their lives.

To find out more about Parkinson’s UK and the work they do visit www.parkinsons.org.uk or call their confidential helpline on 0808 800 0303.

“It is extremely sad to witness the passing of boxing’s greatest fighter and icon Muhammad Ali. I would like to send my deepest condolences and thoughts to his family at this time. No fighter or sportsman will ever reach the level of Muhammad Ali, whose name will continue to echo through the ages. Inspiring, charismatic, a true legend – Ali will never be forgotten. Having the chance to meet the great man will be a memory and privilege I will always hold dear to me – an incredible human being, fighter and role model. Thank you Muhammad for inspiring us all.”

“We join the rest of the world in mourning the passing of Muhammad Ali and celebrating the legacy of this unique man in unifying us through his acts and gifts.

“Ali’s charisma, grace, and genius transcended all races, religions, nationalities, and generations. His spirit will inspire people forever.

“HBO is honored to have known Muhammad Ali as a fighter of beauty and a man of principle. We experienced the joy of working with him in support of initiatives he passionately cared about including, most importantly, his never-ending desire to teach tolerance and understanding of others to all people.

“Muhammad Ali was an icon and hero, father and friend, and beacon of hope for oppressed people throughout the world. He will be missed by all of those whose lives he touched. There are not enough bells to toll this loss.”

LOS ANGELES (June 3, 2016) – Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya has issued the following statement with regard to the passing of “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali:

“It is with great sadness today that we mourn the loss of the Greatest of All Time – Muhammad Ali. I send my deepest condolences to his family, and pray for strength and peace for them during this difficult time.

“Muhammad Ali is a legend and one of the world’s most celebrated athletes, the fighter who ushered in the golden era of boxing and put the sport on the map. He paved the way for professional fighters, including myself, elevating boxing to become a sport watched in millions of households around the world.

“Ali’s talent was undeniable – he was an Olympic Gold Medalist, three-time lineal world heavyweight champion, and the only one to accomplish that to this day, and reached the pinnacle of our sport as the undisputed heavyweight champion in 1964.

“Beyond his incredible talent, he also made boxing interesting. Ali was fearless in the ring, and took on the toughest, most challenging opponents. Ali exemplified courage—he never took the easy route, something to be admired in and outside of the ring.

“As he grew older, he didn’t let his physical condition become an excuse to stop working; he continued to work hard, focusing on giving back to the community. Today, as we reflect on his life, let us remember a man who pursued greatness in everything he did and be inspired to hold ourselves to that same standard. Rest in peace, my friend.”

# # #

Muhammad Ali is in the hospital battling a respiratory illness, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“He is being treated by his team of doctors and is in fair condition,” said family spokesman Bob Gunnell said in a statement datelined from Phoenix, where Ali lives. “A brief hospital stay is expected. At this time, the Muhammad Ali family respectfully requests privacy.”

By Norm Frauenheim

Six days after George Foreman’s birthday, four days after Joe Frazier’s birthday and the day before Muhammad Ali’s birthday, the heavyweight division will attempt another rebirth Saturday in Brooklyn with Deontay Wilder in a title defense on a Showtime-televised card that includes a bout for a vacant version of another acronym-sanctioned championship.

Birthdays or astrology or coincidence might suggest that January is a promising time for the heavyweights. But the only chart that matters is the ongoing one that says the division has been receding faster than a glacier.

It hasn’t exactly vanished. Wilder (35-0, 34 KOs), who defends his WBC title against mostly-unknown Spzilka (20-1, 15 KOs), shows promise with great athleticism and intriguing power. There are moments when he looks like a big version of Thomas Hearns.

He figures to beat Spizlka, an unknown Pole who has even less experience than he does. Spizlka decided to take up boxing on the urge of a promoter who saw him in soccer brawl outside of a Polish nightclub in 2008.

Nevertheless, Wilder’s relative inexperience leaves skepticism, impossible to dismiss. Despite an Olympic bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, he’s a newcomer. The 30-year-old Wilder didn’t start boxing until he was 20.

It makes you wonder how he would do against Russian Alexander Povetkin (a 2004 gold medalist at the Athens Olympics) or Luis Ortiz, who learned his way around the ring in Cuba’s amateur system. Povetkin and Ortiz were schooled in the game’s subtleties at an age when skill becomes instinct.

The unbeaten Wilder likes to say that potential rivals have to enter “the athletic department.’’ Fair enough. He’s stronger and more agile than most. But instinct is critical, especially in the face of heavyweight power that can stop a fight within fractions of a single second. It’s there when a big shot short-circuits the ability to think. We’ve yet to see whether Wilder can react in that brief, yet critical moment of adversity.

Yet, Wilder still appears to be the one heavyweight who can restore attention on the division in an era about to unfold – ready or not — in the wake of Tyson Fury’s November upset of Wladimir Klitschko.

Klitschko’s heavyweight reign, almost a decade long, was a run of reliability. Predictability, too. But it eliminated a critical element. There were no rivalries. There was only Klitschko.

Rivalry creates interest. Draws an audience, too. That’s the great lesson of Ali, Frazier and Foreman, each also an Olympic gold medalist. Ali turns 74 on Sunday. Foreman was 67 on Jan. 10. The late Frazier would have been 72 on Jan. 12. Their birthdays are worth celebrating. They represent chapters in a time still unequaled.

