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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsObama vs Romney II
3-8-1971: Joe Frazier decisions Muhammad Ali, 15 rounds..
1-26-1974: Muhammad Ali decisions Joe Frazier, 12 rounds.
10-1-1975: Muhammad Ali TKOs Joe Frazier, 14 rounds.
I understand why some folks do not like to compare politics to boxing. And I fully appreciate that presidential elections lack the socio-political significance of the Ali versus Frazier trilogy. Still, I think that by examining their three classic bouts, we can get an idea of what to expect in tonights Obama vs. Romney debate #2.
In what was called The Fight of the Century, two undefeated heavyweight met at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1971. The older and better educated folks on this forum will recall that this fight was viewed in a larger cultural context. Ali, who had taken a brave stance against Uncle Sams war in Vietnam, represented both Black Power and the counterculture. Frazier, through no fault of his own, was identified as the establishments champion. (He definitely wasnt!) Frazier won by decision in a fight that caused more controversy than the first Obama-Romney debate.
Ali would win a convincing decision in the second fight. I was sitting at ringside at MSG that night. Muhammad used his greater size, speed, and skill to outbox Smokin Joe. Then, in their rubber match, the two stood toe-to-toe, in what most experts consider to be the greatest heavyweight title fight in boxing history. After 14 back-and-forth rounds, Joes corner man Eddie Futch told the referee to stop the fight. He would later say that he was convinced that Joe would have risked death had he attempted to fight that last round.
I believe that tonights debate will be won by President Obama. He will, like Ali in the second fight, use his greater intellect, political skills, and personality to pick an outclassed Romney apart. Then, in next weeks third debate, President Obama will go toe-to-toe with Romney, and deliver a whipping that kills Willards political career.
Like the Ali vs. Frazier trilogy, historians will focus on the 1st and 3rd debates in future coverage of the Obama vs. Romney contest. While the second one might lack some of the excitement, it will demonstrate the difference in the contestants level of skills. Im looking forward to a group of friends coming over to watch it tonight. And after they leave, Ill enjoy getting on DU, to discuss the event.
Enjoy tonights debate!
H2O Man
(73,537 posts)I think that President Obama will (verbally) knock that stupid fucking grin off Romney's face.
H2O Man
(73,537 posts)I'd love to see that, myself.
H2O Man
(73,537 posts)President Obama knows what he has to do.
MagickMuffin
(15,937 posts)get away with derailing the campaign.
MagickMuffin
(15,937 posts)We would ALL love to see President Obama knocking the smirk off of Mitt's face.
H2O Man
(73,537 posts)Enjoy the debate!
MagickMuffin
(15,937 posts)Yep, I can see his silly little grin floating down on the floor. However, Mitt is too stiff to bend down and pick it up.
spanone
(135,831 posts)RagAss
(13,832 posts)Although I would prefer Ali-Foreman tonight.....
H2O Man
(73,537 posts)would also do just fine.
(If anyone isn't familiar with this -- Ali in his prime -- watch it on youtube.)
RagAss
(13,832 posts)coeur_de_lion
(3,676 posts)Can't wipe the smile off my face. Can't stop reading and re-posting on facebookall the Romney jokes.
Life is good.