In 1971 Ali and Frazier met for their first heavyweight contest. It was Ali’s first return to the ring after having been stripped of his heavy weight title in 1967 for refusing induction into the Army.
I woke up this morning thinking about the 1971 fight between Ali and Frazier as a metaphor for the fight between the Democrats and the Republicans for the heart and soul of America. Undoubtedly this will seem like a strange comparison for some but bear with me.
In 1971 Ali was desperate to reclaim the title that he believed had been unjustly stripped from him. He was full of bluster and believed he would make easy work of defeating Joe Frazier. Conversely Frazier was a workhorse not a show horse. He felt he had to beat Ali to gain the respect and admiration of the people that had long eluded him.
For 4 years Ali had dreamed of regaining his title. He ignored the fact that four years had taken a toll on his skills. He believed that what had made him a champion against his prior opponents would be enough to make him a champion again. He went so far as to predict that he would end the fight in the sixth round. He telegraphed his fight strategy to his opponent. The Democrats have telegraphed their fight strategy to the Republicans. The Democrats agenda as been stymied because they gave the Republicans their fight plan. The January 6th commision is doing the same thing by announcing that Subpoenas are forthcoming. Don’t talk about it, be about it.
Frazier went into the fight with an all or nothing attitude. He was going to fight his fight and not let Ali when the battle by getting into his head. McConnell is fighting Fraziers fight. All or nothing no holds bared.
The sixth round of the fight came and went and Ali failed to put the fight away. For the Democrats police reform is dead on arrival. Infrastructure and a new civil rights bill are on life support and not looking good.
Frazier just keeps coming. The Republicans just keep coming. Giving no ground, taking everything the Democrats have to give according to the Marquis of Queensbury rules.
Ali as let the fight go on to long. At the end of the 14th round his corner tells him that the only way for him to win is to knock Frazier out. As the bell for the 15th round sounds the two opponents meet in the center of the ring. Both men have a look of steely determination. It’s September of 2021 the Republicans have managed to play keep away on the Democratic agenda for 8 months. For the Democrat’s It’s now do or die.
Ali throws caution to the rain and Frazier catches him with a left uppercut that puts him on the canvass. The fight is over and Frazier retains the heavyweight title. Both men are hurt. Both parties are blooded but the Republicans win the day.
A prize fight as metaphor for the battle between Democrat’s and Republicans. The lesson is simple, don’t talk about it be about it.
Think!!
Eyes Wide 👀 👁 Open!!!