The heavyweight champion was booed so often during his ultimately successful defense of his world title. Ali was only playing at boxing during the first nine rounds, and the crowd did not like it. Boxing fans like their world heavyweight champions to fight, not play patty-cake or stand against the ropes and play peek-a-boo.
What kind of champion was Ali last night? “Tonight he was a bad one,” said Shavers after the bout. “If I were champion, I would never fight like that, holding all the time.” In the eight round, in which the boos were the loudest, the champion yelled back at the crowd. When the boos persisted, he started booing himself.
Shavers stung the champion several times with right hands – “in the second, ninth, tenth and last rounds,” said the champion. “But by the power of Allah, I won.”
The champion did not sound like a very religious man during most of the fight. “He kept calling me ‘nigger,’” said Shavers, “kept saying, ‘Nigger, I’m going to get you.’” After a while, said Shavers, “I called him a nigger too.”
“I’m almost as tired as I was in Manila. And you all know I talk a lot, burn a lot of energy. I’ve been walking the streets of Harlem, campaigning, shaking hands.”
Ali said he had taken some punches “that would knock anyone out.”
“And me, I’m 35 years old.” “It’s magnificent,” said Angelo Dundee. “The way that man can suck it up.”
NYT Katz 9/30/77
Friday, September 30, 1977
Ali Retains Title By Winning Unanimous Decision From Shavers
Shavers, whose stamina had been questioned, and Ali rewarded the 14,600 spectators at the Garden and the TV viewers with a memorable final round. At the bell both fighters were wobbling and staggering from the assaults upon each other.
But by then, Ali had assured himself the victory unless Shavers could have registered a knockout. Shaver’s corner said the decision was another “Norton deal,” alluding to Ali’s controversial decision over Ken Norton last year.
Ali, of course, as never been knocked out in his 55-2 won-loss record.
Ali did not appear in the Felt Forum interview area until about an hour after the fight ended, explaining, “I’m tired, almost as tired as I was in Manila,” an allusion to his 14-round epic knockout of Joe Frazier two years ago.
ex NYT Anderson 9/30/77
But by then, Ali had assured himself the victory unless Shavers could have registered a knockout. Shaver’s corner said the decision was another “Norton deal,” alluding to Ali’s controversial decision over Ken Norton last year.
Ali, of course, as never been knocked out in his 55-2 won-loss record.
Ali did not appear in the Felt Forum interview area until about an hour after the fight ended, explaining, “I’m tired, almost as tired as I was in Manila,” an allusion to his 14-round epic knockout of Joe Frazier two years ago.
ex NYT Anderson 9/30/77
Rape Suspect’s Bail Will Not Increase – 19 Year Old Accused of Attacking Jogger in Park Remains Free
A State Supreme Court justice in Manhattan yesterday refused to increase the amount of bail for a man who was indicted on Monday on charges he assaulted, raped and sodomized one woman at knifepoint and attempted to rape another.
The suspect was released on Tuesday after posting $2,500 bail.
19-year-old Dean Mack was apprehended by the police on September 22 in Central Park where both of his alleged victims had been jogging. He was in possession of a knife when apprehended and identified by both victims. The woman he attempted to rape is an assistant district attorney in Manhattan. She escaped by telling Mack she was a police officer.
Robert Morgenthau personally appeared at the second bail hearing seeking $25,000 bail, but the Criminal Court judge set it at $10,000 bond or $2500 cash.
Excerpt from NYT 9/30/77
The suspect was released on Tuesday after posting $2,500 bail.
19-year-old Dean Mack was apprehended by the police on September 22 in Central Park where both of his alleged victims had been jogging. He was in possession of a knife when apprehended and identified by both victims. The woman he attempted to rape is an assistant district attorney in Manhattan. She escaped by telling Mack she was a police officer.
Robert Morgenthau personally appeared at the second bail hearing seeking $25,000 bail, but the Criminal Court judge set it at $10,000 bond or $2500 cash.
Excerpt from NYT 9/30/77
Thursday, September 29, 1977
Fight Crowd Answers Bell Despite Television
“Why?” some of the spenders were asked as they filed into the Garden or lined up at a ticket window outside. Why would someone pay from $20 to $100 or more to see something they could have watched at home for free?
