Facing Ali is a Dynamite Documentary

[PetethePrince]

At first it seemed like an ordinary Ali documentary. But I was wrong... it was great to see the insight of the other fighter's. It slows down a bit toward the end, mostly getting more boring due to the Shavers and Spinks parts, but all in all it's a great watch. So much was going on in it. I really appreciated and liked Chuvalo's part and insights. He seemed to be the most honest and insightful about events and things to me. The Frazier was also a great part. Frazier actually gets a little teary eyed, and shows the most compassion/sadness I've ever seen. He gets a little teary eyed when reflecting on what Ali did to him, and in part when referring to Ali's condition today. A lot of the guys seemed touched and saddened by that (Naturally).

It's a great watch, and makes you truly appreciate and feel almost humbled seeing Ali's career. What he endured, and what he represented (Especially to black America).

There's no thick message forced down you. The end and bits become a bit of a hero worship ceremony, but most of it is just the insight from the fighter and their thoughts. There is the good and bad from all sides. The documentary doesn't try to lean or point you in one way or another. Very interesting and great watch. You'll hear about what Norton did for Ali and how that fight changed his life. And how he visited Norton when he had a car wreck. And to Norton saying the "Broken Jaw thing was a lie. That happened only in the last round." To Ron Lyle having a dream about fighting Ali that happened to be very similar to their fight.

I would say, the documentary sometimes gets too into the personal life's of each fighter, but the background is nice. At parts, it's too much. It's really not JUST an Ali documentary, let alone an Ali film. The fighters share their story, too. It's more a documentary about the people who fought Ali and their view on his impact and how he was as a man and fighter. Great great stuff.... just go watch it.

[doug.ie]

i didnt think this was released yet....where did you see it ?

[Mendoza]

I read the book. Never saw the doc. Holmes was classic in the book. If you think Tiger Woods loved the girls, you should check out Ali. Holmes said Ali's camp was a circus and he sleep with whatever he could get. Holmes said Ali would F a snake if you held its head down.

I also enjoyed the Lyle and Norton parts. Its the best book on Ali I ever read.

[he grant]

I know it's being released on DVD any day now ... never saw the film yet ... was a bit so-so on it as the material has been gone over soooooooo many times but preview looks good and Spike is a talented filmaker ....

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[groove]

yeah wanna see it. thanks for the review - sounds good.
merry xmas everyone - this is funny!
c7nI_5AoHvc

[PetethePrince]

I read the book. Never saw the doc. Holmes was classic in the book. If you think Tiger Woods loved the girls, you should check out Ali. Holmes said Ali's camp was a circus and he sleep with whatever he could get. Holmes said Ali would F a snake if you held its head down.

I also enjoyed the Lyle and Norton parts. Its the best book on Ali I ever read.

He comments this in the documentary. Holmes said the girls at camp "Damn... Why couldn't I have some of them girls!" He told him to slow down and Ali said "Shut up. I know what I'm doing I've been doing this for years."

Ken Norton also stole a girl from him and Ali bantered at him "I'll get you for that."

The documentary was released yesterday. I'd recommend it.

[doug.ie]

i grabbed a download and watched it earlier...very good alright..

[boxerca]

I've seen it, as well. It's pretty good.

[red cobra]

I've always thought that the broken jaw occured in the last round..that's the only thing that makes sense. The 12th saw the biggest punches by Norton,..the most significant shots.

[groove]

have you watched the fight. look after the 4th they're looking at his broken jaw between rounds.

[Caponecartels]

I'm mid-way through watching it.
So far it seems very good, and I do agree with it sometimes slowing down
but for non-hardcore boxing it shows alot of info they wouldn't know.

[Addie]

Thought it was interesting that Shavers admitted to losing the fight, and I thought it was cool when Ron Lyle gave Frazier his props. "The guy was like a little pitbull. Trust me man, that man could fight dawg".

[Bill Butcher]

Got the `Facing Ali` book as a Christmas prez, read chapter one - Tunney Hunsaker - & started chapter 2 right away - Henry Cooper - good read so far & I havent even hit the good fighters yet.

Definitely gonna catch the doc :good

[Caponecartels]

Got the `Facing Ali` book as a Christmas prez, read chapter one - Tunney Hunsaker - & started chapter 2 right away - Henry Cooper - good read so far & I havent even hit the good fighters yet.

