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Ali... What An Amazing Life

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by Joe Strummer, Jun 4, 2016.

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  1. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    I only try to explain the life + times of this man - to younger folks.
    Just how his boxing matches + political fights were world events.
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    And the strange cornerman he employed -- Bundee (sp?).
    Who was really just his muse.........and later sold off a Championship belt, of Ali's.
     
  2. Char1

    Char1 VIP Whale

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    RIP Champ
     
  3. jagdan61

    jagdan61 Low-Roller

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    My Dad died in Vietnam fighting a war he did not believe in either. But he actually went. I could never forgive Ali for that. Might make me wrong in many eyes but I can't change how I feel. Yes this violates the Political rules. I know. I'm done with this one comment.
     
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  4. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    image.jpeg
    (This picture still gives me chills)

    True story. I'm in my early 20's circa 1982 or so. Went to Vegas for a four day weekend by myself. Stayed at Stardust and won pretty big playing BJ. I had more cash than I'd ever had before and wanted to get back to San Diego and back to my ship at the Navy base before I could blow it all in Vegas.

    So I go to the airport and get on a flight that goes from LAS to SFO to LAX to San Diego. Took the first flight that would get me out of Vegas. Between SFO and LAX I needed to use the rest room so I went up in the first class cabin and used theirs. On my way back to my seat I see Ali. The seat next to him is empty. I walk by, nod my head and say "Hi Champ", and figured that would be that. He actually stands up and shakes my hand. I tell him my dad was a big fan of his and how my dad saw him fight Cleveland Williams in the Astrodome back in the sixties. He asked me if I was a fan and I told him that I was at the very end of his career, told him I had tears in my eyes at the end of the Holmes bout, and that I thought he lost the fight against Ernie Shavers. His reply about the Shavers fight was one I'll have forever: "He didn't knock me out, I was still the champ". Greatest few minutes of my life. Seriously.

    Sure he was controversial, but he along with The Babe, Clint and Sinatra will always be on my Mount Rushmore as touchstones of American culture.

    RIP Champ!!!
     
    Annual CCA (Casino Collectibles Association) Show at South Point
    Long Overdue Stay At The Golden Nugget
  5. chitownjohn

    chitownjohn High-Roller

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    "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" - one of the best quotes ever. RIP!
     
  6. abraxis

    abraxis Low-Roller

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    One of the most sobering moments i can recall watching TV was seeing him light the cauldron in Atlanta in 96. RIP.
     
  7. VPDana

    VPDana High-Roller

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    We saw Ali and his entourage walking around the Bellagio years ago. It was the year (?) the Bellagio first opened. We were there the second day of its grand opening.
     
  8. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    I have the upmost respect for those men who answered the country's call to fight that unpopular war. They went because even though they might not believe in the cause, their love of their country prevailed.

    Your Dad and the countless others who went and sacrificed are true heroes and Patriots.
     
  9. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    You are not alone. Much gratitude to guys like you dad.
     
  10. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

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    As a Vietnam veteran, I have a different view of Mr. Ali's politics.

    As a sports fan, I recognize that he was a one of a kind and even if you didn't like him, you can't avoid his accomplishments.

    I also had an Ali encounter. It was 1972, I was 23 years old and driving a cab. I was in the taxi line at the downtown Sheraton in Philly, huddled up with the other cabbies and rating the passing females. Up pulls a bronze Rolls-Royce limo. Everyone gawks at it, must be somebody famous. Out pops Muhammad Ali, who lived in Cherry Hill, NJ at the time. He hustles into the hotel, walking right past us. We look at each other in wide-eyed wonder. One of the doormen comes over and says that Ali told him to let us know he would just be a few minutes and he was sorry to block us in.

    No more than 5 minutes later, Ali comes back, looks at us, and says plain as day "Fuckin' women. They ain't never on time." He gives us that big grin, shakes a few of our hands, gets back in the limo and is gone into traffic.

    Never did see the woman he was talking about.
     
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