Jan. 17, 1965 - Gene Tunney’s son, a Representative-elect, called for a national boxing commission, and Muhammad Ali, the heavyweight champion, called for “more white contenders” tonight at the 40th annual Boxing Writers’ Association dinner.
Ali told an audience of more than 1,400 that “if we had more great white fellows like that man [Gene Tunney] and Dempsey and Barney Ross, colorful fighters, men who would say ‘I can whip any man in the joint,’ boxing would be alive.”
The dinner, which coincided with Ali’s 23rd birthday, was more nostalgic than hopeful. The only intimation of boxing’s immortality was held out by John Varick Tunney, recently elected as a Democrat from California’s 38th District. Young Tunney was flanked on the dais by his two chief campaigners — Jack Dempsey, heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926, and the man who beat him, Gene Tunney.
“The only answer is a national boxing commission,” said John Tunney, “a commission that could enforce minimum rules of training, prevent racketeers from attending training camps, and give all fighters a fair shot at the title.”
Ali quickly warmed his audience at the Waldorf-Astoria by reminding them that he hadn’t decided to become a champion until he was at least 1½ years old. At that time, with a straight right hand, he knocked out two of his mother’s front teeth.
The champion admitted it was a great thrill to be recognized as the heavyweight champion (“at least in some states”) and said, “It would look a lot better if we had some white contenders to challenge me.”
Gate receipts would go up, he said, and a fight between him and a modern Dempsey or Tunney would draw “30 million dollars.”
Among the top contenders, only George Chuvalo is white. Sonny Liston, Floyd Patterson, Ernie Terrell, Eddie Machen, and Cleveland Williams are all Negroes.
Ali also said: “With all the pressures I’m under, there should be some big medals for me tonight for all the things I’ve been through.” There were none.
Willie Pastrano, the light-heavyweight champion, received the Edward J. Neil Award as Fighter of the Year; Mickey Walker, the former middleweight champion, received the James J. Walker Award for service to boxing; and Billy Graham, a former middleweight contender, got the first Good Guy Award.

Support this project at patreon.com/realtime1960s
Comments