'Muhammad and Larry'

I got a chance to see the advance screening of this tonight presented by ESPN as one of the 30 for 30 series they are producing. It takes place in 1980 and recaps the fight between Muhammad Ali, two years retired at the time, versus Larry Holmes, Ali's former sparing partner.
The film never got released to the public because nobody was interested in airing it, so the cinematographers Albert and David Maysles shelved it until someone wanted to show it. Tonight the film was screened with added footage taken place in the last few years with interviews and a round table discussion about the effects of the fight with boxing writers from that day. All in all I felt moved by the style and grace of the film and boxers for their professionalism and character. They loved the sport and were willing to give everything for it because it meant that much to them as athletes and friends.
The portrait is sad at times for its realism of the subject matter, but the brutality is overshadowed by the quality of people Muhammad and Larry were then and now, and Larry was present at the screening to discuss what he thought of the film as well as the fight itself.
He loved the pace of it all and appreciated recognition for being a heavyweight champion, because as a boxer he doesn't get much attention for being the man who defeated the legend. He is a quality boxer and has deserved a lot in his life, but never asked for it and never tried to change the imprint the fight had on his life. He knew then what was going to happen in the ring and still went ahead because that is what he does, just like Ali does.
Afterward I shook Larry's hand and told him that I heard about him growing up but never was able to put an accurate photo with the name, but after seeing the film I will never forget his name and what he did for boxing in the the best way possible. He smiled and shrugged it off, but I hope he know that this film is going to cement his career as the epitome of what a boxer should be and one of the best that ever went in the ring.