Mar. 23, 1964 - The New York State Athletic Commission, in opposition to a move underway in the World Boxing Association, said today it would continue to recognize Cassius Clay (pictured today in Harlem) — or Muhammad Ali, the Black Muslim name which he prefers to be called — as the heavyweight champion.
Ed Lassman, president of the WBA, said in Miami yesterday that Ali should be stripped of the championship, stating that Ali’s personal actions “have made him a detriment to the boxing world.”
Ali countered Lassman’s action with the assertion that “they’re going to cause a big, big mess all around the world.”
WBA jurisdiction is recognized by all states except New York. The New York commission said that Ali’s rights to freedom of speech and religion are inviolate under the U.S. Constitution.
“No title of a world champion ever has been vacated because of religion, race, or personal beliefs,” the commission’s statement said.
Ali, who has acknowledged that he is a member of the Black Muslims, a separatist group, claims he is “the savior of boxing” and “is not a poor example for the youth of the world,” as Lassman contends.
“I’ve never been in any kind of trouble,” Ali said today. I’m an Olympic gold medal winner for this country, and I won the heavyweight title fair and clean. Lassman must be thinking of Sonny Liston. I wonder if Lassman has thought about the reaction all over the world?”
In London, Teddy Waltham, secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, called the WBA action “arbitrary” and said it “could lead to the idiotic position of having two heavyweight champions.”
