Ali
... went to the induction Center on San Jacinto street in Houston on April 28, 1967. When they announced “Cassius Marcellus Clay – U.S Army” he had not stepped forward and was than warned that if he did not accept induction than he would constitute a felony under the Universal Military Service and Training Act; punishable by five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. When his name was repeated two more times he had still not stepped forward and was than arrested by the FBI. While on bail, Ali had told the press that he has never shot anything in his life and when asked about the Viet Cong he stated “I ain’t got no quarrel with them Viet Congs. No Viet Cong ever called me nigger.” Ali had said 1 “I ain’t got to be what nobody else want me to be, and I ain’t afraid to be what I want to be, think how I want to think.” With this said Ali had made his strongest stand; believing that he is not going to fight a war for people that don’t give a damn about him and all of the rest of the blacks. Ali was charged for violating the Selective Service Act and was sentenced to five years imprisonment and fined $10,000. 2 On appeal, he could save himself from the jail but the worst thing that had happened to him was the exile from boxing and his title was taken away, along with his passport. Ali was taking his case to the Supreme Court on the basis of religious beliefs. To do all of this Ali had to start raising money since he was now in financial trouble. To raise money Ali had given speeches to colleges and Universities and in those lectures he would talk about his vision regarding the war or segregation of blacks. He had also taken up a career in acting in the musical “Buck White”. The only thing that had failed to gain him money was the “Champburger” chain of fast food restaurants that was to help pay for his legal fees. When Ali had announced to the public that he had wanted to fight Joe Frazier and had even mentioned his famous quote: 3 Ali comes out to meet Frazier, but Frazier starts to retreat. If Joe goes back an inch farther, he’ll wind up in a ringside seat. Ali swings with his left, Ali swings with his right. Just look at the kid carry the fight. Frazier keeps backin’, but there’s not enough room. It’s only a matter of time before Ali lowers the boom. Ali swings with his right. What a beautiful swing. But the punch lifts Frazier clean out of the ring. Frazier’s still rising, and the referee wears a frown… ‘cause he can’t start countin’ till Frazier comes down. Frazier’s disappeared from view, the crowd is getting frantic. But our radar stations picked him up. He’s somewheres over the Atlantic. Now, who would have thought...