Ali-Frazier became a historical reference point for every rivalry in and out of sports since their trilogy (1971, 1974 and 1975). Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were the NBA’s Ali-Frazier. The Yankees and Red Sox were baseball’s Ali-Frazier. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were tennis’ Ali-Frazier.

By its very nature, rivalries come easy in boxing. It’s the one-on-one drama, which in part was re-created by Magic and Bird. During the Ali era, there was more than one, mostly because of his charisma, salesmanship, brinkmanship and mouth. The Floyd Mayweather model rules today’s business. To wit: The most money for the smallest risk.

It enriched Mayweather, yet left longtime fans and new customers frustrated. The public demand got whipped up into a lotto-like froth for Mayweather-Pacquiao. But Mayweather’s fight was a dud. The rivalry, past its prime, was a figment of social media’s imagination.

But Ali’s rivalries were real because of his willingness to take repeated risks. During the last couple of decades, film and song have memorialized Ali’s 1974 victory over Foreman in Zaire. Over time, that one fight has gained as much historical significance as Ali-Frazier.

Can it ever happen again? Doubtful. But mid-January is as good a time to try as any.

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (July 31, 2015) — Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson became the latest mega-star to announce that he will attend the third annual Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s induction gala, which will take place in eight days, Next Saturday! August 8, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Tyson, a member of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 2013, will present “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali, for induction.

Tyson joins legends Floyd Mayweather Jr., Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Lennox Lewis, Felix “Tito” Trinidad, Marco Antonio Barrera, Roger Mayweather and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad who will attend the popular charity event.

Remaining Tickets for the August 8 induction ceremony are $300, $175 and $75 and are fully tax deductible as the NVBHOF is an IRS 501 (c)3 charity. They can be purchased online at the Hall’s website, nvbhof.com.

A member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, as well, Tyson was the biggest star of his era. He was 50-6 with 44 knockouts and is renowned as one of the most feared fighters ever.

He is the youngest man ever to win the heavyweight title and had two stints as heavyweight champion.

He attended the second annual event in 2014 to present his long-time rival, Evander Holyfield, for induction.

“We are thrilled to have Mike join us for the third consecutive year,” said Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame president/CEO Rich Marotta. “It’s a big treat for all of the boxing fans who plan to attend the induction gala. Mike’s addition just continues the dizzying array of stars who plan to attend in person to show support for our event.”

The Hall was founded in 2013 by Marotta, a noted boxing broadcaster. Its chief operating officer is Michelle Corrales-Lewis, whose late husband, Diego Corrales, was an inaugural inductee into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

Recognized as sports television’s best storyteller and the leading TV platform for boxing in the U.S., HBO Sports presents four of its acclaimed boxing documentaries and an Emmy®-nominated HBO Films drama on consecutive Tuesday evenings this summer on HBO2. Featuring HBO Sports’ trademark blend of unseen archival footage, home movies, revealing interviews and unique storytelling, the festival launches July 7 with the powerful ALI-FRAZIER I: ONE NATION… DIVISIBLE, a Peabody Award winner, and concludes Aug. 4 with MUHAMMAD ALI’S GREATEST FIGHT.
Films include:

ALI-FRAZIER I: ONE NATION… DIVISIBLE (July 7, 5:00 p.m. ET/PT) chronicles the remarkable events and personalities surrounding the fight that defined the cultural divide of the United States in the ‘60s and early ‘70s. In what many boxing observers considered “The Fight of the Century,” the two undefeated heavyweights met at New York’s Madison Square Garden for a contest that was much more than a title bout. The documentary received a George Foster Peabody Award in 2001.

LEGENDARY NIGHTS: THE TALE OF GATTI-WARD (July 14, 5:30 p.m.) is a fresh look at one of boxing’s greatest rivalries, the three-fight slugfest between Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward, which aired on HBO. Mark Wahlberg, who played Micky Ward on the big screen, narrates the 2013 presentation.

TAPIA (July 21, 6:30 p.m.) uses first-person narration and archival footage to explore the achievements, personal demons and ultimate redemption of former five-time world champion Johnny Tapia, who died in 2012 at age 45. Narrated by Liev Schreiber, the 2014 film takes an intimate look at Tapia’s life from an impoverished upbringing in New Mexico to the height of ring glory.

JOE LOUIS: AMERICA’S HERO… BETRAYED (July 28, 4:45 p.m.) tells the story of the legendary boxer and his tremendous impact on segregated America. The 2008 documentary reveals how the grandson of slaves became one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, served as an iconic figure in World War II and endured numerous setbacks with dignity and class.

MUHAMMAD ALI’S GREATEST FIGHT (Aug. 4, 6:15 p.m.) looks at the former heavyweight champion’s historic battle with the United States’ Supreme Court after refusing to be drafted for the Vietnam War at the height of his career. Starring Christopher Plummer, Frank Langella and Benjamin Walker, the 2013 HBO Films drama was nominated for two Emmys®, including Outstanding Television Movie and Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special (Stephen Frears).

Following its Tuesday night presentation on HBO2, each film will also be available on HBO On Demand®.

LOS ANGELES (May 6): Golden Boy Promotions today filed a $300 million lawsuit against Al Haymon and his related companies and Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. and its related hedge funds, alleging their repeated violation of the antitrust laws and the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act. The case was filed in Federal Court in Los Angeles.

