THE GREATEST

Muhammad Ali passed away last night and the world lost an icon. The truth about Ali is that he was a figure that transcended his sport. Ali stood up against what he perceived to be an unnecessary war. Ali did not hold back when talking about his beliefs in terms of religion and race relations. Some may have considered him an incendiary individual and some a true revolutionary but everyone spoke his name. Ali was one of Boxing's greatest fighters, his courage and grace were second to none. The battles with Joe Frazer and Ken Norton were part of boxing's Champagne era, the one where 15 rounders and near death experiences where common. Yes Ali was a courageous man, like many others he went one round too far. The thing about Ali is that even after he was no longer the great warrior he had once been, he could still incite a crowd and elicit inspiration. Ali's battle with Parkinson's hindered his speech and motor skills but they never hindered his resolve. Yes the GOAT is no longer here, but the legacy he left behind will never be erased. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see. 

KLITSCHKO: SAFETY FIRST, EXCITEMENT LAST

I like Wladimir Klitschko, I think he is a gentleman and his conduct outside of the ring and focus inside of it is what has allowed him to compile a 22-2 championship record along with a reign that's second only to Joe Lewis' in terms of length. Now let's look at some factors behind everyone's shunning of Klitschko as a champion. The heavyweight division has brought forth classic feuds between fighters like Holyfield and Bowe, Ali and Frazier, and so on. Today fighters in the heavyweight division show up to either get beat or get paid. Klitchko is an intelligent man that knows how to use his advantages in a manner that's safe, smart, and effective.

Klitschko is a superb athlete whose sensational physical condition along with his methodical approach are enough to beat guys into frustration. People call Klitschko a safety first, boring fighter with little regard for excitement and an inability to give fans their money's worth. First of all Klitschko was not always a methodical fighter, in fact Klitschko use to throw as many as 70 punches every round. While Klitschko was put in front of guys like Jameel Mccline it was not a problem for him to plow opposition down with his style. Klitschko was a heavily touted guy until he ran into the late Corrie Sanders and wore himself out against Lamon Brewster. From that point on Klitschko began fighting as a tall guy using his advantages and relying on a laser like jab along with occasional power shots in order to beat guys over the long run.

Fans in the US see Klitschko as a robotic fighter that just likes to maul guys until they either quit, fall over, or just survive enough to lose. The thing about Klitschko is this, he has not been put in a position where he needed to fight back. No one fighter since the once highly touted Sam Peter has made Klitschko fight or at least really attempt to hold on. In his latest fight Klitschko seemed to just act as if he were spending another day in the office. Klitschko used his height an weight to take Alexander Povetkin's legs out and toss him around like a rag doll. Klitschko won ugly but he won never the less.

Klitschko will not be appreciated for winning over guys without real focus. Klitschko is shunned because in part he has no real opposition. There are no great heavyweights coming out of the US and overseas guys play into the Klitschko game plan by fighting too upright and leaving themselves open to continuing one two shots that eventually take their toll. Until Klitschko finds someone that really tests him, he will continue to fight safe, smart, and boring. It may be a losing performance that makes Wladimir more appreciated or it may be his continued winning ways that may bring him some respect in the end. Until one of those things happens, it's livestream online broadcast that will carry Wlad until the end of his reign.

THE WORM DOES NORTH KOREA

Dennis Rodman's visit to North Korea has sparked some serious moral outrage given his defense of Kim Jong Un whom he now refers to as a "friend." Everyone in the media has attacked Rodman because he has chosen to label the injustices in North Korea as simply "politics" that he does not agree with. I think that this whole situation should be put into some real perspective. 

No one in the media seems to understand that this is Dennis Rodman. Dennis Rodman does not have the relevance of a Muhammad Ali or anyone else that has chosen to use merit and stature as a means to engage in diplomacy and goodwill. Does anyone remember the wedding dress? Does anyone remember "Bad as I Wannabe"? Yes Rodman was a huge star with five championship rings but we are not talking about a Michael Jordan or someone whose achievements stand out as almost singular. I like Rodman and I think his personality made him unique on the court but his actions outside the court in a global aspect do not really call my attention. 

The media understandably feels a need to chastise Rodman because he seems to be employing a tremendous lack of depth. I wonder if the media understands that Rodman is not a Rhodes Scholar. Rodman went to North Korea to have a good time and not to engage in shuttle diplomacy. I am certain that the North Korean government did not take the visit from Rodman as a sign of US approval for their policy on human rights or nuclear arms. 

The media needs to really chill out before continuing to make this story something so relevant that we end up looking like a country that takes the opinions of a washed up sports ex athlete as if they were policy gold.