The standing of Cassius Clay, world's heavyweight boxing”
istration fight fans, while reaching a new high among Americans © oppesed to the war in Vietnam, when he refused to back down on his objection to being given:a1-A draft. classification that would make it possible to induct-him into the army. og «When told about his new draft .status, the famed fighter said, "I'm a’member of the-Black Muslims and. we don't go to wars unless they are declared by Allah himself....1 don't. have no personal quarrel with those : Vietcong. " 7
‘Boxing. officials in Tllinois tried to: ‘get ‘him to apologize February 25 for his “unpatriotic remarks.". Clay turned them down, | saying, "Im not here to make a showdown plea or apologize, the way the press said I would."
Attorney General William C. Clark thereupon stated that Clay's next bout, scheduled to be held in Chicago March 29, would be “illegal" under the circumstances.
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