Since the moment Al Haymon launched Premier Boxing Champions, he has repeatedly and brazenly broken the letter and spirit of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act that is meant to protect fighters from exploitation. As part of an anti-competitive conspiracy that includes financial backers from Waddell & Reed, Haymon has “entered into agreements to restrain trade in a substantial portion of the market for promotion of Championship-Caliber Boxers,” the bombshell new lawsuit claims.

“During my 25 years in boxing, I have watched far too many fighters be chewed up, spit out and left with nothing to sit idly by while Mr. Haymon flaunts a federal law meant to protect those who put everything on the line to entertain fans of our sport,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Founder and President of Golden Boy Promotions. “The Muhammad Ali Act was passed to help fighters avoid the fate that bedeviled so many of our predecessors; and I will do everything in my power to ensure this crucial piece of legislation is upheld and followed.”

The lawsuit alleges numerous violations of the Ali Act and antitrust statutes by Haymon, among the most glaring of which is that he routinely serves as both manager of his fighters and promoter of their fights, even though such a dual role is explicitly prohibited by the Ali Act in order to “protect boxers, the boxing industry, and the public from abusive, exploitive, and anticompetitive behavior.”

According to the lawsuit: “By ignoring the ‘firewall’ established by the Ali Act, the Haymon Defendants are essentially sitting on both sides of the bargaining table. While purporting to act in their clients’ best interests, the Haymon Defendants have obtained direct and indirect financial interests in promoting their boxers – thereby creating the very conflict of interest the Ali Act sought to remedy.”

Haymon calls himself a “manager” or an “advisor,” yet Haymon and his myriad of companies are well known to arrange and contract for the bouts, the arenas, the sponsors and the television time – all duties of a boxing promoter. Even Haymon-managed fighters themselves repeatedly refer to Haymon as their “promoter,” though he is well-known to manage more than 100 fighters.

Haymon is, not only pushing out other legitimate promoters in favor of ineffective puppets that he controls, but locking out top fighters who dare to not join his stable of boxers.

“At the age of 50 and after spending most of my adult life in boxing, I thought I’d seen every trick in the book aimed at undermining those who actually step into the ring,” said former middleweight and light heavyweight world champion Bernard Hopkins. “Having personally been refused a lucrative fight with a Haymon-managed fighter, I have felt first-hand the impact of Haymon’s attempt to form a monopoly. These practices are detrimental to boxers, fans and the sport as a whole,” added Hopkins, a co-owner of Golden Boy Promotions.

The complaint alleges that Waddell & Reed and related companies aided and abetted Haymon in his commission of the claimed violations of law.

The Golden Boy Suit comes days after the Association of Boxing Commissions called on newly confirmed U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to investigate Haymon for many of the same infractions spelled out in today’s lawsuit.

As part of the lawsuit, Golden Boy is seeking damages of $300 million.

A copy of the lawsuit is available upon request.

Details of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act can be found at: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/106/hr1832

By Norm Frauenheim

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been more CEO than TBE from the moment he took the initiative and approached Manny Pacquiao at a Miami Heat game in the move that led to the deal for their May 2 fight at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

He’s effective in the CEO role. Likable, too. His exchanges with the media are crisp, forthright and polite. The understated manner is a hint at the calculated, precise tactician he will be at opening bell for what is sure to be the richest fight ever.

He has repeatedly referred to the long-awaited showdown with Pacquiao as just another fight. A job, he calls it.

“I know it’s the biggest fight in boxing history, but I can’t approach it like that,” Mayweather said Wednesday during a conference call. “I’m never going to put any unnecessary pressure on myself.’’

Cool, that makes sense.

Simplicity is an art necessary to any successful battle plan. But here’s the question: Why TBE? Why now?

Mayweather has called himself The Best Ever for a long time, but the claim has been restricted to the TBE acronym seen so often on caps and T-shirts. But now he has decided to re-exert his claim on being history’s best, first in an interview with ESPN’s Stephen A Smith and again Wednesday in a call with reporters from across world.

His comments Wednesday weren’t quite as strong as they were to ESPN. He told Smith he was better than Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson, who is No. 1 in most all-time pound-for-pound ratings. On Wednesday he was asked only about Ali and he talked only about Ali.

“He called himself The Greatest and I call myself TBE,” Mayweather said. “I’m pretty sure I’ll get criticized for what I said, but I could care less. I could care less about the backlash.”

The mystery is why Mayweather would invite the inevitable backlash within a couple of weeks of a fight that, more than any other, will define his place alongside Ali, Robinson and those he didn’t mention. With apologies to all of the legends not mentioned, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Joe Louis and Julio Cesar Chavez belong in the argument, too.

History didn’t have to be part of the job description, at least not in the way the CEO in Mayweather defined it. But the TBE in him put it there without apology. It also put him at risk of the unnecessary pressure he seeks to avoid.

Perhaps, Mayweather will prove he is as good at making history as he is at making money. Maybe, he knocks out Pacquiao. Maybe, he gets up from a knockdown to score a dramatic victory. Maybe, maybe. But maybe it goes the other way. Maybe, TBE will come to mean Pacquiao.

Most of the pressure is already on Mayweather. He’ll get 60 percent of record-setting revenue, which for him figures to be anywhere from $80 million to a $180 million. He’s also undefeated, which over the years has generated a lot of amateur psychoanalysis. The 0 in that 47-0 record has become a symbol of what motivates Mayweather. The theory is that he protects it at all costs. It’s become his identity.

