Ali-Patterson: The Real Story | SportsonEarth.com : Alex Belth Article:
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| Love Patterson's smile in this photo. Via SoE |
Now, you have to keep in mind, too, that one of Ali's mentors was the professional wrestler Gorgeous George, who advised him that he could make a lot more money as a villain than he could as a hero. So Ali, who had a genius for fight promotion, would play up his villainous role. He sidled up to Patterson before their fight and, essentially, said, “You want to make some money, Floyd? Play along.” Patterson understood the shtick.
Ali didn't mind Patterson calling him Cassius.
Ernie Terrell did not have permission and paid for it.