Definitely gonna catch the doc :good

Hit me up through PM if you need a link.

[PetethePrince]

Thought it was interesting that Shavers admitted to losing the fight, and I thought it was cool when Ron Lyle gave Frazier his props. "The guy was like a little pitbull. Trust me man, that man could fight dawg".


I also loved when Foreman admitted that Frazier lost his hunger. He even went as far to say "If I were to fight Frazier 2 years earlier in 71 it would've been a different fight. You can believe that."

Foreman also was vocal with his opinion on Norton beating Ali 3 times. Some people have this opinion. The common census is Norton won 2/3 times (Which Ali admits too).

[PetethePrince]

Got the `Facing Ali` book as a Christmas prez, read chapter one - Tunney Hunsaker - & started chapter 2 right away - Henry Cooper - good read so far & I havent even hit the good fighters yet.

Definitely gonna catch the doc :good


Haha so did I. Saw the documentary first but love to read the book too.

[Bill Butcher]

I also loved when Foreman admitted that Frazier lost his hunger. He even went as far to say "If I were to fight Frazier 2 years earlier in 71 it would've been a different fight. You can believe that."

Foreman also was vocal with his opinion on Norton beating Ali 3 times. Some people have this opinion. The common census is Norton won 2/3 times (Which Ali admits too).

Foreman likes the odd swipe at Ali Ive noticed but he mixes it up with a lot of nice things he`s said too so it sounds OK (still not sure he`s 100% over Zaire:lol:)

Ali won the 2nd Norton fight, close but clear, Norton won the 1st fight clear as day & Ive only seen about 9 rds of fight 3 but consensus says it was a Norton win, I accept that.

[groove]

loved it, essential viewing with some great interesting stories e.g. why Terrell dropped out and Chuvalo got his fight with Ali in 1966.

[Addie]

I also loved when Foreman admitted that Frazier lost his hunger. He even went as far to say "If I were to fight Frazier 2 years earlier in 71 it would've been a different fight. You can believe that."

Foreman also was vocal with his opinion on Norton beating Ali 3 times. Some people have this opinion. The common census is Norton won 2/3 times (Which Ali admits too).

Nah. Norton won 2 of them, not all three. :good ...Against all past prime versions, sure enough.

I loved it when Spinks told the fuckin truth about the Holmes fight too.

"Larry would say, 'I beat the Heavyweight champion of the world'. Bullshit. You beat a man that "was" the Heavyweight champion of the world".

"Took advantage of an old man". Damnnnn straight.

George Chuvalo is unreal man. The guy is in perfect shape..talks really fluently, and he took more punishment than any of them...even outside of the ring with losing half his family. Great guy. I liked Ron Lyle too. Big success story, coming out of prison and going on to achieve what he did. There was no controversy over the stoppage though, Lyle took about 30-35 punches without replying.

[Bill1234]

I just got done watching it. Leon cracked me up with his different names and cursing. I really liked George Chuvalo's insight too, he's another fighter that I like more and more the more I read and see of him.

[Bill1234]

"Took advantage of an old man". Damnnnn straight.

Larry didn't want to fight him and eased up on Ali at many times during the fight. He asked for it to be stopped at various points.

[PetethePrince]

Foreman likes the odd swipe at Ali Ive noticed but he mixes it up with a lot of nice things he`s said too so it sounds OK (still not sure he`s 100% over Zaire:lol:)

Very true. He ranks Ali like #4 due to his post exile career showing he lacked defensive. That's kind of a lame excuse/reasoning for putting him that low on a HW list. However, at least he seems somewhat honest.

Ali won the 2nd Norton fight, close but clear, Norton won the 1st fight clear as day & Ive only seen about 9 rds of fight 3 but consensus says it was a Norton win, I accept that.

Yes, I agree with the majority. I think Norton won 2/3 of the fights... but so did Ali.

[Caponecartels]

Very true. He ranks Ali like #4 due to his post exile career showing he lacked defense. That's kind of a lame excuse/reasoning for putting him that low on a HW list. However, at least he seems somewhat honest.






That's hilarious coming from Big George.

