Frank Koza Collection > SERIES I: Newsfilm > SUBSERIES II: Sports

Muhammad Ali 11/28/16/77B

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The Rolls Royce parked on East 63rd Street was the only sign of luxury outside the Windy City Gym.

Inside the dingy boxing parlor, the only sign of opulence was visible around the middle of Muhammad Ali.

The greatest confessed Monday to being the fattest he's been in many years.

And with Friday's exhibition match with Scott Ledoux only a couple of steak dinners away, the champ is starting to sweat.

It's too late to get into decent shape, and there's always the possibility Ali could be embarrassed by Ledoux in their five round match.

And that's why I'm going to get Scott Ledoux, because I have extra weight.

I predict all the people out here, this will be a free fall battle.

He's looking for reputation like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, Jesse James, whatever the big shots go in the Dodge City, somebody always want to out draw Jesse James.

They always want to Doc Holliday or Wyatt Earp.

Looking for reputation.

This is a country boy.

He don't like color people.

Oh man.

And I'm going to get him.

I'm going to get him.

He called me a bad name.

It rhymes with trigger.

Oh really? You know a trigger? He called me a trigger.

Really? And I'm going to get Scott Ledoux.

I'm never going to hope a man so bad.

I'm almost waiting out of shape, but it's five rounds, and we are going for it all.

And then when I hit him, here's what he will see.

Lights out.

I love my rice pudding hot with vanilla ice cream melting over.

All of you are watching this interview, all of you who love to eat, I'm with you.

If they say you're getting too fat, say well Muhammad Ali do too.

You said you're out of shape though right? Is there a chance he could tag you? Yeah.

Well then isn't that a gamble? Yeah.

Well that ain't nothing.

This exhibition, he can knock me cold, don't take my title.

Yeah but wouldn't it hurt your prestige? This, this, this would hurt the prestige.

That would hurt the prestige.

That would hurt the prestige.

You don't need no knockdown.

Don't you agree? Just get in like this.

Identifier
F.2012-03-1624
Date Of Production
November 28 1977
Abstract
Muhammad Ali is interviewed at Windy City Boxing Gym in advance of his December 2, 1977 exhibition with Scott LeDoux to be held at Auditorium Theater. 
Description
This footage depicts Muhammad Ali during his training at Windy City Boxing Gym (at 5411 East 63rd Street). The news reporter teases Ali—drawing attention to his luxurious Rolls Royce parked outside of the gym, and the "opulence" visible around the "middle" of Ali that will likely do damage to his prestige. Heightening potential audiences' anticipation for Ali's December 2, 1977 exhibition with Scott LeDoux to be held at Auditorium Theater, the reporter implies that Ali is out of shape and might lose the match. Ali asserts that his extra weight will give him an advantage: it will be a "free for all!" Hightlights include Ali speaking lovingly about hot rice pudding with vanilla ice cream melted over the top.
Run Time
0:03:13
Format
16mm
Extent
116 feet
Color
Color
Sound
Mag Stripe
Reel/Tape Number
1/1
Has Been Digitized?
Yes
Language Of Materials
English
Element
Trims and Outs
Genre
Sports
Interview
Journalism
Form
Outtakes
Newsreels
Subject
Boxing
Food
Sports
Related Collections
SUBSERIES II: Sports

Related Places
North America ➜ United States ➜ Illinois ➜ Chicago

Main Credits
Koza, Frank (is filmmaker)

Participants And Performers
Ali, Muhammad (is interviewee)

 
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