Wilt Chamberlain, a legendary name in NBA history. He did almost everything he wanted to do on the basketball court, creating a legendary myth. Chamberlain is a monster on the NBA court, and even when he wasn't playing basketball, he excelled in athletics as a college athlete.
There are many stories about Chamberlain, and one of the incredibly small stories is his connection to another great figure in the history of the movement, Muhammad Ali. If Chamberlain had chosen to play a boxing match with Muhammad Ali, the result would have been unimaginable and would have filled basketball fans and boxing fans alike with reverie.
The two of them actually almost got into a fight twice, and the one in 1971 was more likely. Recently, as writer Thomas Hauser recorded in his book Muhammad Ali: His Life and Era: In 1971, Wilt Chamberlain wanted to challenge Muhammad Ali's heavyweight champion in boxing. The tournament could be played at the legendary Madison Square Garden Arena. ABC wanted to arrange a special sports show at the time, and Ali and Chamberlain appeared together to announce that they would have a boxing match.
Jim Brown is supposed to be the promoter and has managed to raise enough match deposit to lure the two of them into contract negotiations. After several failed negotiations, Ali accepted Chamberlain's challenge because he was offered a term on his contract to make more money than he did in ordinary boxing matches, and he and his family refused to enlist during the U.S.-Vietnam War, desperately needing large sums of money after three years in exile.
Chamberlain was 35 years old at the time, and he was ready to retire from the NBA after 13 seasons in the NBA and set more than 70 personal records, he was 2.16 meters tall and weighed 130 kilograms; in 1971, Ali was 29 years old, 1.91 meters tall and weighed 100 kilograms.
There are many theories about the follow-up and why boxing matches were not played. Chamberlain's lawyer is said to have advised him not to participate in the boxing match because Chamberlain earns less money after the game tax, so the risk is not worth it, not to mention the possibility of not being able to participate in a normal NBA game because of this boxing match.
People familiar with the matter revealed that it was just an excuse for Chamberlain, and after Ali accepted the challenge, Ali began shouting at Chamberlain, and the NBA legend was said to be scared, leading to the cancellation of the boxing match.
Bob Arum, who was present, reported that Ali was waiting on the day of the press conference announcing the boxing match. Arum said that when Chamberlain walked in, Ali shouted at him, "Hey, big sandbag! Chamberlain, all pale, went into the next room with his lawyer, and when he came out he said he didn't want a fight anymore. Bob Arum thought Ali had scared him. It was probably because of this that Chamberlain realized that boxing with Ali was a completely ridiculous idea.
Chamberlain himself later gave a different explanation, saying his father was responsible for the cancellation. In a later interview, Chamberlain said: "My father was an avid boxing fan, I said, 'Dad, I've had a few days off, I'm going to go to Houston to sign a boxing match with Ali, but my father told me that you boxing with him is a wrong choice, even if you compare free throws with him, you shouldn't fight with him (Ali).'" ”
Chamberlain continued: "I looked at my dad and said; well, Dad, you're probably right. Subsequently, at the time of signing the contract, Chamberlain withdrew from the game.
As the most influential giants in basketball and boxing at the time, we never know what would have happened if the two giants clashed in the ring, although most people knew how the result of this boxing should have been. For whatever reason, we don't have a chance to see Chamberlain challenge world heavyweight champion Ali. Although it is a pity, it also gives people room for reverie.
But then again, Chamberlain's father does know his children well, and Chamberlain has also set NBA records such as 50 points per game in a single season and 100 points per game that are difficult for posterity to match. However, as strong as Chamberlain also has his own weakness, that is, free throws. As we all know, Chamberlain's shooting has always been his weak ring, and Chamberlain's career free throw shooting rate is only 51.1%.
(Luo Treasurer)