MUHAMMAD ALI: ANOTHA ONE COMIN'
Script by Caucus de Bourbon
PAGE 1
PANEL 1
WIDE SHOT - LOUISVILLE - MORNING - An 18-year-old CASSIUS
CLAY jogs through the streets, bellowing at the top of his
lungs. He wears heavy Army boots.
SFX: (boots landing on pavement) clomp clomp
CLAY: I'm Cassius Marcelus Clay!
PANEL 2
TIGHT ON - one of his boots "clomping" against pavement.
SFX: clomp clomp
CLAY: I am the greatest!
PANEL 3
ON CLAY - jogging, punching at air.
CLAY: I'm the greatest in the world!
PANEL 4
NEW ANGLE - Clay passes a brick wall, throws a flurry of
punches at his shadow.
SFX: (punches) swoomf swoomf swoomf
CLAY: I'm gonna be champion!
PANEL 5
NEW ANGLE - Clay fakes a swipe at an OLD LADY'S nose.
SFX: (the swipe) swish
CLAY: You're gonna read about me!
PANEL 6
FULL SHOT - A WHITE MAN in Foreground stands behind a utility
pole, hidden from sight by the approaching Clay. His fist is
clenched.
SFX: clomp clomp clomp clomp
CLAY: I'm gonna be next Champion of the Wor-r-
rld!
PANEL 7
SAME SHOT - CLOSER - White Man lands his fist full-force into
Clay's face. Clay goes reeling.
SFX: (the punch) KA-PLOW!!!
MAN: You ain't gonna be no champion of
nothin'!
NOTE TO ARTIST: All preceding panels, excluding #7, are to
depict Clay in motion, jogging and punching at all times.
PAGE 2
ACROSS TOP OF PAGE: A brief history of Islam
NOTE: The 3 panels are vertical The CAPTIONS are at top of
each.
PANEL 1
MOHAMMED - Arms stretched toward an illustrious light.
CAPTION: Roughly 600 years after Christ's death
the prophet Mohommed, born to the poor
but noble tribe of Bani Hashim, in the
Arabic peninsula city of Mekka,
transcribes a series of revelatory
conversations he has with God, or
"Allah." The collected works become the
tenet of the Muslim faith, its scripture
formally known as the Koran.
MOHAMMED: In the Name of God the Compassionate, the
Merciful, He Who has chosen me "Seal of
the Prophets," I am your anointed humble
agent to lay down Your words . . .
PANEL 2
ELIJAH - Preaching as he holds a copy of the Koran.
CAPTION: In 1931 Detroit, Wali Farad, another son
of Mecca, claims himself the incarnation
of Mohammed sent to liberate "the Lost-
Found Nation of Islam in the West."
Specifically, to provide dignity to and
restore the "black man's" God-given
moral, cultural, and political supremacy
in the world, the loss of which has now
resulted in his domination by Western
white slavemasters. In 1934 Elijah
Muhammad succeeds Farad as the holy
leader or "Messenger" and the Nation of
Islam is steadily embraced by the
impoverished black population of
Northeast America's urban industrial
wastelands.
ELIJAH: Our God is black! We must prepare now
for the Battle of Armageddon -- Good vs.
Evil; Black vs. White!
PANEL 3
CASSIUS (AGE 18) - shouts to the heavens.
CAPTION: By the 1960s racial inequity and growing
civil strife remain the norm for life in
Louisville, Kentucky. Here, 18-year-old
Cassius Marcellus Clay, a boxer from the
age of 12, risks not being allowed to
graduate high school when he attempts to
write an English term paper on a newly
found religion he's heard only hushed
overtures about: Black Muslims.
CLAY: You spoke to Moses! You spoke to Noah!
Why won't you speak to me?! Tell me,
what am I supposed to do, God?
PAGE 3
ACROSS TOP OF PAGE: "The XVIII Olympic Games, Rome, 1960"
2/3 PAGE
OVERSIZE RENDERING OF CASSIUS CLAY - triumphant, his arms
raised high. The Olympic Gold Medal hangs from his neck.
Around and behind this are 4 SHOTS of Clay boxing in the
Olympics.
CLAY: Ain't Cassius Clay a beautiful name?
Ain't it pretty?
CAPTION ALONG BOTTOM: With 108 amateur bouts, six
Kentucky Golden Gloves championships, two
National Golden Gloves tournaments, and
two National AAU titles behind him,
Cassius Clay defeats European champion
Zbigniew Pietrzykowski to seize the
Olympian Light-Heavyweight Gold. Through
his unusual and exhausting combination of
speed and foot-frolicking finesse, in
four undefeated bouts America's 18-year-
old "Louisville Lip" climbs from near
obscurity to become the "bold, brash &
beautiful" toast of the world!
PANEL 2
ALONG BOTTOM OF PAGE - Cassius Clay, wearing his gold medal,
speaks with a RUSSIAN REPORTER.
REPORTER: Our Soviet readers ask: How do you feel
to win gold medal for your country, when
United States does not allow you to eat
in many restaurants because of your
color?
CLAY: You tell your readers we got qualified
people working on that problem, and I'm
not worried about the outcome. To me,
the USA is the best country in the world,
including yours!
PAGE 4
PANEL 1
CASSIUS - behind the wheel of a topless Cadillac, honking and
waving at Pedestrians. He wears his gold medal.
CAPTION: Back home in Louisville, Kentucky.
SFX: (horn) HONK HONK
CLAY: Next world champ here! I'm Cassius Clay!
PANEL 2
INT. OFFICE - HIGH ANGLE - WILLIAM FAVERSHAM looks out window
at Clay in street while CASSIUS CLAY SR. and ODESSA remain
seated.
WILLIAM: I've organized some local investors
called the Louisville Sponsoring Group to
fund your son's professional career.
Cassius will be paid $10,000 for signing
and guaranteed a draw of $333.00 a month
against earnings. All expenses will come
out of our end, with 15% of his earnings
being put into a pension fund.
PANEL 3
NEW ANGLE - CLAY SR. AND ODESSA -
CLAY SR.: A 50-50 split with GG the first four
years, then 60-40 afterwards, sounds fair
to me and Odessa.
WILLIAM: GG?
ODESSA: That's what Cassius said when he was a
baby, "gee, gee." He says now he was
trying to say "Golden Gloves!" He always
had such spirit. He was raised Baptist.
PANEL 4
INT. BOXING RING - The REFEREE raises Clay's hands in
victory.
CAPTION: Three days after signing Clay makes his
pro-boxing debut against heavywieght
Tunney Hunsaker...
REFEREE: Six-round decision goes to Cassius Clay!
PANEL 5
INT. LOCKEROOM - Faversham and Cassius talking.
CAPTION: Afterward...
WILLIAM: Sugar Ray Robinson turned you down,
Cassius. He doesn't want to train you.
CASSIUS: He can't! I'm the fastest fighter in the
world! Who else can train me?
PANEL 6
EXT. GYM - ARCHIE MOORE, a fatherly arm around Cassius,
shakes the wide-eyed lad's hand. "Bucket of Blood Gym" is
painted across the doors.
