BoxRec

I have a question regarding the relationship between Howard Cosell and Muhammad Ali: I am only 32 years old, so much of my exposure to Ali has come from video. But when I watch Cosell interview Ali and cover his fights as a broadcaster, Cosell clearly does not appear to be objective.

Was their any kind of rumblings among the public against having Howard broadcast Ali's fights, since he clearly did not come across as an objective reporter?

Cossell was an outspoken critic of Ali during the Vietnam controversy, and criticised him as a fighter during the early part of his comback. However, he seemed to warm to him throughout the 70's, a classic moment being his "forever young" commentry during the last round of the 2nd spinks fight.

revporl wrote:Cossell was an outspoken critic of Ali during the Vietnam controversy, and criticised him as a fighter during the early part of his comback. However, he seemed to warm to him throughout the 70's, a classic moment being his "forever young" commentry during the last round of the 2nd spinks fight.

He wasn't a critic of Ali during the Vietnam controversy...he backed Ali and defended his decision.

Wasn`t Cossell to Ali what Harry Carpenter was to Frank Bruno

CarneraKOsSharkey wrote:I have a question regarding the relationship between Howard Cosell and Muhammad Ali: I am only 32 years old, so much of my exposure to Ali has come from video. But when I watch Cosell interview Ali and cover his fights as a broadcaster, Cosell clearly does not appear to be objective.

Was their any kind of rumblings among the public against having Howard broadcast Ali's fights, since he clearly did not come across as an objective reporter?

It would be easier to answer your question if you would put out what you beleive the slant was. How did you interpret Cossel's comments? I would be glad to give much in the way of feedback once I understand the context of your statement. Depending on what time period you are talking about you could be coming from polar opposite points of view on this. Anyone who lived in this era will know what I am talking about.

revporil and Decagon are hinting at what I am talking about here.

BoxBuzz wrote:

CarneraKOsSharkey wrote:I have a question regarding the relationship between Howard Cosell and Muhammad Ali: I am only 32 years old, so much of my exposure to Ali has come from video. But when I watch Cosell interview Ali and cover his fights as a broadcaster, Cosell clearly does not appear to be objective.

Was their any kind of rumblings among the public against having Howard broadcast Ali's fights, since he clearly did not come across as an objective reporter?

It would be easier to answer your question if you would put out what you beleive the slant was. How did you interpret Cossel's comments? I would be glad to give much in the way of feedback once I understand the context of your statement. Depending on what time period you are talking about you could be coming from polar opposite points of view on this. Anyone who lived in this era will know what I am talking about.

revporil and Decagon are hinting at what I am talking about here.

Perhaps I am just reading into things too much, but I felt as though Cosell lost his objectivity and was pro-Ali.

ali and cossell were very friendly in their interviews and i think they both respected ach other greatly. and yeah i understood cossell to have backed ali up in his vietnam decision. cant say i agree with what ali did but then again thats just my opinion.

cant say i agree with what ali did but then again thats just my opinion.

Ali lived in a time when the Government would readily send a young black man of to war to die, but would deny him his dignity back home. Ali's draft eligibilty was changed to fornicate with him because he was a black man who spoke his mind, and didnt worship God in a familiar and exceptible manner. Ali took a stand; a stand that cost him his career at the time, his prime and could have cost him his freedom or even his life. Ali fought the battle of his life, and won it using one of the greatest rights we have as Americans, Due Proccess.
Not only do I agree with what he did, I applaud it.