Letter: Ali not a great patriot

Ron@vegas.com

Friday, Dec. 17, 1999 | 2:15 a.m.

In 1980, I mentioned having recently seen a Muhammad Ali fight to a woman I had just met in Las Vegas. She answered "I have no use for that draft-dodging coward. He brags about how strong he is, but can't serve his country. My son died in that war after having to defer his plans to go to medical school."

That about sums up my views.

From a long list of great athletes, Ali has to be near the bottom. While I aver that the sport of boxing is my favorite, as it requires both courage in the ring and extreme dedication during training, the business of boxing is and has been corrupt. From the day of Sonny Liston's "dive," I have always suspected promotion of Ali as more show business than sport.

Why is it necessary to glorify people and news that represent the worst elements of society? Why in God's name not Joe Louis? He was a great athlete and patriot? Or Tiger Woods? Or Willie Shoemaker?

-- LORRIN PETERSON

The Las Vegas Sun welcomes letters to the sports editor. They should be no more than 250 words and may be shortened by the editor. All letters, faxes and e-mail must include the writer's name, address and telephone number.

Mail letters to: Letters to the Sports Editor, Las Vegas Sun, P.O. Box 4275, Las Vegas, NV 89127. Fax: 383-7264. E-mail: Ron@vegas.com