THE Joe Lewis is a respected name in boxing history. The American boxer fought for almost 20 years, and is considered one of the most important boxers, especially of the older generation (1937 – 1949). THE Mohammed Ali became the boxing superstar of the next generation, and as a result, the two maintained a very good relationship, harboring feelings of mutual respect.

In 1966, both Ali and Louis appeared on a talk show where they engaged in banter. The reporter asked Ali why he looked annoyed, and Ali jokingly said that he didn’t think Louis was better than him.

“- Why do you look so sad champion?

“- I’m surprised, I’m really offended. What you just said is not correct, the ‘greatest heavyweight champion’ (Lewis) I’m a native of your city and you’re talking about Lewis. Lewis would be nothing to me.”

Ali then asked Lewis the same question: “Joe I’ll tell you…Joe, you think that will you have a hope with me?’ Lewis, who was usually tight-lipped, gave a rather fitting response to Ali. He said: “Well, Clay (Cassius Clay was Ali’s name before he converted to Islam) at the time I was in my career, I was doing the tour.’ the bum of the month”.

There was no way Ali wasn’t going to… pick up the gauntlet. Asked: “Bum of the month? Would I be a bum compared to you?’

“- Hey, you’d be on the tour,” Louis replied mockingly, and with that rant…knocked out the lascivious Ali began to laugh as he had nothing else to say…