CAPTION: Ramona, California, on the outskirts of
San Diego...
MOORE: I'm Archie Moore, the light heavyweight
champ. Welcome to my "Salt Mine."
CLAY: This is great!
MOORE: We work for our keeps here.
PAGE 5
PANEL 1
INT. GYM BOXING RING - THROUGH ROPES - at Archie Moore,
studying Cassius, who's sparring with another BOXER.
MOORE: Punch him hard, Cassius! Hit with power!
Don't ride the distance! 15 rounds is 10
rounds too many! Knock 'em out quick,
preserve your stamina and you'll fight
more fights!
PANEL 2
NEW ANGLE - Cassius turns to address Moore as one of his
punches crash into the sparring partner's face.
CLAY: You're 47, I'm 18 -- I don't wanna fight
when I'm old! Sugar Ray's my man! Gimme
five or six years and a couple million
dollars, and I'm gonna quit fighting!
PANEL 3
SHOT - MIAMI -
CAPTION: The apprenticeship with Moore ends before
Christmas and Cassius is assigned a new
trainer, in Miami...
PANEL 4
EXT. "THE 5TH STREET GYM" - Cassius and ANGELO DUNDEE shake
hands.
CAPTION: ...One highly repected Angelo Dundee.
CLAY: You remember I whuped Willie Pastrano
sparring last year when you and him was
in Louisville?
ANGELO: I do, and you did. I also remember you
telling me you're going to be the next
champ. I'm going to make sure you keep
your promise.
CLAY: Yes, sir!
PANEL 5
AFTER A FIGHT - Cassius walks with a PHOTOGRAPHER.
CAPTION: Cassius wins his next three bouts by
knockout. As always, remaining as crafty
outside the ring as in.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Sports Illustrated sent me to take
some shots of you.
CLAY: But you take pictures for Life, too?
PHOTOGRAPHER: Yep, underwater stuff's my specialty.
CLAY: I want to be in Life magazine.
PANEL 6
NEW ANGLE -
PHOTOGRAPHER: Sorry, kid, Life's not interested
in fighters.
CLAY: But don't you know why I'm the fastest
heavyweight in the world?
PHOTOGRAPHER: No...
PAGE 6
PANEL 1
"LIFE" MAGAZINE PHOTO-SPREAD - of Clay standing up to his
neck in a swimming pool, punching under the surface. Story
header reads: "Cassius Clay trains underwater."
PANEL 2
CLAY AND ANGELO - hold open the issue of Life, both equally
impressed with the layout.
CLAY: I told them I train underwater so when I
get out I'm lightning fast 'cause there's
no resistance!
ANGELO: They believed you? You can't even swim!
PANEL 3
EXT. MOSQUE - Clay (wearing dress shirt) and a suited black
man named SAM, who carries a bundle of Muhammad Speaks
newspapers.
CAPTION: In March of '61 Cassius bumps into a
disciple of the Nation of Islam selling
their weekly newspaper, Muhammad Speaks,
on a street corner.
CLAY: I've always been interested, just never
had a chance to learn more.
SAM: Brother, I followed you in the Olympics.
If you're exploring the teaching then
you've got to hear the truth. What will
make you invincible is the truth...
PANEL 4
INT. MOSQUE - BROTHER JOHN on the pulpit, speaking.
B. JOHN: Why are we called Negroes? It's the
white man's way of taking away our
identity. If you see a Chinaman coming,
you know he comes from China If you see
a Cuban coming, you know he comes from
Cuba. I ask you, what country is called
Negro?
PANEL 5
REVERSE ANGLE - FAVORING CLAY - He enters with Sam. Clay is
mesmerized by the words of Brother John, as are the many
other Black Faces seated in the pews.
B. JOHN: ...We don't even have our names! If Mr.
Goldberg is coming, you know he's a Jew.
Mr. O'Reilly is an Irishman. But with
Mr. Jones or Mr. Washington, you don't
know what's coming! We were named after
our white slavemasters...
PAGE 7
PANEL 1
MEDIUM CLOSE UP - CASSIUS CLAY - seated bolt-straight in a
pew.
B. JOHN: ...If Mr. Jones had fifty slaves, they
were Mr. Jones' niggers and they were
named after him.
CLAY: (thought balloon) "Cassius Marcelus
Clay" was a Kentucky white man who owned
my great-grandaddy and named my great-
grandaddy after him.
PANEL 2
VERY CLOSE ON CLAY - mulling it all over.
B. JOHN: If Mr. Washington bought those slaves,
they became Mr. Washington's niggers and
changed to his name!
CLAY: (under breath) And then my great-
grandaddy got named, and then my daddy.
And now it's me...
PANEL 3
SHOT - BROTHER JOHN - talking on phone. Sam behind him.
B. JOHN: Listen, brother, we got Cassius Clay in
Miami. He's interested in the teaching.
PANEL 4
INT. 5TH ST. GYM - INGEMAR JOHANSSON and his TRAINER talking
with Angelo. Clay punches a bag in B.G.
CAPTION: Meanwhile, heavyweight Ingemar Johansson
is in town for the title re-match with
world champion Floyd Patterson.
TRAINER: Angelo, we need somebody to work out with
before the fight.
ANGELO: Cash, you interested?
PANEL 5
INT. BOXING RING - Angelo and Trainer watch as Clay spars
with Johansson, buries him in several swift jabs.
CLAY: Come an get me, sucker! I'm standing
here! You know I'm the one who should be
fighting Patterson, not you!
TRAINER: Jeezus, your guy's the best defensive
fighter I've ever seen.
ANGELO: You ain't seen nothin' yet.
PANEL 6
NEW ANGLE - JOHANSSON - exasperated, swings wildly at Clay,
missing him by a mile.
JOHANSSON: GAGGGGHHHHH!
CLAY: What's the matter, can't hit me?
PAGE 8
PANEL 1
INT. OFFICE - BUSINESSMEN huddles around a table, conferring.
Boxing posters on the wall.
CAPTION: Word of the dazzling Clay spreads...
BUS. 1: I think this kid in Miami might sell some
tickets. Let's put him on TV.
PANEL 2
A TV SET - The fight
CAPTION: July 22, 1961: Cassius makes his national
television fighting debut on the Gillette
Cavalcade of Sports in Louisville, vs.
Alonzo Joynson. He wins a 10-round
decision.
PANEL 3
CLAY - talking to reporters. He wears a bow tie.
CAPTION: The next fight, also televised from
Louisville, pits him against Alex Miteff.
CLAY: My plan for fighting Miteff is two fast
left jabs, a rapid right, and a left
hook.
PANEL 4
THE FIGHT - clay wallops Miteff on the chin and drops him.
SFX: (the knockout) POW!
CAPTION: Miteff goes down in six and the ever
garrulous Clay increases in popularity.
PANEL 5
A CRUSH OF REPORTERS - around Clay.
REPORT 1: Any strategy for Willie Besmanoff?
CLAY: I'm embarrassed to get into the ring with
that unrated duck! I'm ready for top
contenders like Patterson and Liston.