“Because I’m one of these idiots,” answered Ronald Clare, a Manhattan attorney who grew up in Harlem. “I want the smoke, the noise, the inconvenience, the traffic jams. Everything. A $30 bite for the ticket, $10 for dinner, $5 for parking – and probably a fight with my wife when I get home –she doesn’t like boxing.”
If any of the customers thought they had been short-changed, they got their money’s worth with dollars to spare in the last three tumultuous rounds.
“It’s the magnetism of Ali,” said Llewellyn Clark who bought a $20 ticket that would put him in the upper reaches of the Garden near the rafters. “People want to see Ali in person, see what he looks like. It’s not the same as watching on TV.”
Ali’s Bravado Is Back For Fight Tonight Steve Cady 9/29/77
“He’s the house slave, that Uncle Tom they put against the other slave. I’m the bold slave, the rebel slave.”
This will be the first heavyweight title bout at MSG since March 8, 1971, when Ali lost a 15-round decision to Joe Frazier in a championship meeting billed as “The Fight.” Ali was in the role of challenger at the time. He has never been defeated in a title defense during his two championship reigns.
NYT Cady 9/29/77
“Because I’m one of these idiots,” answered Ronald Clare, a Manhattan attorney who grew up in Harlem. “I want the smoke, the noise, the inconvenience, the traffic jams. Everything. A $30 bite for the ticket, $10 for dinner, $5 for parking – and probably a fight with my wife when I get home –she doesn’t like boxing.”
If any of the customers thought they had been short-changed, they got their money’s worth with dollars to spare in the last three tumultuous rounds.
“It’s the magnetism of Ali,” said Llewellyn Clark who bought a $20 ticket that would put him in the upper reaches of the Garden near the rafters. “People want to see Ali in person, see what he looks like. It’s not the same as watching on TV.”
Ali’s Bravado Is Back For Fight Tonight Steve Cady 9/29/77
“He’s the house slave, that Uncle Tom they put against the other slave. I’m the bold slave, the rebel slave.”
This will be the first heavyweight title bout at MSG since March 8, 1971, when Ali lost a 15-round decision to Joe Frazier in a championship meeting billed as “The Fight.” Ali was in the role of challenger at the time. He has never been defeated in a title defense during his two championship reigns.
NYT Cady 9/29/77
Police Explain Failure to Find Body
The police said yesterday that they did not find the body of the missing diamond broker late Monday when they visited the office where it was later discovered because they had not been looking for a body. There was no reason at that time to make a complete search and there were no legal grounds for a complete search,” said Keenan. He said he was satisfied that the detectives had performed their duties properly.
A police spokesman said detectives had gone to the office, at 15 West 47th Street, with Mrs. Tal and her attorney, at their request, after Mrs. Tal reported her husband missing. Once there they dusted for fingerprints because a broken door window made them think there might have been a burglary.
“There was nothing extraordinary about the box,” said police spokesman adding that the plastic in which the body was wrapped had presumably kept any odor from escaping.
But chiefly, the police said, they were looking for Mr. Tal, thinking he might have met with foul play or had collapsed. The detectives remained at the site for hours.
excerpt from NYT 9/29/77
A police spokesman said detectives had gone to the office, at 15 West 47th Street, with Mrs. Tal and her attorney, at their request, after Mrs. Tal reported her husband missing. Once there they dusted for fingerprints because a broken door window made them think there might have been a burglary.
“There was nothing extraordinary about the box,” said police spokesman adding that the plastic in which the body was wrapped had presumably kept any odor from escaping.
But chiefly, the police said, they were looking for Mr. Tal, thinking he might have met with foul play or had collapsed. The detectives remained at the site for hours.
excerpt from NYT 9/29/77
Body of Diamond Broker Found As Missing Gem Cutter Turns Up
The body of a 25-year-old diamond broker who vanished last week with up to $1 million in gems was found yesterday, his head smashed by blows from a wooden plank. The body was bound as stuffed inside a small box in the office of a diamond cutter on West 47th Street. There was no trace of the gems he had been carrying in a wallet. The police were led to the body of Pinchos Jaroslawicz by the diamond cutter, 31-year-old Shlomo Tal, himself the object of a police search since his wife reported him missing on Monday. The police found him sleeping in his wife’s car in Queens. The diamond cutter claimed that the murder was committed by two masked men who struck Mr. J on the head and by whom he himself was abducted and robbed several days later. Mr. J died of head injuries and asphyxiation after a plastic bag was put over his head.