A loss, former heavyweight champ George Foreman said Thursday in a conference call, “could devastate him as a boxer — not as a man, but as a boxer. He might have to go out in the country somewhere if he lost.’’

Foreman suffered his first loss to Ali in Zaire. He was 40-0 before Ali beat him in The Rumble In The Jungle in 1974. It was a loss that altered the way Foreman looked at himself. It was 15 months before he could step through the ropes again.

“I’m the one guy who knows what it’s like to be undefeated going into a fight like that and to be knocked off that pedestal,” said Foreman, who will appear Saturday night in HBO’s “Mayweather/Pacquiao: The Legends Speak.’’

Ali had already endured defeat. He understood it. Learned from it. Came back from it. In a sport defined by adversity, defeat can forge newfound strength. At 57-5, Pacquiao has experienced it. Mayweather has not.

“Pacquiao has it a little better,’’ said Foreman, who picks the Filipino to win a narrow decision. “He is already picked as the underdog. There’s not a whole lot of pressure on him.

“But when you have never lost before in a fight of this magnitude, there’s so much pressure on you, more pressure than you have ever had before, more pressure than on any other athlete right now.’’

Too much pressure? The CEO says no. But TBE? Proof of Mayweather’s bold claim is still waiting To Be Evaluated on May 2.

Despite reports to the contrary, legendary Muhammad Ali has yet to make a pick for the mega showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“It was reported that Muhammad Ali picked a favorite in the upcoming Mayweather-Pacquiao fight on May 2. Muhammad Ali would like to wish both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao well in their upcoming fight,” Ali family spokesman Bob Gunnell said in a statement given to ESPN.com on Thursday.

“Muhammad never offered to anyone his prediction, and information that was published earlier this week and picked up by other media is either a misquote or someone else’s personal opinion. The stories saying that Muhammad Ali has chosen a favorite in the fight are false.”

Earlier this week, TMZ quoted Rasheda Ali, one of the heavyweight great’s daughters, as saying, “My dad is Team Pacquiao all the way!”

“Muhammad has the utmost respect for both fighters, who will undoubtedly give boxing fans an incredible match,” Gunnell said. “He believes the significance of this fight will rival other historic matches. Muhammad Ali will join the rest of the world on May 2 to watch this matchup.”

LAS VEGAS, NV (February 19, 2015) — Legendary boxers Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson headline the 21-person 2015 Class of Inductees into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. It is a star-studded cast which includes many of the finest boxers in the sport’s history.

Rich Marotta, the Hall’s founder and chief executive officer, made the announcement Thursday during a news conference at the Roy Jones Jr. Fight Academy in Las Vegas.

Honorees for the third class of Hall of Famers were chosen in four categories: Nevada resident boxers; Non-Nevada resident boxers; Pioneers; and non-boxer participants.

Among the honorees are 11 men who have previously been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame induction dinner and ceremony will be held in Las Vegas in August at a site to be announced soon. Additional fan events will be held prior to and after the induction ceremony.

“We are very excited about our 2015 Class of Inductees,” Marotta said. “They are among the most glamorous and significant names in boxing history, and all have unmistakable connections to Nevada. We plan to make our induction weekend in August the best ever.”

Nevada-resident boxers (Three elected)

• Roger “The Black Mamba” Mayweather – Mayweather is a former world champion at both super featherweight (130 pounds) and super lightweight (140 pounds) whose 41 fights in Nevada are an NVBHOF record. He scored notable wins in Nevada over Vinnie Pazienza, Livingstone Bramble and Harold Brazier. Mayweather ended his career with a 59-13 record and 35 knockouts. He was also 8-5 in major world title fights. After his fighting days ended, he went on to become one of the sport’s elite trainers and currently trains out of the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas.

• Eddie Mustafa Muhammad – Born Eddie Gregory, Muhammad reigned as light heavyweight champion from March 31, 1980, when he stopped Marvin Johnson in the 11th round, until July 18, 1981, when he lost a 15-round unanimous decision to Michael Spinks. He compiled a 50-8-1 record with 39 knockouts and met all of the great 175-pounders of his era. He is now a highly sought after trainer who works out of the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas.

• Johnny “Mi Vida Loca” Tapia – Tapia won world titles at super flyweight, bantamweight and featherweight and was one of the most popular and exciting fighters of his time. Tapia, who struggled with drug addiction much of his life and died tragically at just 45 years of age in 2012, compiled a 59-5-2 record with 30 knockouts. Ring Magazine named his 1999 bout with Paulie Ayala in Las Vegas as its Fight of the Year. His life was chronicled in an HBO documentary simply called “Tapia”

Non-Nevada resident boxers (Seven elected)

• Muhammad Ali – Without question the most famous boxer ever, Ali was the first man to regain the heavyweight title and the first and still only man to hold the linear heavyweight title on three occasions. He was 56-5 with 37 knockouts in his legendary career, which began in 1960 after he won a gold medal as a light heavyweight at the Rome Olympics. Ali fought seven times in Nevada, going 5-2. He lost to Leon Spinks in a stunning 15-round decision at the then-Las Vegas Hilton in 1978 and then was stopped by Larry Holmes in 1980. He defeated Floyd Patterson, Ron Lyle, Jerry Quarry, Bob Foster and Joe Bugner in Nevada. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