[PetethePrince]

George Chuvalo is unreal man. The guy is in perfect shape..talks really fluently, and he took more punishment than any of them...even outside of the ring with losing half his family. Great guy. I liked Ron Lyle too. Big success story, coming out of prison and going on to achieve what he did. There was no controversy over the stoppage though, Lyle took about 30-35 punches without replying.

Chuvalo is the man. Lyle fight had tons of controversy. His trainer (Can't remember the name but he reminds me of Burgess Meredith) was hollering about it being a championship fight. Lyle was up on the cards. Only revonism lets us see it was a good stoppage. But stoppages in championship fights are a little different now than they were then. I mean today we get stoppages like Calzaghe vs Manfredo. So our mindset is a little different, but back then the result had some controversy.

[PetethePrince]

That's hilarious coming from Big George.

Yes, it's a bit ironic I guess. But George doesn't rank himself anywhere in the top 10 among HWs. So I guess it works out. At least it's consistent.

[Caponecartels]

Yes, it's a bit ironic I guess. But George doesn't rank himself anywhere in the top 10 among HWs. So I guess it works out. At least it's consistent.

I didn't finish the documentary,
who were his #1 and 2?

[Bill Butcher]

Very true. He ranks Ali like #4 due to his post exile career showing he lacked defensive. That's kind of a lame excuse/reasoning for putting him that low on a HW list. However, at least he seems somewhat honest

I seen George on a talk show a while back answering some e-mails that were coming thru... he didnt have a clue when asked who he thought was the best ever p4p fighter, someone suggested Sugar Ray Leonard & he said something like `aaahh, the sugar man, he was really fast, he could be right up there`... never even gave SRR a mention even after being fed the name Sugar Ray :-(

Someone then said that they rank Ali as the GOAT at HW & who does George think was the best & where does he rank Ali, GF said `Joe Louis, without a doubt, there isnt even a 2nd to Joe Louis`

Now, fair enough if he ranks Louis no1 but most have Ali & Louis 1 & 2 in any order & George is surely aware of this & he makes a point of putting a clear untouchable gap between Louis & `the rest` :lol:

Funny shit.

[PetethePrince]

I didn't finish the documentary,
who were his #1 and 2?

It's not in the documentary, it's on his website.

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[PetethePrince]

I seen George on a talk show a while back answering some e-mails that were coming thru... he didnt have a clue when asked who he thought was the best ever p4p fighter, someone suggested Sugar Ray Leonard & he said something like `aaahh, the sugar man, he was really fast, he could be right up there`... never even gave SRR a mention even after being fed the name Sugar Ray :-(

Someone then said that they rank Ali as the GOAT at HW & who does George think was the best & where does he rank Ali, GF said `Joe Louis, without a doubt, there isnt even a 2nd to Joe Louis`

Now, fair enough if he ranks Louis no1 but most have Ali & Louis 1 & 2 in any order & George is surely aware of this & he makes a point of putting a clear untouchable gap between Louis & `the rest` :lol:

Funny shit.


Haha, that's funny stuff. Well apparently George has stuck to his guns when ranking the best champions ever. He has SRL #1 and then SRR at #2.

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[TheUnstoppable]

At first it seemed like an ordinary Ali documentary. But I was wrong... it was great to see the insight of the other fighter's. It slows down a bit toward the end, mostly getting more boring due to the Shavers and Spinks parts, but all in all it's a great watch. So much was going on in it. I really appreciated and liked Chuvalo's part and insights. He seemed to be the most honest and insightful about events and things to me. The Frazier was also a great part. Frazier actually gets a little teary eyed, and shows the most compassion/sadness I've ever seen. He gets a little teary eyed when reflecting on what Ali did to him, and in part when referring to Ali's condition today. A lot of the guys seemed touched and saddened by that (Naturally).

It's a great watch, and makes you truly appreciate and feel almost humbled seeing Ali's career. What he endured, and what he represented (Especially to black America).

There's no thick message forced down you. The end and bits become a bit of a hero worship ceremony, but most of it is just the insight from the fighter and their thoughts. There is the good and bad from all sides. The documentary doesn't try to lean or point you in one way or another. Very interesting and great watch. You'll hear about what Norton did for Ali and how that fight changed his life. And how he visited Norton when he had a car wreck. And to Norton saying the "Broken Jaw thing was a lie. That happened only in the last round." To Ron Lyle having a dream about fighting Ali that happened to be very similar to their fight.

