Muhammad Ali: “Redemption Song” Analysis

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Biography Review
What is not Stated
Analysis of Ali’s Life Description
Book Analysis
Book Weaknesses
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Marqusee, Mike. Redemption Song: Muhammad Ali and the spirit of the sixties. Verso Books. 2^nd edition. 2005

The life of Muhammad Ali is regarded as one of the most fascinating and bright moments of world boxing history. Ali had become an idol for lots of young sportsmen as an example of insistence, commitment to a goal and courage to face various challenges. This is a bright example for numerous sportsmen who wish to be the best. Even though most Americans consider him a traitor, he is regarded as one of the greatest boxers in the world. “Redemption Song” by Mark Marqusee is a book that describes the cost of the choices that Muhammad Ali had to face in his life.

The book itself is available in paperback as well as a hardcover, while the highest price level reaches $ 50. The book is not too popular, though it has already been born in 2 editions, and has been translated into Japanese, Indian, Korean and Norwegian languages.

Biography Review

Ali’s way per Aspera ad Astra was full of sorrows and challenges, however, his life is featured with the only motto “if you want to be – be the best” (Miller, 40). As a whole, his life can not be regarded as easy. This was a way to victory under the constant hail of punches in the ring and out of it. The only thing that bothered him is victory in life and a ring; hence, he did not admit any barriers. He did not wish to be like others, and he clearly realized that staying an Afro-American Christian will not let him become a champion, as Christian religion as well as discrimination of Afro-Americans in the USA will create essential barriers. Thus, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. becomes Muhammad Ali in 1964, and goes on his way to the top of his boxing career. Actually, this can not be regarded as a career in its wide sense, as Ali was interested in boxing mainly, while he did not use his name as a way of propaganda. He did not wish to participate in various political actions, as his main aim was his professional growth as a boxer.

“I don’t have to be what you want me to be”, – he once claimed in one of his speeches. One of the key considerations that are described in the book is the statement that he aimed to resist any political involvement in his life and career, as he felt disgusted to any type of leadership as it was realized in 1960s. He did not accept any ideology, however, most of his actions that were not linked with sport and boxing ring were interpreted from ideological, or even political points of view. Marqusee explains that this is closely linked with the intensity of political and social changes that were common for that epoch, and political system resisted against him, as he resisted against political interference in his life. He wished to live in a peaceful world, and it was his key motif of accepting Islam: “I believe in Allah and peace… I don’t have to be what you want me to be. I’m free to be what I want” (Marqusee, 7). In fact, he was the first champion who had ever proclaimed such an “independence” from the rest of the world. This declaration became the defining moment of the rest of his life: all by himself, independent, sincere and worth of respect. Another piece of his speech worth attention:

I’m no trouble maker… I’m good boy. I never have done anything wrong. I have never been to jail. I don’t join any integration marches… A rooster crows only when it sees the light. Put him in the dark and he’ll never crow. I have seen the light and I’m crowing. (Marqusee, 9)

In fact, the book is mainly aimed at revealing the deepest corners of Ali’s soul, as it is not simply a dry biography that enlists the facts from his life. The book is like a requiem to all the rumors and attacks originated by the press and those who opposed his powerful spirit in life instead of opposing his mighty fist in a ring.

What is not Stated

Redemption Song is the inevitable part of the biography, especially when the career is over. Nevertheless, the bright moments of this boxer’s life can not be assessed fully without describing his sport behavior. He was not only a hermit who liked boxing and opposed the system. He is regarded as an inventor, and Mike Marqusee pays little attention to this aspect. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” strategy is still used by those who wish to be champions. This type of tactic has changed the initial representation of boxing, as the classic boxing school teaches to keep defense and hit when an opponent is open. Nevertheless, no one could imagine that this innovation may become the key to success.

