Ali and Joe Louis are interchangable at the 1 and 2 spots in heavyweight history. More times than not, when you see one of them listed the other will be next. Thats just how it is, and probably will be for a long time. It is their link.
Unfortunatley they are both linked in a more dubious way too. They were both screwed over by their own goverment. Now Im an American. I believe in the American way. But lets face facts, its not perfect. And both these men were screwed by it. Who got screwed worse?
In 1967 Muhammed Ali refused induction into the armed services to go fight in Vietnam. He did so citing religious beliefs. The United State goverment subseqently banned him from fighting for more than 3 years until the Supreme court ruled that Ali had the right to refuse service based on his convictions. Still, in that time frame he unjustly lost part of his prime.
In 1942 Joe Louis, in his prime, decided to join the United States Army and its fight against Adolf Hitler in World War 2. His title was frozen and he proceded to make appearences to improve troop moral, and even fight exhibitions where he would donate his purse to the relief fund. This went on for four years, the whole time the goverment was taxing the purses that Louis was donating right back to the very same goverment, and expecting payment on that once Louis was released from active duty. The US dug its claws in and wasn't going to let Louis off the hook. Financially, and mentally, this broke him.
Both these men were just trying to do right. One, by his beliefs, which were and are protected by the United States constitution. The other, by his country, for which he only wanted to help. Both got **** on and paid a heavy price. In your opinion which of the great men got screwed worse, and why?
Unfortunatley they are both linked in a more dubious way too. They were both screwed over by their own goverment. Now Im an American. I believe in the American way. But lets face facts, its not perfect. And both these men were screwed by it. Who got screwed worse?
In 1967 Muhammed Ali refused induction into the armed services to go fight in Vietnam. He did so citing religious beliefs. The United State goverment subseqently banned him from fighting for more than 3 years until the Supreme court ruled that Ali had the right to refuse service based on his convictions. Still, in that time frame he unjustly lost part of his prime.
In 1942 Joe Louis, in his prime, decided to join the United States Army and its fight against Adolf Hitler in World War 2. His title was frozen and he proceded to make appearences to improve troop moral, and even fight exhibitions where he would donate his purse to the relief fund. This went on for four years, the whole time the goverment was taxing the purses that Louis was donating right back to the very same goverment, and expecting payment on that once Louis was released from active duty. The US dug its claws in and wasn't going to let Louis off the hook. Financially, and mentally, this broke him.
Both these men were just trying to do right. One, by his beliefs, which were and are protected by the United States constitution. The other, by his country, for which he only wanted to help. Both got **** on and paid a heavy price. In your opinion which of the great men got screwed worse, and why?
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