• Sugar Ray Robinson – Widely regarded as the greatest fighter who ever lived, Robinson went 175-19-6 with 106 knockouts in a career that spanned 25 years. The Boxing Writers Association of America named its Fighter of the Year award after him. The Associated Press chose him as Boxer of the Century for the 20th century, as well as its best welterweight and best middleweight of the century. Robinson started his career 40-0 before a loss to Jake La Motta. He then proceeded to go 88-0-2 with a no contest in his next 91 bouts, giving him a stunning mark of 128-1-2. He fought in Nevada twice, losing to Gene Fullmer and Ferd Hernandez. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

• Marvelous Marvin Hagler – Hagler lost two of three fights to open 1976 that dropped his record to 26-2-1. But Hagler proceeded to turn his career around in a big way, reeling off a 36-0-1 streak that gained him recognition as arguably the greatest middleweight who ever lived. Hagler fought seven times in Nevada, including six world title fights. One of those was his third-round stoppage of Thomas Hearns in 1985 that many regard as one of the most exciting fights ever. He also lost a controversial decision to Sugar Ray Leonard in what turned out to be his final fight. He scored memorable wins in Nevada over Hearns, Roberto Duran, John Mugabi and Juan Domingo Roldan. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

• Lennox Lewis – The 1988 Olympic gold medalist lived up to the hype as a professional. He was 41-2-1 with 32 knockouts and avenged each of his defeats. He fought a number of his big fights in Las Vegas and defeated Evander Holyfield, Hasim Rahman, Oliver McCall and David Tua in world title fights in Nevada. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

• Marco Antonio Barrera – Barrera was 67-6 in his illustrious professional career, but could be a member of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame for three fights alone: His legendary trilogy with Erik Morales. They were three of the greatest matches ever and all were held in Las Vegas. Barrera won two of the three, including the 2004 bout that was named Fight of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America. Barrera also defeated Prince Naseem Hamed and Kevin Kelley in Las Vegas and suffered a loss to Manny Pacquiao.

• Felix “Tito” Trinidad – The big-punching Trinidad was 42-3 with 35 knockouts and participated in 10 world championship bouts in Las Vegas. His 1999 decision over Oscar De La Hoya was the best-selling non-heavyweight pay-per-view to that point, drawing 1.4 million sales. He also had a sensational slugfest win over Fernando Vargas in 2000, and had an impressive victory outdoors at Caesars Palace over David Reid. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

• Gene Fullmer – Fullmer fought Sugar Ray Robinson four times, going 2-1-1 in what were all world middleweight title bouts. He was 55-6-3 with 24 knockouts in his career. He was 2-0-1 in Nevada fights, all of which were for the middleweight title. He defeated Robinson and Benny Paret and drew with Dick Tiger. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Pioneer category (Five elected)

• James J. Corbett – Corbett was 14-4-3 with three no contests but had a rich boxing history in Nevada. Known as “Gentleman Jim,” Corbett fought in the first world title fight in Nevada when he was beaten in 1897 by Bob Fitzsimmons in Carson City. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

• Bob Fitzsimmons – Fitzsimmons became the first former middleweight champion to become heavyweight champion when he knocked out James J. Corbett in the 14th round in Carson City, Nev., on March 17, 1897. Fitzsimmons was 68-8-4 with 59 knockouts and 19 no contests. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

• Jack Johnson – Johnson retained the heavyweight title when he knocked out Jim Jeffries in the 15th round of a scheduled 45-rounder in Reno on July 4, 1910. Johnson became the first African American man to hold the world heavyweight title and he faced great racism. He often had to battle a so-called “Great White Hope.” Jeffries, the former champion, came out of retirement to fight Johnson in a bout that was dubbed “The Fight of the Century.” He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

• Joe Gans – Gans became the first African American boxer to win a world title when he claimed the lightweight title in 1906. He fought twice in Nevada, defeating Battling Nelson in Goldfield, Nev., in 1906 and stopping Kid Herman in Tonopah in 1907. He was 158-12-20 with 100 knockouts and six no contests. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

• Tex Rickard – Born George Lewis Rickard, Tex became the best-known boxing promoter in the first half of the 20th century. Rickard promoted heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey and in five fights together between 1921 and 1927, they grossed $8.4 million. Adjusted for inflation, that would be $114 million in 2014. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Non-boxer participants (Six elected)

• Lee Samuels – A former writer for the Philadelphia Bulletin, Lee Samuels became known as the best publicist in boxing when he was hired by Bob Arum. One of boxing’s good guys who has won multiple awards from the Boxing Writers Association of America, Samuels was always devoted to Arum, Top Rank and the company’s fighters. He was known for his detailed media notes and tirelessly spreading the word about boxing.

• Pat & Dawn Barry – The husband-and-wife duo are significant players in the amateur boxing business in Nevada and have helped thousands of kids by getting them started in the state’s amateur program. Their Las Vegas-based gym, Barry’s Boxing, is a place where many of the sport’s stars got their start and where numerous amateur tournaments are held. Among the many boxers that the Barrys developed are Augie Sanchez, Diego Magdaleno and Jesus Magdaleno.