Besmanoff must fall in seven.
REPORT 2: Are you now predicting rounds, Cassius?
CLAY: That duck will not see eight!
PANEL 6
INT. LOCKER ROOM - A battered BESMANOFF awakens on the bench,
eyes swollen, gloves still on. He's tended by a TRAINER.
CAPTION: Clay holds up the pitiably outmatched
Besmanoff for six rounds Finally...
BESMANOFF: What round is it?
TRAINER: The fight ended a half-hour ago, Willie.
PAGE 9
PANEL 1
INT. OFFICE (SAME AS BEFORE) - The Businessmen talking.
BUS. 1: Clay predicts the round he's gonna knock
out his opponent -- and makes good on it!
BUS. 2: He's an all-American. Fans love him!
BUS. 3: Let's book him in Madison Square Garden.
His predictions alone are worth the price
of admission!
PANEL 2
INT. MADISON SQUARE GARDEN - Clay and Angelo and CORNER MAN
heading through Crowd toward ring. Clay hamming it up.
CAPTION: Madison Square Garden. Cassius clay vs.
tough, converted southpaw Sonny Banks.
CAY: (a rhyme) Might as well now give me your
thanks, 'cause in Round Four, down goes
Sonny Banks!
PANEL 3
THE FIGHT - EMPHASIS ON CLAY - He takes a lethal left hook on
the chin from Banks. Sweat and spit splatter.
CAPTION: Round One.
SFX: THWUMP!!!
PANEL 4
NEW ANGLE - As Clay drops to mat, knees buckled, eyes shut.
WE SEE Angelo react with horror in corner.
ANGELO: Cash's knocked out!
PANEL 5
NEW ANGLE - Clay lands on his butt with a "Crash". At this
very instant, both his eyes spring open wide and mad.
SFX: (butt) CRASH
ANGELO: (thought balloon) Wait...
PANEL 6
NEW ANGLE - Clay up off the mat and into Banks' face with a
blurring volley of punches, jabs and hooks.
CAPTION: Cassius rebounds from the first fall of
his career. He jumps to his feet, more
humiliated than hurt, then launches such
a dizzying volley of brain-spraying
destruction that Sonny Banks is rendered
feeble.
SFX: (punches) PUNCH PUNCH THWACK SMACK
THUMP THWAK POP
BOTTOM CAPTION: He's KO'd in the fourth.
PAGE 10
PANEL 1
CASSIUS - talking to a couple REPORTERS.
CAPTION: For a bout with Don Warner, Cassius
predicts a fifth round knockout, but
drops him in the fourth instead.
CLAY: He wouldn't shake hands before the fight
so I subtracted one round for bad
sportsmanship!
PANEL 2
BLACK MUSLIM MEETING - Clay shakes hands with MALCOLM X.
CAPTION: As does affinity for the emerging champ
grow, so does his own for the Black
Muslim faith. A fact the public-at-large
is unaware of.
MALCOLM: It's gratifying to have the future
heavyweight champion with us, brother.
I'm Malcolm X.
CLAY: There's so much I want to learn. I have
so many questions...
PANEL 3
MALCOLM X AND CASSIUS CLAY - Clay thumbs through the Qur'an.
MALCOLM: To learn you must first accept that what
the white man has taught you is a myth
conceived to smother us. By accepting
the lies of the white devil you are their
puppet. And when you cease amusing them
they will strike you down. Hell is the
life we are living on earth. The answers
are here among your own people.
PANEL 4
INT. BUCKETS OF BLOOD GYM - (Door is open to reveal
location.) Archie Moore works out on punching bag. His WIFE
is here.
CAPTION: Back in California...
WIFE: Archie, this is the promoters' fight. I
know things didn't work out between you
and Cassius, but he's 27 years younger
than you. You could get hurt.
MOORE: We need the money.
PANEL 5
WIDE SHOT - FIGHT - 16,000 fans watch the two men face off.
CAPTION: In what The New York Times calls "The
Fight of the Century," Cassius Clay faces
off with Archie Moore in L.A. before a
capacity crowd. Clay is the 3-1
favorite.
SFX: (round bell) BR-R-I-I-ING!
PAGE 11
PANEL 1
THE FIGHT - Moore hunched over protectively, fists before his
face, but the top of his head left open. Clay clubs him
there.
SFX: WHOMP
CAPTION: Cassius wins. But as luck would have it,
the conquest pits him no closer to the
title shot.
PANEL 2
INT. VEGAS CASINO - SONNY LISTON, big, mean and ugly, shoots
craps. He's losing. At the end of the table Clay mimics
him.
CAPTION: In Las Vegas, the bruiser Cassius needs
to topple in that shot, Sonny Liston,
also gets a lesson in luck. And Cassius
shows up to let him know it...
CLAY: You big ugly bear! You can't throw dice
any better than you can throw a punch!
PANEL 3
NEW ANGLE - Liston has Clay by the scruff of the neck. He
towers over him, fuming and ugly. Clay genuinely looks
scared.
LISTON: Listen you little nigger &*#@, if you
don't get outta here in 10 seconds I'm
gonna pull that fat tongue outta your
mouth and stick it up your #@!!
BOTTOM CAPTION: However, Cassius' ruse fails to
land him a bout.
PANEL 4
SPLIT-PANEL - One side is Life magazine, the other is Cassius
in a recording, studio holding sheets of his verse that he
recites into a microphone.
CAPTION: By 1963, with seven of Cassius' eight
previous bouts ending victoriously in the
round predicted, Life publishes one of
his poems. Columbia Records releases an
LP of his poetry and monologues, and his
verse is widely quoted.
CLAY: (into mic) ...He can't talk. He can't
box. All he can do is be ugly! I'm
gonna be champion of the whole universe!
After I whup Sonny, I'm gonna whup those
little green men from Jupiter and Mars --
looking at them won't scare me none
because they can't be no uglier than
Sonny Liston!
PAGE 12
PANEL 1
TRI-SHOT - CASSIUS - at various public places (a coffeehouse,
a bowling alley, a street intersection) handing out leaflets
which boldy declare: "Cassius Clay vs Doug Jones at Madison
Square Garden."
CAPTION: Clearly Cassius has won the hearts of
America and it's time for another fight
at the Garden. Problem is, the
newspapers are on strike and promotion
difficult. But not for Cassius...
CLAY 1: I'm fighting Doug Jones at Madison Square
Garden.
CLAY 2: Come watch me drop the boy in six!
CLAY 3: I'm so great, instead of six -- I'll put
Jones down in round four!
PANEL 2
EXT. MADISON SQUARE GARDEN - Throngs of people around it.
Many walking away as a large marque reads "Fight Sold Out!"
PERSON 1: This is going to be great!
PERSON 2: Cassius says a round four KO.
PERSON 3: He said if Jones upsets him, he'll quit
boxing!
BOTTOM CAPTION: Though the Garden fills full, the
public's penchant for Clay's braggadocio
turns sour during the bout...
PANEL 3
INT. GARDEN - THE FIGHT - Both fighters, Clay and Jones,
return to their respective corners as the CROWD gets angry.