Additionally, Rope-a-Dope strategy requires particular attention. In general, it is the representation of all his life, as he always let journalists, politicians, sportsmen, and agents take an advantage (which was often imaginary), and then counterattacked. Who knows, maybe this strategy was invented using his life experience, or vice versa, the life went on by a strategy that had been invented in the ring. Marqusee does not give a definite answer, as this is the strategy that requires courage, audacity, firmness and powerful assuredness in success.

Analysis of Ali’s Life Description

The author does not claim any idealistic statements concerning the career of this fascinating person. The statements are clear, realistic, and made from the position of a researcher who knows the research subject perfectly. Originally, all the facts that are given in the book can not be doubted, as everyone knows that Cassius Clay, and then Muhammad Ali. The author can definitely answer what is the reason for his success. Readers will inevitably understand what the reasons for his three losses were, and what lessons derived out of these losses. In fact, it is an amazing result for the career, as no one could repeat this achievement. There were no draws, and any battle was not featured with passive tactics. Ali never afforded himself to be passive and let the other impose the rules different from those which Ali had previously defined for himself. These were the battles with excitement and perfect strategy. He really floated like a butterfly all around the ring.

Book Analysis

The book is mainly aimed at describing the instance of the person who clearly knew what he wanted. Officially, his career started with the first victory in a ring. It happened when he was 12. Unfortunately, Marqusee does not emphasize the significance of this age for Ali, however, this was the age when everything was defined for him: he will become a fighter, or his life will be meaningless. (Retton, 5)

The importance of this research is obvious, however, the author does not emphasize several key aspects of his life. In fact, these aspects may not be regarded as a significant part of his career and life, nevertheless, they have shaped the Muhammad Ali that we know. These aspects are closely linked with his family. In distinction with lots of other Afro-Americans that had to create their way from rats to riches, Cassius Clay was not from a poor family. His parents made him intelligent and taught him to think and assess critically everything that surrounded him. This family education made him able to analyze and invent, as pointless swinging of arms will not lead to victory. No one could even imagine that a heavyweight boxer can move along the ring better than a lightweight. Few believed that he would be able to win matches without covering his face, however, his reaction and speed of motions were amazing, so most of the opponents’ punches were aimless.

Book Weaknesses

Fifty-six wins (thirty-seven knockouts and nineteen decisions) is the amazing result of the black butterfly. This is the main aspect of author’s covering the topic. On the one hand, Mike Marqusee shows that he knows the life of this boxer perfectly, and is able to explain any decision that Ali had ever made in his life. Nevertheless, he does not explain the essence of these victories to him. He wished to be, he was, he is, and he always will be the best for his admirers and followers. Numerous instances emphasize this feature of Ali’s personality. However, this is the largest weakness of the book, as the author can not explain fully why Ali will stay an idol for several generations of sportsmen (and not only boxers).

Another statement concerning the weaknesses of the book that should be emphasized is linked with the training process, as well as his personal life. In fact, these two aspects were not linked, however, there is an impression that his poor personal life, and then misfortune with Veronica Porsche only stimulated his will during training. The gym was not a training place for him. Gym was his home, as he could relax only by training. He did not wish to replace training with the sorrows and joy of married life, and even staying married he did not lower his training load.

Conclusion

The book is mainly intended at describing the life and career of one of the most well-known and fascinating boxers – Muhammad Ali. He is a legend and will always stay, as no one has managed to repeat his success. Mike Marqusee aims to explain the reasons for his success, and described his life in detail, however, he misses (or pays insufficient attention) to numerous aspects of Ali’s life. Thus, the paper is worth reading, however, this is not fundamental and allover research of the idol’s life.

Works Cited

Marqusee, Mike. Redemption Song: Muhammad Ali and the spirit of the sixties. Verso Books. 2^nd edition. 2005.

Miller, Davis. Still Larger Than Life – To Millions, Muhammad Ali Will Always Be The Champ. Salem Press. pp. 38–41.

Retton, Hammill Most popular American athletes. Associated Press. 1993.

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