• Steve Sneddon – The long-time boxing writer for the Reno Gazette-Journal, Sneddon was among the finest journalists in the country for decades. He traveled the world reporting on fights for the Gannett News Service and was ringside for many of the sport’s biggest events. He was known and respected by all of the major fighters for his honesty, accuracy and compelling writing on the sweet science.

• Dr. Donald Romeo – Romeo was the ringside physician for more than 10,000 in an era where the weigh-in was on the day of the fight. He had tremendous responsibilities but always looked out for the fighters’ best interests and was willing to pull a fighter from a card for health reasons no matter who objected. He was the doctor for the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and worked many major fights, including Muhammad Ali-Floyd Patterson.

• Chuck Hull – A classy, well-dressed man who was known for wearing a tuxedo into the ring, Hull is regarded as one of the great ring announcers in the sport’s history. A sportscaster at KLAS-TV, Channel 8, Hull announced most of the major fights in Las Vegas in the 1980s, including Larry Holmes-Gerry Cooney, Sugar Ray Leonard-Thomas Hearns and Muhammad Ali-Holmes. He also was the ring announcer for the boxing matches at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

• Dr. Robert Voy – One of the most respected ringside physicians in the sport’s history, Voy was a fierce advocate for fighter safety and was heavily involved in the anti-doping movement. He was the chief medical officer for the U.S. Olympic Committee and served as the president of USA Boxing. He was known for treating many of the sport’s biggest stars, often for free when they were unable to pay.

Established in 2013, the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame is a 501 (c) (3) IRS tax-exempt corporation committed to helping boxing-related causes. In keeping with its mission, the NVBHOF will award its donations to several groups, organizations, clubs and schools working hard to promote the positive aspects of boxing. All donations, raffles, and ticket purchases to NVBHOF events are tax-deductible. To donate, please go to www.nvbhof.com/donate. For more information on the Hall of Fame, the induction ceremony or the Hall’s mission, phone 702-368-2463 or visit its website at http://nvbhof.com.

By Norm Frauenheim

Drivers pass the Lonnie and Muhammad Ali Pavilion Center near downtown Phoenix all the time. It’s just another building at an intersection full of people en route to and from work, school and the mundane. But on Thursday it was something different.

If you looked up and saw the name that overlooks the traffic from its location at the northeast corner of a busy neighborhood, you were taken back to a day 40 years ago. Call it an intersection of time and place. A crossroads with history.

The anniversary of Ali’s eighth-round stoppage of George Foreman on Oct. 30, 1974 in Zaire has been recalled by those who were there and those who weren’t. My favorite is a column from columnist Jerry Izenberg, who was there.
http://www.nj.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/10/forty_years_ago_muhammad_ali_shocked_george_foreman_and_the_world_in_the_rumble_in_the_jungle_and_i.html

Reading Izenberg made me wish that I had been. Instead, I saw it as rookie sportswriter on closed-circuit in Jacksonville, Fla.
It was captivating then. It still is. It has stayed with us. It is an enduring piece of the public imagination, recalled vividly by those who were there and remembered by those of of us who saw it in black-and-white on tiny screens in dilapidated arenas. I’m not sure that anything in High-Def will ever be remembered the way Ali-Foreman is.

Floyd Mayweather Jr, has made a claim on being The Best Ever with his TBE caps and T-shirts. But will anybody recall his rematch victory over Marcos Maidana 40 years from now? Didn’t think so.

Forty years later, Ali and Foreman are a current lesson in what TBE really means. They were fearless, or at least courageous enough to fight despite countless reasons to be afraid of each other. They were willing to do it on the other side of the world in a locale as unpredictable, potentially volatile and exotic as any. It was a universe away from the MGM Grand, which in hindsight makes it that much more profound.

There was a price and a reward, but it not in the way it might have looked in the immediate aftermath of a right-hand lead that Ali landed in a stoppage heard-round-the-world.

For Ali, the victory ensured him of being the global icon he is today. As you drive past his name on the Pavilion that houses The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center four decades later, however, you wonder whether the punches he absorbed from one of history’s most powerful heavyweights in in so-called “rope-a-doe” tactic contributed to his condition.

Doctors never link the punches to his Parkinson’s. Yet in the public imagination, the collective mind’s eye, that link is always there. I still remember a moment with the late Joe Frazier. He was in Indianapolis during the 1996 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials for a lunch that the USOC threw to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his 1971 unanimous decision over Ali at New York’s Madison Square Garden. A film of that fight was playing in the corner of the ballroom. I asked Frazier about Ali’s condition.

“You see that left hand?’’ Frazier said as he pointed at the screen just as his potent left crashed into Ali’s face. “That’s why he is the way he is.’’

It was harsh. It was cruel. It was honest. It was 180-proof, an undiluted mix of what boxing has often been called: Life in a shot glass.

Ali, whose speech has been robbed by the terrible disease, has never complained about what the sport might have done to him. It was something he chose to do. The risk was known then. Today’s medical technology has told us more about the dangers that come with concussions. But even forty years ago, fighters knew they were walking straight into the jaws of potential harm. Ailing fighters have always been there, broken-down evidence of what can happen.

But Ali has used his condition and celebrity to further research into the disease that knocks down anybody it strikes. He and his wife, Lonnie, have devoted their time and energy to battling Parkinson’s at The Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. He appears at spring-training games or Suns game while staying at his winter home in Phoenix. People gawk at his condition. They talk. But he’s there, as fearless now as he was 40 years ago.