CAPTION: The end of round four.
SFX: (bell) CLONG!
CROWD 1: Jones is still standing!
CROWD 2: Where's our round four knockout?
CROWD 3: You lousy bum! You said round four!
CROWD 4: This ain't a fight!
CROWD 5: Gimme back my money!
PANEL 4
NEW ANGLE - THE FIGHT - The decision goes to Clay, who holds
his hands in victory.
CAPTION: The 10-round decision goes to Clay --
just barely.
CROWD: BOOOOO!
CLAY: I called it in six, then four -- add them
together and that's ten! And I'm sti-i-
ill pretty!
PAGE 13
PANEL 1
EXT. MUSLIM TEMPLE - Cassius is ushered in through the back
door. Other Black Muslims can be seen in B.G. entering the
front.
CLAY: (at door) Sorry I have to come in
through the back, but if a reporter ever
sees me enter I'll lose the title shot.
MALCOLM: There are no apologies here, brother.
PANEL 2
INT. BOXING RING - LONDON FIGHT - Clay enters, arms up,
wearing a stone encrusted crown and a robe emblazoned with
"Cassius the Greatest." COOPER is reserved.
CAPTION: Three months after the Jones fight Clay
and company are in London to take on
British heavyweight champion, Henry
Cooper.
CLAY: He will fall in round five!
PANEL 3
THE FIGHT - Clay out of his corner throwing punches.
CAPTION: Round one...
SFX: (bell) CLANG!
CLAY: C'mon, come and get me!
PANEL 4
SPLIT-PANEL - FIRST: Clay lands a punch; SECOND: CLOSE ON
GLOVE as it hits Cooper. A seam on glove near thumb rips.
SFX: (punch) Thwunk
SFX: (seam) RIP!
PANEL 5
RING CORNER - Between rounds. Clay in corner as Angelo turns
Clay's glove to conceal a ripped seam as CORNER MAN swabs him
down.
ANGELO: You got him right where you want him,
Cash. Just keep your hand closed so
nobody sees your glove ripped.
PANEL 6
THE FIGHT - Clay smashes Cooper repeatedly.
CAPTION: Cassius pummels Chipper mercilessly in
rounds two and three.
PAGE 14
PANEL 1
3 SHOTS ACROSS PAGE - THE FIGHT - SHOT 1: Cassius stumbles
back from Clay's punches; SHOT 2: Cooper staggers while Clay
mugs cocky to the crowd, arms up.
CAPTION OVER SHOTS 1 & 2: By round four the
bloodied champion staggers listlessly
while Cassius plays to the crowd.
SHOT 3: CLOSE ON COOPER - A glint of consciousness in his
swollen eyes, one of his fists reeled far back to fuel a
punch tapped into every ounce of his remaining strength.
CAPTION AT BOTTOM OF SHOT 3: Then, five seconds
short of the bell to end round four...
COOPER: (screams) EEYYUGGGHHH!
PANEL 2
CLOSE ON CLAY'S REACTION - He turns his head just in time to
see the fist roaring toward him -- too late.
CLAY: HHHuh?
PANEL 3
CLAY'S POV - THE ONCOMING PUNCH - Glove huge in panel with
Cooper's face miles behind it.
CAPTION: ...Cooper finds the strength for one
final, fateful punch...
PANEL 4
SLIVER PANEL (VERY NARROW) - A star burst indicating sever
crashing contact with Clay's face!
SFX: CRASH!!!
PANEL 5
THE FIGHT - FULL SHOT - Clay bounces off the ropes damn near
unconscious, falling. Corner Man and Angelo are there to
catch him. Cooper is down on one knee. His own CORNER MEN
are rushing to retrieve him. Pandemonium reigns!
SFX: (bell) CLANG!
ANGELO: Stand up, Cash! Stand up!
CORNER MAN: Got him!
PANEL 6
CASSIUS CLAY - collapsed spread-eagle on his corner stool,
swirly-birds and stars spinning over his head. Corner Man
administers smelling salts as Angelo looks panicked. He
opens up the tear in Clay's glove and calls to the Ref.
CAPTION: Pandemonium reigns in the house! Mere
precious seconds 'til the next round,
Angelo makes a bid to buy some time...
SFX: (the tear) RIP!
ANGELO: Stop the fight! We gotta torn glove
here!
PAGE 15
PANEL 1
THE FIGHT - THE RING - Fight over, Clay's hand is held high
in victory as People spill into the ring to pull the
unbelievably bloody Cooper to aid.
CAPTION: The ploy buys maybe a minute's extra time
before the next round. Minute enough for
Cassius to recover from the blow. Two
minutes, fifteen seconds later, Cassius
Clay is declared the winner. As he
predicted, Cooper goes down in five.
CLAY: I'm the boldest, the prettiest, the most
superior, most scientific, most
skillfullest fighter in the ring today!
Not only am I the greatest -- I'm the
double-greatest!!!
PANEL 2
"EBONY" MAGAZINE SPREAD (DATED MARCH 1963) - Photos of Clay.
CAPTION: His popularity even transcends sports...
TEXT: Cassius Marcellus Clay is a blast furnace
of racial pride. His is a pride that
would never mask itself with skin
lighteners and processed hair, a pride
scorched with memories of a million
little burns.
PANEL 3
CLAY AMIDST A SEA OF PEOPLE - spouting.
CLAY: The only thing keeping me from being the
World Champion is that ugly bear, Sonny
Liston. Feed him to me!
PANEL 4 (WIDE ACROSS PAGE)
INT. 5TH STREET GYM - Several BLACK MUSLIMS in dark suits and
ties flank Malcolm X, who talks with Angelo. Clay, sweaty
from workout, seems in the middle of them.
CAPTION: With contracts signed to finally battle
Sonny Liston for the title in February
'64, Clay's involvement with the growing
Black Muslim movement becomes
increasingly apparent. As does their
presence in his entourage...
MALCOLM: It's in our brother's best interest that
we keep an eye on his business dealings
so's he will not be exploited. You have
no objection, Mr. Dundee?
ANGELO: Cash's personal affairs are his business.
Just you understand, in the ring my
business is Cash.
MALCOLM: An interesting nick-name you have for our
brother, "Cash."
PAGE 16
PANEL 1
ELIJAH MUHAMMAD - addresses a crowd of thousands. Clay seen.
CAPTION DIVIDING PANELS 1 & 2: Meanwhile, the dogmatic
differences between the Honorable Elijah
Muhammad and Malcolm X open a rift in the
faith, and in the Nation of Islam...
ELIJAH: Since we cannot get along with White
America in peace and equality after
giving them 400 years of our sweat and
blood only to receive in return some of
the worst treatment human beings have
ever endured, we believe we are justified
and that our former slave-masters are
obligated to provide us such land that is
fertile and minerally rich for a complete
separation in a state or territory of our
own.
PANEL 2
MALCOLM X - addresses a crowd of thousands. Clay seen.
MALCOLM: You don't realize the enormity of the so-
called Christian white man's crime: 100
million of us murdered by him to get 15
million of us here to be made slaves!