Mr. Tal said he kept silent about his associates murder and had concealed the body in a box under a workbench out of fear that the murderers might harm his own family. “We are certainly not accepting his story or any story at face value.” Keenan Chief of Detectives
One of the points the police found puzzling is why the attackers left him unharmed after driving him around in his own car for three days.
The body was found stuffed into a wooden air conditioner box about 2 x 2 x 3. Mr. J was still alive, but unconscious when the bag was placed over his head.
Mr. Tal told police that his abductors had taken $180 from him, but had overlooked $30,000 in gems that he had hidden under the driver’s seat. He told numerous conflicting stories about the events that transpired.
excerpt from Leonard Buder NYT 9/29/77
Mr. Tal said he kept silent about his associates murder and had concealed the body in a box under a workbench out of fear that the murderers might harm his own family. “We are certainly not accepting his story or any story at face value.” Keenan Chief of Detectives
One of the points the police found puzzling is why the attackers left him unharmed after driving him around in his own car for three days.
The body was found stuffed into a wooden air conditioner box about 2 x 2 x 3. Mr. J was still alive, but unconscious when the bag was placed over his head.
Mr. Tal told police that his abductors had taken $180 from him, but had overlooked $30,000 in gems that he had hidden under the driver’s seat. He told numerous conflicting stories about the events that transpired.
excerpt from Leonard Buder NYT 9/29/77
Wednesday, September 28, 1977
Bernard King Wipes the Slate Clean
He is hundreds of miles from Knoxville, the scene of the crimes, but he still flinches whenever a patrol car cruises by, and he still worries whenever he sees a cop. Force of habit. The word is “paranoia.” Bernard King is familiar with its meaning. “I’m thinking inside that they know me, that they’re looking for me, even though I know they’re not,” he says, flashing a nervous grin.
An All-American in each of his three seasons at Tennessee, he also led the SEC in arrests. He was arrested for four traffic offenses, twice for possession of marijuana and once each for burglary, prowling and resisting arrest. Most of the charges were dropped for insufficient evidence or technical incompetence (of the rest of the team?)
Just 20 years old, the Brooklyn native Bernard King, the 7th overall pick by the New York Nets, has an image problem; the problem is his image. “I’ve been operating under the premise that my pro career with the Nets in the NBA was down the drain.” A Nets official said, “we’re taking a helluva chance on him.”
It’s tempting to say that such losers as the Nets and King deserve each other. The Nets have worked overtime to make themselves the worst team in pro basketball. They traded Billy Paultz, Larry Kenon, Brian Taylor, John Williamson and Tiny Archibald for a collective bucket of porridge, to say nothing of their give away of Dr. J. The Nets met with King twice before the draft and even had a former FBI agent check him out and make a character evaluation. Only after the Nets were satisfied that King was “good people” did they draft him 7th overall. Imagine how they felt just five weeks later when King was arrested for burglary, prowling, possession of marijuana and resisting arrest. “Good God, we were sick.”
Everyone in camp seems to love him.
NYT Kornheiser 9/28/77
An All-American in each of his three seasons at Tennessee, he also led the SEC in arrests. He was arrested for four traffic offenses, twice for possession of marijuana and once each for burglary, prowling and resisting arrest. Most of the charges were dropped for insufficient evidence or technical incompetence (of the rest of the team?)
Just 20 years old, the Brooklyn native Bernard King, the 7th overall pick by the New York Nets, has an image problem; the problem is his image. “I’ve been operating under the premise that my pro career with the Nets in the NBA was down the drain.” A Nets official said, “we’re taking a helluva chance on him.”
It’s tempting to say that such losers as the Nets and King deserve each other. The Nets have worked overtime to make themselves the worst team in pro basketball. They traded Billy Paultz, Larry Kenon, Brian Taylor, John Williamson and Tiny Archibald for a collective bucket of porridge, to say nothing of their give away of Dr. J. The Nets met with King twice before the draft and even had a former FBI agent check him out and make a character evaluation. Only after the Nets were satisfied that King was “good people” did they draft him 7th overall. Imagine how they felt just five weeks later when King was arrested for burglary, prowling, possession of marijuana and resisting arrest. “Good God, we were sick.”
Everyone in camp seems to love him.
NYT Kornheiser 9/28/77
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