I would say, the documentary sometimes gets too into the personal life's of each fighter, but the background is nice. At parts, it's too much. It's really not JUST an Ali documentary, let alone an Ali film. The fighters share their story, too. It's more a documentary about the people who fought Ali and their view on his impact and how he was as a man and fighter. Great great stuff.... just go watch it.

Um, isn't that the whole point of the film?

[sitiyzal]

What a film! Such great characters. What do people make of Frazier's tears for Ali in this documentary in light of the recent Thrilla In Manila HBO documentary?

[PetethePrince]

What a film! Such great characters. What do people make of Frazier's tears for Ali in this documentary in light of the recent Thrilla In Manila HBO documentary?

Very interesting. I think sometimes it saddens Joe. I think what saddens him is how things went down. And he maybe he doesn't want to hate this man anymore. But in the end, he always have that core of strong negative feelings toward Ali.

That's my take anyway. Hopefully that was clear enough.

[PetethePrince]

Um, isn't that the whole point of the film?

Yes, I tend to ramble.

[Griffintown]

The "Facing Ali" documentary was released today. I just watched it and thought it was very good.

[he grant]

Watched it last night. An excellent production, very smart and well done. Added and selected so much footage very rarely seen. A terrific job ...

Chuvalo and Lyle were excellent. Holmes and Foreman were very good.

Terrell , Cooper and Shavers were very interesting.

Norton and Frazier were good even thought I've seen them many times doing this bit ..

Spinks, that he could talk and offer any rational or reflective thought, surprised me as well ... a real character ...

Interesting points ...

Chuvalo storming the ring in Maine getting in Ali's face after the Liston rematch ...

Many of the fighters freely admitting that everyone knew Liston dumped the second fight. Common, obvious knowledge. Not even a question.

Foreman saying he did not think Ali beat Norton one time. I agree. The second should have been a draw. The third was a terrible robbery.

Lyle commenting on how hard Shavers hit. Even harder than Foreman. Lyle should know. What's interesting and overlooked is that Shavers was a two handed puncher. The shot he dropped Lyle with was a murderous left hook. See the film. Brutal.

Lyle, Norton, Foreman and Chuvalo all praising Frazier as an amazing fighter. Wonder if they feel he could beat a Klit ? (LOL).

Very interesting piece ...

Note: Frazier looks very fraile ... I hope I'm wrong but he looks quite unhealthy ... he's only sixty-six but he looks eighty ..

[ChrisPontius]

Great documentary for sure. I was amazed at how sharp and articulate Chuvalo was, after 80 some pro fights, over a career of 22 years, fighting top contenders to the end and not having a great defence.

[he grant]

Truly amazing ... he is a unique physical specimen .... Shavers said it, he had never seen a fighter take the punishment Chuvalo did and remain looking and sounding terrific ..

[PetethePrince]

Watched it last night. An excellent production, very smart and well done. Added and selected so much footage very rarely seen. A terrific job ...

Chuvalo and Lyle were excellent. Holmes and Foreman were very good.

Terrell , Cooper and Shavers were very interesting.

Norton and Frazier were good even thought I've seen them many times doing this bit ..

Spinks, that he could talk and offer any rational or reflective thought, surprised me as well ... a real character ...

Interesting points ...

Chuvalo storming the ring in Maine getting in Ali's face after the Liston rematch ...

Many of the fighters freely admitting that everyone knew Liston dumped the second fight. Common, obvious knowledge. Not even a question.

Foreman saying he did not think Ali beat Norton one time. I agree. The second should have been a draw. The third was a terrible robbery.

Lyle commenting on how hard Shavers hit. Even harder than Foreman. Lyle should know. What's interesting and overlooked is that Shavers was a two handed puncher. The shot he dropped Lyle with was a murderous left hook. See the film. Brutal.

Lyle, Norton, Foreman and Chuvalo all praising Frazier as an amazing fighter. Wonder if they feel he could beat a Klit ? (LOL).

Very interesting piece ...

