“Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up” is a quotation that has been attributed to American boxer Muhammad Ali (1942-2016). The quoation has been cited in print since at least 2002, but it’s uncertain when (or if) Ali said it.
Wikipedia: Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali (/ɑːˈliː/; born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer, generally considered one of the greatest heavyweights in the history of the sport. Early in his career, Ali was known for being a controversial and polarizing figure both inside and outside the boxing ring. He was one of the most recognized sports figures of the past 100 years, crowned “Sportsman of the Century” by Sports Illustrated and “Sports Personality of the Century” by the BBC.
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MUHAMMED ALI IN HIS OWN WORDS
Brian Sunderland
1/17/02
(...)
21 BOXING is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up.
GOogle Books
A Rough Guide to Muhammad Ali
By Ann Oliver and Paul Simpson
London: Rough Guides
2004
Pg. 230:
“Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up.”
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OT quote May 20 - Muhammad Ali
Chip
5/20/04
“Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up.”
-Muhammad Ali
Google Books
The 2,320 Funniest Quotes:
The Most Hilarious Quips and One-Liners from AllGreatQuotes.com
By Tom Corr
Berkeley, CA: Ulysses Press
2011
Pg. 375:
Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up.
—Muhammad Ali
Google Books
100 Entertainers Who Changed America:
An Encyclopedia of Pop Culture Luminaries
Edited by Robert C. Sickels
Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CIO, LLC
2013
Pg. 3:
Ali was keenly aware of the paradox of his career and noted that “boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up.”
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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