Why, the white man's raping of the black
race's women began on those very slave
ships! Brothers and sisters, civilized
mankind has never known such an orgy of
greed and lust and murder as that of the
blue-eyed devil's crusade to keep our
people deaf, dumb, and blind to his evil
deeds! We must be prepared to fight!
PANEL 3
3 HEAD SHOTS - SHOT 1: ELIJAH reacts to TV news, his head
slumped in his hands (we see back of TV only w/rabbit ear
antenna on top of it). Elijah is looking more to left of
page.; SHOT 2: CASSIUS hears it on radio behind him. He
faces us straight on, a tear rolling down his cheek as he
looks up to top of panel.; SHOT 3: MALCOLM speaks into a
microphone held up, looks down toward right of page.
CAPTION OVER SHOT 1: Finally...
RADIO: (in Shot 2) Repeat, President Kennedy
dead in Dallas.
MALCOLM: (in Shot 3) Kennedy's murder is not
unlike chickens coming home to roost.
Being an old farm boy myself, chickens
coming home to roost never did make me
sad. They always made me glad!
PAGE 17
PANEL 1
ELIJAH AND MALCOLM - FAVORING ELIJAH - He is pissed.
ELIJAH: Your remarks cast us in a regrettable
light, Malcolm. What this means for the
Nation is division and scrutiny and
fear -- a loss of strength! I'm
suspending your duties for 90 days.
MALCOLM: Suspend me then! I'm going to Miami to
support Cassius.
ELIJAH: Then you'll go as a private citizen in no
way representing the Nation --
PANEL 2
NEW ANGLE - FAVORING MALCOLM - Adamant.
MALCOLM: Don't you realize what the championship
will mean for the Nation? The first
brother internationally idolized, the
pride of all people, coming forth to
publicly claim allegiance to the Nation
of Islam? You talk of division in the
people -- Cassius Clay is the people!
ELIJAH: Sonny Liston is the most ruthless fighter
alive. He's unstoppable. Clay cannot
possibly win.
MALCOLM: He already has.
PANEL 3
SONNY LISTON - looking mean. He talks with his sleazy
Italian TRAINER while punching a body bag.
TRAINER: Sonny, you're not worried about this Clay
kid, are ya?
LISTON: He's crazy in the head. He talks crazy.
He acts crazy --
TRAINER: The kid talks so's to get himself press.
The only thing nutty about him is his
wanting to get in the ring with you!
LISTON: -- All them crazy rhymes he jabbers.
When I was in prison, the only folks who
scared me was crazy! They're
unpredictable. I'm gonna be ready for
him.
PANEL 4 (SMALL)
TIGHT SHOT OF BATHROOM SINK - Water running through hands.
PANEL 5 (SMALL)
A COUPLE OF TIGHT SHOTS - Clay wiping his body with water.
He is praying to Allah.
CLAY: Pure and glorified are You, O Allah.
Blessed is Your Name and exalted is Your
Majesty, and there is nothing worthy of
worship except You. I seek refuge with
Allah from Satan, the accursed...
PAGE 18
PANEL 1
WHITE GUYS IN SUITS - standing menacingly. Angelo, in front,
looks caught between a rock and a hard place.
ANGELO: This is the south. You're too
controversial, Malcolm. The promoter's
going to call of the fight unless you get
out of Florida immediately.
PANEL 2
REVERSE ANGLE - MALCOLM X - seated next to Clay and a bunch
of "brothers" in dark suits.
MALCOLM: I'll not be the white man's scapegoat for
keeping Cassius from his rightful glory.
I'll go. But I will be back for the
fight!
PANEL 3
INT. PRESS CONFERENCE - A long table (like for a celebrity
roast). On one side of EMCEE is an excited Clay. On the
other, a very somber, mean-looking Liston.
CAPTION: The pre-fight build-up intensifies...
CLAY: (a rhyme) Yes, the crowd did not dream
When they lay down their money
That they would see
A total eclipse of the Sonny
I am the greatest!
LISTON: I'm gonna shut him up.
PANEL 4
INT. HALLWAY - Clay, Angelo, SUGAR RAY ROBINSON, Corner Man,
and a couple other White Men standing at closed double-doors
marked "Weigh-in." Clay wears a denim jacket emblazoned with
the words: "Bear Huntin'," and holds an African walking
stick. He's amped for the show and Angelo's trying to tone
him down.
CAPTION: February 24, 1964. Pre-fight weigh-in,
the morning of the bout...
ANGELO: We're talking the world championship
here. There's a hundred press people in
there, and the Boxing Commission's
threatening a fine if you don't treat it
seriously. Please, Cash, please, no
theatrics...
PANEL 5 (SHOCK PANEL)
INT. WEIGH-IN ROOM - Clay bursts into the room, slamming his
walking stick on the floor, waving a fist -- the performance
has started! Sonny Liston stands on scale (218 lb),
glowering.
CLAY: FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY, STING LIKE A BEE!
PAGE 19
PANEL 1
NEW ANGLE - CHAOS - Liston makes threats, Clay makes threats;
people struggle to keep the fighters apart; a DOCTOR grapples
with Clay's wrist, checking his pulse; an OFFICIAL stands on
a chair, exclaiming to nobody in particular; somewhere, a
folding chair flies through the air; it seems that everybody
is in a confrontation with somebody else.
CAPTION: All hell breaks loose...
SFX: (assorted mayhem noises)
LISTON: (to Clay) You crazy #&*$ -- I'll kill
you!
CLAY: Get scared, chump! I'm ready to rumble!
DOCTOR: This man's heart is about to explode!
LISTON'S TRAINER: He's cracking up!
OFFICIAL: The Commission fines Cassius Clay $2,500!
CLAY: This is my DESTINY!
NOTE: Over next two panels reads: "THE FIGHT."
PANEL 2
CLAY - sits in his corner, scared. Angelo kneads his neck.
ANGELO: Stay away from his jab, Cash. It's
lethal. It can hurt you. Get around
that and he's yours...
PANEL 3
LISTON (MIRROR PANEL #2) - menacing. Trainer kneads his
neck.
TRAINER: Clay's afraid of you, champ. Shake him
up! Cut him down! Crush him! Pulverize
him! Mash him into dust!
PANEL 4
THE FIGHT - FULL SHOT - Both fighters throw deadly punches.
CAPTION: Round one...
SFX: (bell) CLANG!
LISTON: Uugghhh!
CLAY: Mmmphhh!
PANEL 5
SEVERAL TIGHT SHOTS - Punches land; sweat & spit spray; a
shiner under Liston's left eye; a bloody gash above the
other; (NOTE TO ARTIST: Keep individual fighter's shots to
side you depicted on Panel 4 to avoid reader confusion as to
who's eye, who's punch, etc.)
CAPTION: In the first three rounds Cassius hurts
Liston good. The contender's repeated
barrage of explosive combinations and
stiff, stinging jabs leave the champ
reeling for cover. Suddenly, midway
though the fourth round...
PANEL 6
VERY TIGHT ON CLAY'S FACE - Horrified. Eyes squinting.