Then, there’s Foreman. The loser 40-years ago has undergone an amazing transformation. In Zaire, he was as intimidating and scary as Mike Tyson once was.

A favorite story comes from Bill Caplan, Foreman’s longtime friend and the best publicist anybody could ever have. Ali arrived in Zaire as the good guy. He was staying at a string of viilas along a river that Zaire President Joseph Mobutu had built for himself.

Foreman played the opposite role. He was the bad guy, which was exemplified by a German Shepherd that reminded people of the dogs they feared when they were under Belgian rule. He had reservations at a Spartan-like military post.

“A stockade with barb-wired fences, guards and everything else,’’ Caplan said.

Caplan recalls that one day Foreman decided to pay promoter Don King a visit at the InterContinental Hotel. But King wasn’t in an ordinary room. When Foreman knocked on the door, he discovered King was in the Presidential Suite.

“George told Don, ‘You’re moving out and I’m moving in,’ “ Caplan said.

King didn’t argue.

He even got rooms at the InterContinental for Foreman’s entourage of 21 people.

Few argued with Foreman in those days. Few argue with him today, but for a different reason. The onetime bad guy has become as likable as anybody. A senior citizen, he’s become the genial grandfather everybody wants to be around. His hamburger grill made him a lot richer than any fight purse ever did. Younger generations remember him more for the grill than they do for heavyweight titles.

In the end, he’s thankful for the chance to have fought Ali, whom he calls a legend bigger than boxing. His loss to Ali put him on the path to who he is today. Ali’s victory turned him into an icon, yet at a steep price

For Ali and Foreman, that day 40 years ago was a personal intersection. Personal, too, for a lot of us who are reminded of it every time we travel through it.

Recognized as sports television’s best storyteller and the leading TV platform for boxing, HBO Sports presents five of its acclaimed boxing documentaries on consecutive Thursday evenings this summer on HBO2. Featuring HBO Sports’ trademark blend of unseen archival footage, home movies, revealing interviews and unique storytelling, the festival launches June 26 with the powerful ALI-FRAZIER I: ONE NATION… DIVISIBLE and concludes with the celebrated 2013 presentation LEGENDARY NIGHTS: THE TALE OF GATTI-WARD.

Films include:

ALI-FRAZIER I: ONE NATION… DIVISIBLE (June 26, 7:00 p.m. ET/PT) chronicles the remarkable events and personalities surrounding the fight that reflected the cultural divide of the United States in the ‘60s and early ‘70s. Regarded by many boxing observers as “The Fight of the Century,” the match featured two undefeated heavyweights squaring off at New York’s Madison Square Garden in a contest that was much more than a title bout. The documentary was awarded a prestigious George Foster Peabody Award in 2001.

SUGAR RAY ROBINSON: THE BRIGHT LIGHTS AND DARK SHADOWS OF A CHAMPION (July 3, 7:00 p.m.) reviews the life of the man many consider the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in history. The Sports Emmy®-winning documentary explores his unparalleled ring career, the innovations he brought to the business side of the sport and his intriguing lifestyle.

JOE LOUIS: AMERICA’S HERO… BETRAYED (July 10, 6:45 p.m.) tells the story of the legendary boxer, born 100 years ago, and his tremendous impact on segregated America. The documentary reveals how the grandson of slaves became one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, served as an iconic figure in World War II and later carried himself with dignity and class through numerous setbacks.

KLITSCHKO (July 17, 6:00 p.m.) chronicles the dynamic brotherhood of Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko from their humble beginnings in the Soviet Union to their dominance as reigning world heavyweight champions. A production of BROADVIEW Pictures funded by FILM-UND MEDIENSTIFTUNG NRW, the documentary was directed by Sebastian Dehnhardt and nominated for the 2013 Sports Emmy® for Outstanding Sports Documentary.

LEGENDARY NIGHTS: THE TALE OF GATTI-WARD (July 24, 6:30 p.m.) revisits one of boxing’s greatest rivalries: the three-fight slugfest between Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward. The blend of interviews, thrilling ring action and previously unseen archival footage presents a fresh look at the electrifying trilogy forged by two ring warriors.

Following its Thursday night presentation on HBO2, each documentary will also be available on HBO On Demand® and HBO GO®.

LONDON (March 6) – Canelo Alvarez is using the story of ‘The Greatest’ Muhammad Ali to help inspire him to make his own boxing history starting this weekend.

The cinnamon haired superstar will be going toe-to-toe with countryman Alfredo Angulo as they lay their Mexican machismo on the line in front of a packed crowd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this weekend.

It is a significant fight for both men, particularly the 23-year-old Canelo, who will be under close scrutiny to see what effect his first defeat last September against pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather has had on him.

Hotly tipped as the man to take over the throne of Mayweather, Canelo was soundly beaten over twelve rounds but is refusing to let that setback stop him from following in the footsteps of his idol Ali and becoming one of history’s very best.

“I consider myself a person with a strong mindset and that’s how I moved on from the loss against Mayweather. I always train to win, like everybody else and unfortunately last September that was not the case,” Canelo recalled.

“I’m training to make history and to be one of the best in boxing history. One defeat is not everything. The biggest boxers in history have been defeated. For instance, Muhammad Ali was defeated and he came back and made history.

“So, here I am, making history, moving forward. I fight to make boxing history. That is why I fight,” said Canelo.

