Though Ali won the gold medal that the Rome Olympics in 1960, at the time experts weren't impressed by his boxing skills. His head, eyes wide, seemed to float above the action. Rather than the traditional slipping a punch it was Ali's habit to sway back, bending at the waist. His tactics appalled the experts, the reaction Ali craved. Ali's self-promoting behavior didn't impress any of the experts either. Muhammad wasn't even phased by the negative publicity, in fact he relished the attention and the fans ate it up.
             I believe Ali and Anitgone have quite a bit in common. Antigone was an extremely proud and stubborn woman, when she made a decision she was bent on it. Ali was probably one of the most proud athletes I can think of. He publically announced he was the best, and nothing could change his mind, and no one could prove him wrong. Antigone knew that what she was doing was leagally, Ali knew that society would have problems accepting his behavior, but the believed in themselves, and initially others did as well.
             Society also had problems with Ali's association with the muslims and giving up his "slave name" Cassius Clay for Muhammad Ali, the poetry and quips like "If Ali says a mosquito can pull a plow, don't ask how. Hitch him up!", and press conferences where the reporters were sullen. Ali would turn on them snapping "Why ain't you taking notice?" or "Why ain't you laughing?"
             It's odd they weren't laughing, lord knows everyone else was. He was a perfect combination of sass, sweetness and naivete. Much like Antigone. Ali's girlfriend told a reporter that the first time he was kissed, he fainted. Even when somber topics came up, merriment always seemed to be bobbilng blow his surface. When reporterrs asked about his connections with Islam, he joked that he was going to have four wives. One to shine his shoes, one to feed him grapes, one to rub oil on his muscles, and one names Peaches. Even when he was...