Oscar Smith, an attorney with the Department of Justice, offers insight into the tumultuous legal battle of Muhammad Ali against the draft during the Vietnam War. He discusses Ali's brave refusal to serve, grounded in his religious beliefs, despite facing severe backlash and losing his title. The conversation highlights the societal pressures and the internal conflict within the legal system regarding Ali's exemption. Smith also delves into the emotional challenges Ali faced, including tensions with the Nation of Islam and the repercussions on his personal life.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Pre-Match Scuffle
Before a title match, Ali and Ernie Terrell had a heated exchange during a press interview with Howard Cosell.
The argument, fueled by Terrell's refusal to use Ali's Muslim name, escalated into a physical altercation.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Ali vs. Terrell
During the February 1967 fight, Ali taunted Terrell by repeatedly asking "What's my name?".
Terrell lost the match, with commentators acknowledging Ali's dominance.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Draft Notice
Ali received his draft notice on March 15, 1967, while having dinner after training.
He acknowledged that his next bout might be his last.
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Muhammad Ali vs. the United States of America, 1966-1971
Leigh Montville
This book provides an exhaustively researched and detailed account of Muhammad Ali's life from 1966 to 1971, a period marked by his refusal to serve in the Vietnam War due to his religious beliefs. It explores Ali's struggle against the U.S. government, his involvement with the Nation of Islam, and the broader cultural and political context of the late 1960s. The book offers a nuanced and balanced portrayal of Ali, highlighting his athletic prowess, his wit, and his faith, as well as the challenges he faced during this tumultuous period in American history[1][4][5].
Ali
A Life
Noelia González Barrancos
Jonathan Eig
This biography by Jonathan Eig provides an in-depth look at the life of Muhammad Ali, from his birth as Cassius Clay in racially segregated Louisville, Kentucky, to his rise as a heavyweight boxer, warrior for racial pride, comedian, preacher, poet, draft resister, actor, and lover. The book is based on over 500 interviews and thousands of pages of previously unreleased FBI and Justice Department files, as well as audiotaped interviews from the 1960s. It sheds new light on Ali’s politics, religion, personal life, and neurological condition, offering a nuanced and epic portrayal of one of the twentieth century’s most iconic figures.
In 1967, Muhammad Ali officially refuses induction into the U.S. military, standing firm in his religious objection to the Vietnam War. He is stripped of his heavyweight title, barred from boxing, and sentenced to five years in prison. Ali fights back with appeals while struggling with mounting legal bills, public criticism, and even suspension from the Nation of Islam.
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