The former WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine light-middleweight world champion has jumped right back in at the deep end and refused to take an easier comeback fight than the one the hardened Angulo presents.

Having knocked out 18 opponents in his 22 wins, the 31-year-old Angulo has earned a reputation as one of boxing’s most exciting and dangerous fighters.

Canelo is under no illusions, however, and knows he will need to be on top of his game to tame the man known as ‘El Perro’ – ‘The Dog’.

“Angulo presents a difficult challenge because he’s a fighter who can punch and take a great punch. I know I have to prepare and establish my game plan early. But you know how it can be with game plans. Sometimes, once a fight starts, you have to do what you have to do to win and that’s what I am going to do on Saturday,” Canelo said.

“Obviously a knockout would be beautiful; that’s what the fans like, an impressive knockout. But I never go into a fight looking for a knockout. If it comes, it comes.

“Everyone says Angulo is the stronger guy, but I think I’m the strongest,” said a confident Canelo.

A fan favourite himself, inside and outside the ring, Canelo is keen to build on his budding reputation having broken pay-per-view records in his last fight with Mayweather.

The attractive eye-catching style of Angulo was one of the main reasons that Canelo opted to take the fight in a bill that has quite aptly been dubbed ‘Toe-To-Toe’ due to the exciting all-action affair many are expecting.

“Of course that was very important [the style of Angulo]. What the fans want to see is attractive fights, very good fights, and that was a big reason for doing this fight,” said Canelo.

“It’s a very, very different style [to Mayweather]. So the whole camp has been different, the sparring partners have been different. But it’s a style that’s going to be attractive and it’s going to make for a very good fight,” he said.

BoxNation viewers can see the premiere of episode two ‘All Access: Canelo vs. Angulo’ this Saturday at 6.30pm. Before live boxing action from Liverpool where rising bantamweight star Paul Butler faces tough Argentine Oreste Nieva for the vacant WBA intercontinental title.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo is live on BoxNation (Sky Ch.437/Virgin Ch.546) this Sunday from 2am. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £10* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Diaz and Mayweather vs Alvarez.

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Boxing and politics are impossible to separate. Proof rests in Muhammad Ali’s opposition to the Viet Nam war. But the ring and political office are an impossible mix. The furor surrounding Manny Pacquiao’s opposition to same-sex marriage in a misleading, examiner.com story is just another example of why the Filipino Congressman would have been better off if he had postponed his political career.

From this corner, it’s a mystery as to why Pacquiao would even comment about the issue. I’m a lot more interested in how he plans to deal with Tim Bradley’s head-butts on June 9. I also suspect the controversy will quickly subside, a forgotten tempest. An athlete’s opinion about anything outside of the arena is a little bit like going to the window at a Vegas book in March with wagers based on President Barack Obama’s NCAA bracket.

It’s foolish.

Pacquiao’s seat in Congress has always seemed to be something of a sideshow. It’s an intriguing element, just one among many in the make-up of a compelling story. Put it this way: Pacquiao is not going to be judged on what legislation he proposes, but only for whom he beats and how he beats them. If he loses to Bradley, he loses more votes than he would with an opinion about gay marriage.

The trouble with his political office is that he has become fair game, an easy target, for unseen shots he can’t counter when all of his time and energy are needed in the challenge posed by the dangerous Bradley. Politicians without enemies are ex-politicians.

From an issue with Filipino authorities to a controversy with customs about goods imported by his charitable foundation, Pacquiao’s office and his aspirations beyond Congress have created a complicated landscape full of fronts that will confront him all at once at a time when only one fight really matters.

From the Twitter front
Is anybody taking Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s latest tweet seriously? Mayweather tells his 2.8 million followers: “I stand behind President Obama & support gay marriage. I’m an American citizen & I believe people should live their life the way they want.’’

I guess that means few remember Mayweather’s internet video about Pacquiao a couple of years ago. Mayweather repeatedly used a homophobic slur to describe Pacquiao.

Dates, Quotes, Anecdotes
· Happy Birthday, Sugar Ray Leonard. He turned 56 Thursday.

· With a Chad Dawson-Andre Ward fight possible in September, Lucian Bute was asked for his pick Thursday in a conference call that included Carl Froch in the build-up for their EPIX-televised fight on May 26 in Nottingham, England. “A very good fight,’’ said Bute, who agreed to face Froch when Ward said no. “Probably 50-50. I would give a little edge to Dawson right now.’’ Leonard will work as an EPIX analyst for Bute-Froch.

· And Froch, on Bute’s contention that a succession of punches can crack his durable chin. “The best chin in the business is the one that doesn’t get hit.’’

AZ Notes
· Happy Birthday, Jose Benavidez, Jr. The Phoenix junior-welterweight prospect turned 20 Tuesday while training for May 26 at Tucson’s Casino del Sol in his first bout since surgery on his right wrist for an injury suffered in a November victory on the Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez undercard. “He looks good, looks strong,’’ said his dad and trainer, Jose Benavidez Sr., who said his son knocked out a sparring partner last week with a left hook.

· Tijuana super-flyweight Hanzel Martinez, Antonio Margarito’s brother-in-law, will get a shot at a minor title, the North American Boxing Federation’s version, on the May 26 card. Margarito had been scheduled for the main event, but his first fight since a December loss was postponed until July because of foot injury suffered a few days after it was formally announced.