‘The Greatest’ looking forward to second biographical film

Wednesday, March 8, 2000 | 11:25 a.m.

Few people have had their lives memorialized in a major motion picture, yet it seems appropriate that the man who long called himself "the greatest" would have two films commemorating his accomplishments.

Three-time world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali was in Las Vegas today attending the ShoWest convention, where it was announced that the film "Ali" will be made this year.

It also was announced today that Will Smith, star of the blockbuster films "Men in Black" and "Independence Day," would portray Ali and that Michael Mann, nominated for best director and best screenplay Academy Awards for the "The Insider," will direct "Ali."

The 1977 movie "The Greatest," told Ali's life story from his winning the 1960 Olympic light heavyweight gold medal to his stunning 1974 victory over then-world champion George Foreman via an eighth-round knockout in Zaire. The new biographical film is expected to go well beyond that.

"Because of the people involved, this (movie) will be 10 times better (than "The Greatest)," Ali, 58, told the Sun in an exclusive interview Tuesday in his villa suite at the Mirage.

Ali, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and rarely gives interviews, spoke with slurred speech, and his once lightening-quick movements were slowed by his ailment. But his mind remains sharp.

Asked if it seemed like nearly a quarter of a century had passed since "The Greatest" was filmed, Ali said, "it seems more like just two years."

But a lot has happened since the first movie. After the Foreman fight, Ali lost the title, won it back and tried to win it a fourth time on Oct. 2, 1980, at Caesars Palace against former sparring partner and champ Larry Holmes.

Ali lost that fight and the next year suffered a decision loss to Trevor Berbick, ending one of the most heralded sports careers. Last year, Ali was named "Athlete of the Century," an honor he said, "left me in awe. It humbled me."

Bernie Yuman, Ali's manager, said "Ali" is expected to be released by Sony Studios in the summer of 2001.

"Muhammad Ali was bigger than boxing," said Yuman, a longtime Las Vegan. "He was an icon of the 20th century who will be remembered as much for his contribution to American culture as he will be for his athletic skills.

"This movie is important because we are talking about a man who has had incredible global impact. He is the most readily recognized man on the planet."

Yuman said "Ali" will be more than just a boxing movie. Its vision, he said, is to show Ali's total life -- a role Yuman says will indeed be a challenge for 31-year-old Smith.

Ali said his favorite Smith movie was the 1998 film "Enemy of the State." Ali said he also enjoyed Smith's work in last year's "Wild Wild West" and in his television sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

Ali declined to say who he would like to see cast in the movie as boxing manager Angelo Dundee, three-time opponent Joe Frazier or others, saying he prefers to leave decisions like that to the filmmakers.

Ali, who portrayed himself in "The Greatest," said he does not plan to make a cameo appearance in the new film. Ali, however, will be a consultant on the movie, said Howard Bingham, longtime Ali confidant and the film's executive producer.

And Ali, a devout Muslim, said the film "cannot be anything but" a clean movie that the whole family can go to see.

Although Ali no longer floats like a butterfly, he still can sting like a bee with his wit and sense of humor. In answer to the question: "Will the film reveal anything about you the public does not already know?" Ali, with a deadpan expression, mused: "I'm ..."

Asked if he had any regrets, Ali said: "No. If I did, I would have no way to change them. Some of the bad things I did turned out well. Some of the bad things I said turned out to be true."

Although he angered many Americans who had fought in World War II and Korea by calling the Vietnam War immoral, Ali won over a large number of people in the mid-1960s who started to believe the United States had no business in Southeast Asia.

In 1967, Ali, citing his religious beliefs, refused to be inducted into the Army. He was arrested, his boxing license was suspended, and he was stripped of his world title. Ali was inactive from March 1967 to October 1970 -- the prime of his career.

"Ali opposed the war in Vietnam, but he didn't run away to Canada," Yuman said. "He stayed and stood up for his principles and was willing to go to prison. He gave up millions of dollars in earnings for his beliefs. How many people do you know would do that?"

Married four times, Ali has nine children. One of his daughters. Laila Ali, recently became a professional pugilist.

"I had rather she did not," Ali said. "But when children make choices you have to support them."

Born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Ky., Ali changed his name to reflect his beliefs in the Islamic faith after beating Sonny Liston in 1964 and winning the title for the first time.

In all, Ali fought 61 professional bouts, losing just five of them. Every man who beat Ali either held or would go on to hold a version of the world heavyweight title. Ali won 37 of his fights by knockout.

Described by his fans as charismatic and his foes as arrogant, Ali had throngs of followers who cheered him to victory and legions of critics who bought tickets to his fights on the slim hope they would see him lose.

Early in his career, Ali started making up short rhymes to predict which round he would knock out his opponents -- poetry that became his trademark. Often, predictions like "I'll knock out Archie Moore in four" came true. In 1962, Ali knocked Moore to the canvas three times and won in the fourth round.

Known and feared by opponents for his swift hand speed and ability to slip punches thrown at close range, many experts believe Ali had the best jab and best reflexes in boxing.

He had three memorable fights with Frazier and Ken Norton, losing to each in their first meetings but winning the next two bouts.

After beating Foreman, Ali successfully defended the title until he suffered an upset decision loss to Olympic gold medalist Leon Spinks on Feb. 15, 1978, in Las Vegas. Six months later, in New Orleans, Ali decisioned Spinks to regain the crown and a year later he retired without having defended the belt.

Seeking one last shot at glory, Ali, at age 38, fought Holmes in what would be the only knockout loss of his career. In retirement, Ali has continued his acting career, has made personal appearances and has served as a goodwill ambassador.

Ed Koch is a reporter for the Sun. He can be reached at (702) 259-4090 or by e-mail at koch@lasvegassun.com.

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