CLAY: I'M BLIND!!!
SFX: (big letters) CLANGG!
PAGE 20
PANEL 1
THE FIGHT - CLAN AND ANGELO - in their corner. Clay is
panicking, his eyes all runny and bloodshot as Angelo flushes
them with water.
CLAY: My eyes are on fire! I can't see!
ANGELO: There's something in Cash's eyes!
CLAY: Stop the fight!
ANGELO: No! This is your chance -- Get back in
there and stay away from him!
SFX: CLANG
PANEL 2
ANGLE OUTSIDE RING - Angelo climbs down from corner, finds
TWO TOUGH MUSLIMS standing there. Malcolm X seated nearby.
CAPTION: But outside the ring there's equal
trouble...
MUSLIM: Hey, what're you doing to the brother's
eyes?
ANGELO: What are you guys, crackers? You think
I'm trying to sabotage the fight? I
threw water in his eyes. Sonny's got
antiseptic or something on his gloves
that's gotten into them and I've got to
flush 'em out. Now, stay out of my way!
MUSLIM: You'll be out of the way if we find out
different!
PANEL 3
THE FIGHT - Clay slamming blows into the wobbling Liston.
CAPTION: By the end of the fifth round Cassius'
eyes clear out. Once more, the fight
belongs to the contender.
SFX: (punches) Whomp Whomp Smack Crash
PANEL 4
SEVERAL INTENSE SHOTS - EYES - set in grim worry and
frightful expectation: Malcolm X's eyes; Angelo's eyes; the
two Black Muslims'; Spectators'.
CAPTION: His unrelenting flurries continue through
the sixth. All around, spectators rile
in ravenous expectation, glued to the
battle.
SFX: (from O.P.) Slam Whomp Whomp Crunch
PANEL 5
THE RING - Liston crumpled on his corner stool. The Referee
thrusts up Clay's hand. Clay holds title belt in the other.
CAPTION: Then, at the start of round seven...
REFEREE: Liston refuses to come out of his
corner -- Cassius Clay is the new
Heavyweight Champion!!!
CLAY: I AM KING -- I'M THE KIND OF THE WOR-R-
RLD!
PAGE 21
PANEL 1
INT. MOTEL ROOM - Malcolm X and Clay talking. THREE MUSLIMS
in room with them. It's "them" against Cassius.
CAPTION: That night, after the fight...
MALCOLM: Elijah's thinking is outdated. It's time
we take action, rise up and resume our
proper place in the world.
CLAY: Yes, there are injustices between our
peoples, but white babies aren't born
corrupt and prejudiced as you say.
MALCOLM: You can bind us, Cassius!
CLAY: I don't believe all white men are devils,
Malcolm. The Word teaches peace to all
men. What you propose isn't peace!
PANEL 2
NEW ANGLE - CLOSER
MALCOLM: Join me!
CLAY: No, brother -- my faith is my own. I'm
champion because of me! I made the
raucous that gave me my shot! Allah
didn't put me here to start no war! The
Nation of Islam already has a leader --
and you are not him!
PANEL 3
ELIJAH MUHAMMAD - Speaking animatedly before microphones.
ELIJAH: "Clay" is a name that has no divine
meaning. I hope he will accept being
called by a better name. Muhammad Ali is
what I will give him as long as he
believes in Allah and follows me!
PANEL 4
INT. PRESS CONFERENCE - Clay being interrogated by NEWSMEN.
NEWS 1: Cassius, are you now or have you ever
been a card-carrying member of the Black
Muslims?
CLAY: What does that mean? I believe in Allah
and I believe in peace.
NEWS 2: Why are you changing names then?
CLAY: "Cassius Clay" is a slave name. I'm no
longer a slave. Muhammad means, lord of
all things. Ali means, most high! Now,
I want you to respect my request and call
me by my new name, Muhammad Ali.
PANEL 5
INT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN - WIDE SHOT - The ring very small
in panel as ANNOUNCER takes the mic.
CAPTION: Less than a month later...
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, as president of
the Madison Square Boxing Association, it
gives me great pleasure to introduce a
member of our audience tonight, the
heavyweight champion of the world,
Cassius Clay!
PAGE 22
PANEL 1
NEW ANGLE - Cassius, now MUHAMMAD ALI (referred to as such
from here on), storms from ringside toward the exit.
ALI: I told you to call me by my true name,
Muhammad Ali. You can't respect my name,
I'll walk! I'm going away...
CROWD: Boooooo!
PANEL 2
ALI AND MOM & DAD -
ODELLA: Africa! GG, why do you want to go all
the way to Africa?
ALI: Mama, the black man who says he wants to
integrate gets beat up and shot. I say I
want to be with my own people and don't
want to integrate, they say I'm teaching
to hate!
CLAY SR. Those Muslims have done this. You got an
army of 'em wound so tight around you
there's no oxygen reaching your brain!
ALI: Truth is what's reached me, pop. The
truth about all the evil things the white
man has done to us is no less true than
what Hitler did to the Jews. It's not
hate to acknowledge that -- it's history!
Our history is driving me to Mekkah!
PANEL 3
INT. AFRICAN HOTEL LOBBY - Opulent. Ali and Entourage of
Black Muslims spot Malcolm X (bearded, carrying a staff,
wearing a white robe and looking like your basic messiah)
across the lobby. Heated glares between the two.
CAPTION: To Makkah Muhammad and his entourage
journey, Holy land of Islam. Macolm X,
distancing himself from the continued
tensions between he and Elijah, is here
on his own pilgrimage. The two men's
paths cross briefly...
ALI: What's Malcolm supposed to be, some kind
of prophet? Look at him, man, nobody
listens to Malcolm anymore!
SECOND CAPTION: The rift between them is set.
PANEL 4
ALI - on his knees, pleading to SONJI.
CAPTION: Upon returning to the U.S, Muhammad's
introduced to Nation sister, Sonji Roi.
ALI: You need me in your life, Sonji. Come on
and marry me!
BOTTOM CAPTION: They're married 41 days later.
PANEL 5
MALCOLM X - as bullets tears through his body.
CAPTION: On February 21, 1965, gunshots shatter
the night as Malcolm X addresses a crowd
of followers...
SFX: (gunfire) BLAM! BLAM!
PAGE 23
PANEL 1
MONTAGE ACROSS PAGE - FIRES RAGING AT NIGHT - Two structures,
the Muslim H.Q. in New York and Ali's apartment in Miami, are
ablaze. ALSO: A burning KKK cross with a couple hooded
members; a black fist raised in the sign of "Black Power"; a
Huey chopper in Vietnam; an armed National guardsman; and
some warped paisley (for shits & giggles) to top it off.
CAPTION: The incipient sparks of rage ignite a
firestorm across America. With the
murder of Malcolm X, along with Vietnam
body counts, LSD, the Beatles and Ku Klux
Klan, the Back Muslim movement is cast to
the forefront of the collective American
consciousness.
PANEL 2
A FIGHT - Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston going at it again.
