The only biological son of the legendary Muhammad Ali argued that his father would have despised the Black Lives Matter movement, characterizing the movement as racist and the protestors as devils.
Ali Jr. made these remarks in an exclusive interview with the New York Post to commemorate the fourth anniversary of his father’s death. The words are bound to cause controversy, especially because Ali was not only one of the best boxers but also a renowned social activist.
According to Ali Jr., his father would have drawn the line when some of the protestors began looting and starting violence of their own. He argued that there are peaceful ways of voicing one’s thoughts that does not involve illegal activities.
Ali Jr. went so far as to argue that his father would say all lives matter, a notion that he says he agrees with. He said that all lives – black, white, Chinese – all matters in the same way God never singled out one group for preferential treatment. Both Ali and Ali Jr. are Muslims.
Ali Jr.’s overall tone on police brutality seemed to favor the law enforcement side. Saying that no police wakes up thinking they will kill someone, Ali Jr. said officers just want to get their job done and return home to their family.
He even maintained a relatively neutral and understanding tone for the particular officer who killed George Floyd. Although Ali Jr. agreed that the killing was wrong, he also said that other parts of the now infamous video show how Floyd was trying to resist arrest from Derek Chauvin.
In his words, Ali Jr. said that the arrest itself can be justified, although the method of approaching the situation was wrong. Other responses make it clear that he agrees with President Trump on several different points, including the President’s assertion that the looters should be treated as terrorists.
The legendary boxer had nine biological children and one adopted son. Ali Jr. had a terrible relationship with his father especially after the boxer’s final marriage in 1983.
Unlike his father, Ali Jr. had been public about his financial difficulties. Despite his father leaving an estate worth $60 million, Ali Jr. said that he only receives $1,000 or so each month.
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Replaced!