Note: Frazier looks very fraile ... I hope I'm wrong but he looks quite unhealthy ... he's only sixty-six but he looks eighty ..

Frazier didn't look that bad, but the wars have obviously taken a toll. If you saw the Thriller doc you saw he needed a caine to walk and such. Chuvalo looks amazing for his age, and for any boxer.

[he grant]

How much worse could Frazier look ? He is bone thin, shrunken, fraile, suffering from diabetes, needs a walker, has severe high blood pressure , his face looks skeletal compred from just a few year ago. He looks considerably worse than the thrilla doc from a few years ago. I bet he doesn't weigh 180 pounds.

[PetethePrince]

How much worse could Frazier look ? He is bone thin, shrunken, fraile, suffering from diabetes, needs a walker, has severe high blood pressure , his face looks skeletal compred from just a few year ago. He looks considerably worse than the thrilla doc from a few years ago. I bet he doesn't weigh 180 pounds.

Well... he looks better than Ali. As he says, "I can talk and walk." I don't really think he looks that much worse from the Thriller Documentary. It's just his hair isn't dyed.

Chuvalo is like a man of steel or something. He had a career in boxing and came unscathed. Looks in awesome shape for a guy over 70. He's just a fitness freak obviously.

[guilalah]

Sad Jimmy Young wasn't around to contribute. RIP


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[Bioyhh]

Truly amazing ... he is a unique physical specimen .... Shavers said it, he had never seen a fighter take the punishment Chuvalo did and remain looking and sounding terrific ..

Henry Cooper looks and speaks just as well, and he's three years older. It's fascinating to see how these warriors were affected by their years in the ring.

[Doc McCoy]

Agree with just about everything that's been said. Chuvalo was great. . . . as usual. Ron Lyle was a revelation though. Really articulate & intelligent guy. Class act.

Thought less of Terrell who seemed a bit bitter & Cooper banging on about his Queen bullshit.

Excellent production - highly recommend it.

[Stevie G]

At first it seemed like an ordinary Ali documentary. But I was wrong... it was great to see the insight of the other fighter's. It slows down a bit toward the end, mostly getting more boring due to the Shavers and Spinks parts, but all in all it's a great watch. So much was going on in it. I really appreciated and liked Chuvalo's part and insights. He seemed to be the most honest and insightful about events and things to me. The Frazier was also a great part. Frazier actually gets a little teary eyed, and shows the most compassion/sadness I've ever seen. He gets a little teary eyed when reflecting on what Ali did to him, and in part when referring to Ali's condition today. A lot of the guys seemed touched and saddened by that (Naturally).

It's a great watch, and makes you truly appreciate and feel almost humbled seeing Ali's career. What he endured, and what he represented (Especially to black America).

There's no thick message forced down you. The end and bits become a bit of a hero worship ceremony, but most of it is just the insight from the fighter and their thoughts. There is the good and bad from all sides. The documentary doesn't try to lean or point you in one way or another. Very interesting and great watch. You'll hear about what Norton did for Ali and how that fight changed his life. And how he visited Norton when he had a car wreck. And to Norton saying the "Broken Jaw thing was a lie. That happened only in the last round." To Ron Lyle having a dream about fighting Ali that happened to be very similar to their fight.

I would say, the documentary sometimes gets too into the personal life's of each fighter, but the background is nice. At parts, it's too much. It's really not JUST an Ali documentary, let alone an Ali film. The fighters share their story, too. It's more a documentary about the people who fought Ali and their view on his impact and how he was as a man and fighter. Great great stuff.... just go watch it.
Yet another fine documentary on The Greatest. Wo n't tell us purists much what we do n't know,but would be useful for a casual Ali fan who wants to know more about him.

[MrSmall]

It's GREAT!

[techks]

It comes on Spike this Monday. I'm going to watch it to see if it's really as good as y'all make it out to be.

[Boxingnut5]

This is now being sold on Amazon for £14 as a Region 2 release by a Dutch company. It has a little Dutch writing on the case and there are Dutch subtitles but these can be turned off. The rest of it is all in English. It is region 2 so it will play on UK and European DVD players.

[thejokerswild]

GREAT documentary. Excellent accounts from the pros themselves, have nothing but respect for Chuvalo.