CAPTION: In the midst of it all, despite repeated
threats to his life, Muhammad Ali
confronts mighty Sonny Liston for the
championship title rematch. Like the
first bout between them, Liston is the
odds favored fighter...
PANEL 3
THE FIGHT - LOW ANGLE - from the canvas where Sonny Liston
lays KO'd. Ali towers over him, fist drawn back and looking
very, very angry. REFEREE calls it.
CAPTION: One minute, forty-two seconds into the
first round...
ALI: Get up and fight, sucker!
REFEREE: ...9...10! Muhammad Ali!!!
BOTTOM CAPTION: The affirmation of Muhammad Ali
as Heavyweight Champion of the World is
undisputed.
PANEL 4
INT. KITCHEN - ALI - surrounded by his Black Muslim
entourage, is in heated argument with Sonji. She's livid.
CAPTION: His status on the homefront, however, is
another matter...
ALI: Shuttup, Sonji! The brothers are always
welcome in our home!
SONJI: Home?! This is a fat, open billfold to
them! The house is so full of them I'm
not sure which of you I married!
MUSLIM: She's bad for you, Muhammad...
ALI: Then consider yourself un-married!
PAGE 24
FULL PAGE MONTAGE
8 HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE BOUTS - In each, Ali inflicts serious
damage to the contender.
CAPTION: With Muhammad's marriage to Sonji
annulled, the challenges for the world
championship title begin...
FIGHT 1 - Ali vs. FLOYD PATTERSON.
CAPTION: Floyd Patterson, TKO'd.
FIGHT 2 - Ali vs. GEORGE CHUVALO.
CAPTION: Unanimous decision against George
Chuvalo.
FIGHT 3 - Ali vs. HENRY COOPER.
CAPTION: Henry Cooper TKO'd.
FIGHT 4 - Ali vs. BRIAN LONDON.
CAPTION: Brian London: knocked out.
FIGHT 5 - Ali vs. KARL MILDENBERGER
CAPTION: Karl Mildenberger: TKO
FIGHT 6 - Ali vs. CLEVELAND WILLIAMS
CAPTION: Cleveland Williams, TKO.
FIGHT 7 - Ali vs. ERNIE TERRELL
CAPTION: Ernie Terrell: Unanimous decision.
FIGHT 8 - Ali vs. ZORA FOLLEY
CAPTION: Zora Folley: Knock out.
ADDITIONAL CAPTION: ...Not one can de-throne the champ.
PAGE 25
PANEL 1
EXT. MILITARY INDUCTION CENTER - A row of INDUCTEES, Ali
among them, as a SERGEANT calls names from his roster. Lots
of MEDIA are here for what's coming next.
CAPTION: April, 1967, as the war in Vietnam
escalates...
SERGEANT: "Cassius Marcellus Clay," step forward
and report for active duty in the United
States Armed Forces.
ALI: On the basis of my religious beliefs, as
a minister of the religion of Islam, I
refuse!
SERGEANT: You have been drafted by your country to
fight in Vietnam and you are going to
fight!
ALI: I won't go.
PANEL 2
A DIAS - on which stand some OFFICIALS. One reads a
statement.
OFFCL: In light of his decision made public one
hour ago, the New York State Athletic
Commission is suspending the license, and
withdraws recognition of Cassius
Marcellus Clay, also known as Muhammad
Ali, as Heavyweight Champion of the
World!
PANEL 3
MEDIA CONFRONTING ALI -
MEDIA 1: Did Elijah Muhammad tell you to refuse
induction?
ALI: No, this is my decision. I'm doing what
my conscious tells me to do. People
dying in Vietnam is wrong. Killing is
wrong.
MEDIA 2: You broke the law! Aren't you concerned
about the federal indictment?
ALI: I'm a free man. I broke no law. I'm
dependent on Allah as the final judge of
my actions of conscience.
PANEL 4
INT. COURTROOM - JUDGE bangs a gavel as SPECTATORS react.
SFX: (gavel) BANG!
JUDGE: This federal court finds the defendant
guilty and sentences him to five years in
prison, with a fine of $10,000!
SPEC 1 Serves him right!
SPEC 2 Joe Louis wasn't yellah! He fought in
the Army!
PAGE 26
PANEL 1
EXT. PARK - Ali and a young woman, BELINDA, walk hand in
hand.
CAPTION: The decision is appealed, curtailing
Muhammad's having to serve jail time at
present. Still, life goes on for the
former champion. As does love...
ALI: Belinda, I think of what they done to the
baby Jesus, and I think what's become of
me, and maybe it does make some terrible
kid of sense.
BELINDA: The court disappointed you, not Allah.
Many great men have been tested for their
beliefs. When you pass this you'll be
stronger than ever. Truth will prevail.
PANEL 2
NEW ANGLE - CLOSER
ALI: You're a good Muslim sister. You are
going to marry me.
BELINDA: Yes.
ALI: Now, since it's unlikely I'll ever box
again I better figure out a way to earn
us a living.
PANEL 3
ALI AND ELIJAH - talking.
ELIJAH: A Muslim plays sports for his body and
mind, not for monetary gain. Your life
before joining the Nation allowed me to
exempt you from this rule. The world
knows how America has wronged you.
You'll never have to get in the ring
again. We will take care of you.
ALI: How?
PANEL 4
INT. AGENT'S OFFICE - An AGENT speaking with Ali.
AGENT: Lecture!
ALI: Can I pay the bills just talking?
AGENT: Muhammad, you have been the voice of
principle to the youth of America. They
want to hear what you have to say.
ALI: You really think they'll come, huh?
PANEL 5
INT. AUDITORIUM - Ali addresses from podium. The place
packed.
ALI: I am honored to be before such a high
seat of learning because I'm just a
boxer, and most boxers can't even talk!
ALI: (separate balloon) I mean, you couldn't
invite Joe Frazier or George Foreman
here!
CROWD: (laughs) Ha Ha Ha Ha
PAGE 27
PANEL 1
NEW ANGLE - CLOSER - Ali waving a finger, very emotional.
CAPTION: Jokes, however, are seldom the issue...
ALI: You read about dictatorships in other
countries where a man don't go along with
this or that and he's not allowed to earn
a decent living. Our power structure
won't give even a license for me to fight
an exhibition for charity!
HECKLER: Get off the stage, nigger draft-dodger!
PANEL 2
NEW ANGLE - CLOSE ON ALI -
ALI: When I was a boy I used to throw rocks at
a donkey. My grandma'd say to me,
"Cassius, don't throw no rocks at that
donkey 'cause someday that donkey's gonna
die and come back to haunt you."
ALI: (separate balloon) Ladies & gentlemen, I
know my grandma was right because that
ass is here tonight!
PANEL 3
CLOSE ON TV SCREEN - Ali answers questions.
HOST: Muhammad, honestly, would you be inclined
to get back into the ring?
ALI: If the money was right...
PANEL 4
ELIJAH MUHAMMAD - storms across the pulpit addressing his
Followers.
