Muhammad Ali
Fighting thoughts: As a boxer he will always be remembered as "The greatest". Olympian, multi time world boxing champ. The world's most famous boxer who was an incredible entertainer.
What did he bring as a fighter?
As an athelete Ali was amazing for being a tall man who moved like a lightweight. He was amazing for his sense of longevity boxing from the 60's though to the early 80's.
He was an amazing entertainer who understood the business side of sports. He bring comedy, poetry, political intrigue, religious turmoil into the ring and into the world/ He could play a very abusive villain and switch to a very good humanitarian in later life. He was such an entertainer that he even crossed over it the realm of sports entertainment and pro-wrestling. letting himself get tossed around by the giant gorilla monsoon. Even wrestling the legendary japanese wrestling champ antonio Inoki. (it should be understood that japanese wrestling is infamous for "working stiff" and wrestlers are known for giving their opponents full impact or even in some bouts just fighting for real. Ali left the ring victorious but nearly paralyzed from 15minutes of leg kicks. Ali even referee'd wrestle mania 1.
In terms of martial arts Ali made improvements and hinderences to the fighting value of boxing.
In the negative Ali adjusted his fighting style to contort around the rules of pro-boxing, which while making himsuccesful in the ring stripped the martial arts value of a real life encounter. The high punches had greater speed and people could land points better. But in real fighting the high hands opens the boxer ups to kicks and grappling.
In the positive the famous "rope-a-dope" strategy against George Foreman gives to real fighting in the sense that your opponent in real life has a limit of endurance in a street fight before a good defense combined with time does become a powerful offense. Also his foot work brought a new dimension to hand fighting and a great tool for distraction.
Also Drama plays a role in real life fighting, getting your opponent either distracted or disoriented can be a great tool for enhancing an altercation.
Personal Thoughts:
I have a lot of mixed feelings when hearing of the passing of Muhammad
Ali. A lot of it hit's home. He grew up in my city. Friends from high
school told me stories from their parents and uncles knowing him and
some even beating him up as a young boy. He was a larger than life
figure and a sports hero. When someone grows up in your town and
achieves worldwide fame it makes you wonder about your own potential.
He will always be known as a legend in boxing. I am aware of many good
deeds in the community and many good causes he has supported. I even
saw a youtube video where he gave a speech to British atheists
encouraging them to believe in God.
On these issues i think it is good to show respect.
But when we speak of Muhammad Ali I don't think we are speak of the
man. When the world talks muhammad ali "the greatest". We are
speaking of an idol. Perhaps even the man knew he was worshipping an
idol.
Ironically the man was named after another man 1800's civil
rights activist Cassius clay. The man was named by his parents who were
of the baptist faith and it is inevitable that he heard the gospel many
times and deny the gospel of Jesus in fact he blasphemed himself as the
"savior of the boxing world". Then he changed his name to the name of
another man "muhammad ali". The egyptian ali was a man of war. "The
event was held on March 1, 1811. When the Mamluks had gathered at the
Citadel, and were surrounded by Muhammad Ali's troops, he had his troops
kill them.[b] After the leaders were killed, Muhammad Ali dispatched
his army throughout Egypt to rout the remainder of the Mamluk forces."https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali_of_Egypt
It is quite ironic that in the name of religion he changed his name to
war monger and claimed it made him a pacifist. But war is a tricky
topic, so who can judge?
The real problem is not whether he was
always right or wrong. The real problem is "the greatest" in this life
verses "the greatest" in the next life. Ali got everything that life
has to offer. He aquired wealth and fame and prestige. People even
show him religious devotion. But what will the next life provide him?
Now I believe that anyone can make a "deathbed confession" But you have
to assume there is a confession. So the message of his life will have
to do. We know of 2 doctrines Ali held. Islamic religion and self-esteem
philosophy. Jesus the name above all names did not teach self esteem
theology as the bible states.
philippians 2: 3 Let nothing be done
through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem
other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things,
but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you,
which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, being in the form of God, thought
it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 but made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men: 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross"
The religion of Islam offers a different gospel than the gospel of
salvation based upon an angel. Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so
soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto
another gospel: 7 which is not another; but there be some that trouble
you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an
angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we
have preached unto you, let him be accursed."http://biblesmack.blogspot.com/…/is-allah-same-as-jehovah.h…
Not only does this false teaching rip people away from the truth of
the gospel but it brings them naked before God as sinners in time fore
judgement. But it spreads like poison. Ali today is not on earth
receiving adoration from his followers. He is standing before the
almighty jehovah as a mere mortal who claimed to be great.
romans
3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them
who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the
world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law
there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the
knowledge of sin. The only way of salvation is because of the blood!!!!
http://biblesmack.blogspot.com/…/its-because-of-blood-reaso…
We need our heavenly Father more than we need a role model.
https://youtu.be/PRFqgmkmcJs…
I earnestly do respect this man's accomplishments.
But I am willing to take the Heat, if takes the heat from the fires of
hell from off the backs of someone who like to hear the grace of the
gospel of Jesus Hears the hope of salvation.
https://youtu.be/6k-LCZE3S6s
