Group A Post 3
In “Requiem for the heavyweights” McIlvanney writes on the fight between Frazier and Ali. This fight is important because it marks the end of the rivalry between two of the greatest heavyweight fighters. Ali has beaten Frazier, leaving him as the champion. Frazier at the time is about to retire from all the wear and tear to his body. Ali only has so long before he must retire too. McIlvanney speculates that this would be Ali’s last great fight because Ali has exhausted his opponents after beating Frazier and Foreman. The next time Ali could get a chance to prove himself again will be when he is too old. McIvanney makes a joke that Ali might retire and make more money funding an export business.
This gets at the heart of what an athlete is. The goal of the athlete is to prove himself through _athlon_ and _ergon_. Athlon refers to the contest and ergon refers to the mutual struggle. As explained in “Requiem for the heavyweights” the Thrilla in Manila was more than competing for a title or a prize (the athlon); it was Ali and Frazier finding purpose in themselves. Ali after the match congratulated Frazier and said, “Joe Frazier is a real, real fighter. He is the toughest man in the world” (McIlvanney). Clearly, there is a mutual benefit of these competitions. Regardless of who wins, the athletes can prove that they competed at their best and stack themselves against each other. Competitions also represent a path toward sophrosune. Joe hoped that “his feud with Ali had exhausted itself of bitterness” (McIvanney) because the match settled all their feelings.
Furthermore, McIvanney’s joke about Ali turning to export is similar to Hieron of Pindar’s odes. Hieron is noted for becoming the most successful athlete turned politician because he had already proved himself with the chariot race. It only makes sense when competitions are reserved for proving yourself when you are young. It’s not for people who’s glory has past them or people who have no fame yet.
This gets at the heart of what an athlete is. The goal of the athlete is to prove himself through _athlon_ and _ergon_. Athlon refers to the contest and ergon refers to the mutual struggle. As explained in “Requiem for the heavyweights” the Thrilla in Manila was more than competing for a title or a prize (the athlon); it was Ali and Frazier finding purpose in themselves. Ali after the match congratulated Frazier and said, “Joe Frazier is a real, real fighter. He is the toughest man in the world” (McIlvanney). Clearly, there is a mutual benefit of these competitions. Regardless of who wins, the athletes can prove that they competed at their best and stack themselves against each other. Competitions also represent a path toward sophrosune. Joe hoped that “his feud with Ali had exhausted itself of bitterness” (McIvanney) because the match settled all their feelings.
Furthermore, McIvanney’s joke about Ali turning to export is similar to Hieron of Pindar’s odes. Hieron is noted for becoming the most successful athlete turned politician because he had already proved himself with the chariot race. It only makes sense when competitions are reserved for proving yourself when you are young. It’s not for people who’s glory has past them or people who have no fame yet.
I think your connection between Ali and Hieron is very interesting because it connects both the works and the continuation of the idea across different time periods. Often, athleticism gets people glory and once they have that power, they can do whatever they want, such as exports or politics. Youth also has a lot to do with this because that is when they are best for fighting, and winning at a young age often sets up athletes, both modern day and from the past, for a lifetime of glory.
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