ELIJAH: Bloodmoney is for what Muhammad Ali has
allied himself with the enemy! He is a
fool who desires that which the Holy
Qur'an teaches against! From this day
forward he may not speak to, visit with,
or be seen with, any Muslim, or take part
in any Muslim religious activity for one
year! Until he proves himself worthy of
the name "Muhammad Ali," we will call him
"Cassius Clay!"
PANEL 5
INT. THEATER DRESSING ROOM - Ali opens the door to find JAMES
EARL JONES. A poster of the show hangs on the wall: "The
Great White Hope, starring James Earl Jones."
JONES: You saw the play tonight?
ALI: "The Great White Hope" is about me. The
only difference is I'm persecuted for my
religion. I want to say those lines...
PANEL 6
ALI PERFORMING ON EMPTY STAGE - He pounds his chest with his
fists as his audience, James Earl Jones, watches.
ALI: "Boom! Here I is! Boom! Here I is!"
JONES: You should be starring in this play!
PAGE 28
PANEL 1
A FIGHT - JOE FRAZIER in ring, holds up the title belt.
CAPTION: Then...
REFEREE: Joe Frazier, the new Heavyweight Champion
of the World!
PANEL 2
INT. BEDROOM - Ali slumped on bed, head in one hand, a copy
of Ring magazine in the other. Belinda comforts him.
BELINDA: Muhammad, you won your crown in the ring,
and you can lose it only in the ring.
ALI: No state will grant me a license.
BELINDA: You will fight again. You must.
PANEL 3
RONALD REAGAN - in his Governor's office, addresses a white
man name CONRAD, who holds a stack of petitions.
CAPTION: Meanwhile, the movement across the
country to restore the fallen champ's
honor continues.
CONRAD: Governor Reagan, the California Athletic
Commission has the votes to give Ali his
license. I'm begging you, grant him his
rightful place in the ring.
REAGAN: He's a draft dodger and a menace. He
will never fight in my state, period!
PANEL 4
SPLIT-PANEL PHONE CONVERSATION - FIRST: Conrad talking into
phone; SECOND: Ali, excited.
CAPTION: Finally...
CONRAD: Muhammad, Georgia's granted you a license
to fight. But it's not just one man
you'll be fighting --
ALI: I'll be fighting the system. If I lose,
I won't be free for the rest of my life!
PANEL 5
SHOCK PANEL - Ali lands a punch above his OPPONENT'S eyes
that, literally, expose bone beneath!
CAPTION: Despite Justice Department attempts to
curtail Ali's comeback, the former champ
returns in a 10-round non-title bout
against Jerry Quarry. The world watches.
SFX: (the punch) CRASHHHH!
BOTTOM CAPTION: Ali wins in three.
PANEL 6
ALI - drenched in sweat, shakes a fist.
ALI: Let me at Joe Frazier!
PAGE 29
PANEL 1
NEWSPAPER HEADLINE: "Frazier and Ali to receive $2.5 million
each for fight at Madison Square Garden".
CAPTION: Nearly five months and a handful of
undefeated bouts later, the biggest fight
in boxing history is in the making.
PANEL 1-A
RINGSIDE - FRANK SINATRA - takes pictures of the fight. A
NEWSMAN reacts to him. (NOTE: They're in pressbox.)
NEWSMAN: Frank Sinatra -- You're not allowed in
the pressbox!
FRANK: I'm taking pictures of the fight for Life
magazine, bozo!
PANEL 2
THE FIGHT (MONTAGE ACROSS) - Ali and Frazier damn near kill
one another. The progression of violent shots also convey
the swollen, bloody mess each one's face becomes. In 2nd to
final SHOT, Ali is down. The FINAL SHOT, he's up like
lightning, exchanging blows with Frazier.
CAPTION: Madison Square Garden: March 8, 1971.
Fifteen of the most extraordinarily hard-
fought round ever witnessed begin.
SEPARATE CAPTION: Ali goes down in Round 15.
SEPARATE CAPTION: An instant later, he's up again,
trading blows as fierce as ever.
SEPARATE CAPTION: When it's over, Frazier is
the World Heavyweight Champion by
decision...
PANEL 3
INT. FRAZIER LOCKER ROOM - Frazier's face is nearly
unrecognizable. He's slumped next to a sink full of ice.
His DOCTOR (seen in mirror) holds a lethal looking syringe.
DOCTOR: This'll stop the pain, Joe.
FRAZIER: You go tell... tell that mouthy hypocrite
... get in here & crawl on the floor like
he said if I beat him... More than
winning the title... I beat Muhammad Ali!
PANEL 4
INT. ALI LOCKER ROOM - Ali's in no better shape than Frazier.
Angelo and somebody else help him into his clothes. They
have to lift his arms for him.
ANGELO: C'mon Cash, we gotta get your face x-
rayed.
ALI: Way back... joggin' on the street before
I went to the Olympics... a man hit me...
ALI: (separate balloon) He said I weren't no
champion of nothin'... But I know why Got
put me here...
PANEL 5
NEW ANGLE - VERY CLOSE ON ALI'S FACE - enraged.
ALI: I want my title back!
PANEL 6
INT. SUPREME COURT - A JUDGE bangs the gavel.
CAPTION: Three months later...
JUDGE: The U.S. Supreme Court overturns the
criminal conviction of Mr. Muhammad Ali!
PAGE 30
PANEL 1
A FIGHT - ALI VS. FOREMAN - The two men landing punches, Ali
talking away.
CAPTION: Joe Frazier is KO'd by George Foreman in
1973 and the title changes hands. By
1974, Muhammad Ali, at age 34, fights his
way to another shot at the championship.
ALI: You're too clumsy! I'm the champ, not
you! Me!
BOTTOM CAPTION: In a major upset he defeats
Foreman to capture the title a second
time.
PANEL 2
A FIGHT - "THE THRILLA IN MANILLA" banner hangs somewhere in
scene. Ali and Frazier pounding one another.
CAPTION: After three undefeated challenges, in
October 1975, the long-awaited
internationally anticipated re-match
between Ali and Frazier takes place in
the Philippines.
ALI: I'll teach you how to crawl!
BOTTOM CAPTION: Frazier is TKO'd in 15.
PANEL 3
THE RING - AFTER FIGHT - REF holds up LEON SPINKS' arms
(obviously the winner) while Ali, in B.G., glowers.
CAPTION: Seven fights later, Leon Spinks defeats
Ali in a split-decision upset, February
of 1978.
ALI: You ain't no champion!
PANEL 4
REMAINDER OF PAGE - Ali looking as fit as he ever has stands
on a hill like some messiah, arms outstretched, overlooking
the thousands of adoring faces below. Faces of all races.
The CAPTIONS are small and floating.
CAPTION: By September, Ali again faces off with
Spinks.
SEPARATE CAPTION: 15 bouts later, for the first
and only time in history, one man
captures the heavyweight title for an
unbelievable third time.
SEPARATE CAPTION: At 36 years of age, Muhammad Ali,
formerly Cassius Marcellus Clay, a man of
spiritual fortitude, a man of ideals, a
man of inexorable conviction, but a mere
man just the same, is truly, at last...
BIG BOLD LETTERS BENEATH ALI: CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!
THE END