THE MAIN EVENT

 CONN SMYTHE  vs. MUHAMMAD ALI

Last month, PBS aired the documentary, Muhammad Ali. It is directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon.

Of particular interest is the second episode, Round Two: What's My Name? (1964-1970). It includes a segment on the heavyweight fight between Ali and George Chuvalo at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Events leading up to the fight had a ripple affect that resulted in a Toronto hockey legend, Conn Smythe, taking a stand and not budging from same.

The "What's My Name?" in the title pertains to Ali changing his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali. On March 6, 1964, the head of the Black Muslims, Elijah Muhammad, made the announcement that Cassius Clay would now be known as Muhammad Ali. Earlier, Clay, in accordance with his new faith, took the name Cassius X, but was thrilled with the change by Elijah Muhammad. "I am honored," said Ali upon hearing the news.

While Ali welcomed his new name, many inside and outside of the boxing world, refused to acknowledge or call him by his Muslim name. On every occasion when someone refused to address him as Ali, he would correct them and not let it slide. For opponents in the squared ring, who didn't call him Ali, they faced a ferocious physical assault and a fierce taunt from Ali asking them "What's my name?" 

Embroiled in hostilities with Vietnam, the war put Muhammad Ali and his religious convictions in conflict with the United States government. As a Muslim, he sought to have his draft status changed in March 1966, on the basis he was a conscientious objector. As Ali stated, "I got no quarrel with the Viet Congs. Why should I be drafted? These Viet Congs are fighting a very nasty war. There's a lot of people over there getting killed." 

With most Americans supporting the war, statements like this one made by Ali, didn't endure him with the public. And, it didn't sit well with various Athletic Commissioners across the States. A purposed March 29, 1966, tilt between Ali and heavyweight champion Ernie Terrell was rejected by a number of commissioners, including those in the boxing hotbeds of New York and Chicago. It was originally scheduled to be held in Chicago. Also, it was turned down by the city of Montreal.

On March 7, 1966, came the news the Ali-Terrell fight would take place at Maple Leaf Gardens. "The fight will take place in our building, unless there is disproval from the Ontario government," stated Maple Gardens vice-president Harold Ballard. "We're aware the fight is on the run, but by holding it here we've got a chance to replace Madison Square Garden as the site of big indoor bouts."

The next day, Leslie Rowntree, the labour minister for Ontario, sanctioned the fight. "This application is in order and complies with all the regulations of the Province which permit and control professional boxing," Rowntree told the press.

However, the heavyweight title bout was down for the count when Ernie Terrell pulled out because he didn't like his deal with Maple Leaf Gardens and Bob Arum of Main Bouts Inc. The current World Boxing Association champ was upset with changes related to the live gate guarantee, ancillary rights and expense money. "In the new contract, there is no guarantee," said Terrell. "I haven't received any expense money and Maple Leaf Gardens wants me to sign a contract whereby I would have to fight George Chuvalo two months later for Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto."

Just as quickly as Terrell dropped out, George Chuvalo signed a contract on March 11 to fight Ali at the Gardens. Chuvalo was represented by Irv Ungerman. "George has been training for three weeks, but not the way he would for a big fight," said Ungerman. "Now we have to get sparring partners and get to work in earnest by Monday."

What the Ken Burns documentary didn't mention was the huge impact the fight had on the inner workings of Maple Leaf Gardens Limited. Upon being advised of the Gardens' involvement, Conn Smythe put the wheels in motion to leave the company. 

Smythe and his associates purchased the Toronto St Patricks in February of 1927 and changed the team's name to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Their next order of business was to construct a new edifice for the Leafs to play in and host other sports and entertainment events.

Maple Leaf Gardens, often referred to as "The House Smythe Built," first opened its doors on November 12, 1931, when the Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Chicago Black Hawks. Smythe and J.P. Bickell were the driving forces behind the construction of the hockey palace on Carlton Street in downtown Toronto. It was an amazing feat that the building was put up in five months during the harsh depression of the 1930s. 

Right from the start, Smythe and his hockey team thrived in their new home. On April 9, 1932, they captured their first Stanley Cup at the Gardens. Under Smythe's supervision, they went on to win six (1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949 & 1951) Stanley Cups.

Smythe's rein as the ultimate hockey boss of the Leafs ended in 1957, and a review of the minutes of a board of directors meeting provided the details on the new hockey department set-up. At a board meeting on May 9, 1957, Smythe presented the following resolution: "That the Board of Directors approve the appointment of a Hockey Committee to consist of Messrs. John Bassett, Ian S. Johnston, Stafford Smythe, G. Gardiner, W. Hatch, G. Mara and J. Amell, to operate the hockey part of the Maple Leaf Gardens' business with respect to personnel, organization, operation and policy, but that the financial end will be the direct responsibility of the Board of Directors."

In November 1961, Smythe put further distance between himself and Maple Leaf Gardens Limited, when he sold his shares in the company to his son, Stafford Smythe. In the minutes of the board meeting on November 23, 1961, it reveals that Smythe went a step further: "... He, therefore tendered his resignation as President and Managing Director and coupled it with the nomination of Mr. Stafford Smythe to succeed him ..."

This didn't spell the end of Conn Smythe's tenure with the Gardens. After informing the board of his stock dump and packing in his job as president and managing director, the board moved to keep Conn Smythe in the fold. The minutes from the November 23 document what was up next for the elder Smythe: "Mr. Stafford Smythe then stated that he and his associates Mr. Bassett and Mr. Ballard, would like to nominate Mr. Conn Smythe to be Chairman of the Board, and Col. MacBrien to be Honorary Chairman. Col. MacBrien resigned as Chairman of the Board and on motion, unanimously passed, Mr. Conn Smythe was elected to the office of Chairman of the Board and Col. MacBrien was appointed to the office of Honorary Chairman."

Perhaps more than hockey, Conn Smythe's love for his country is what drove him as a person. His life in the military began on October 19, 1915, when he signed his Attestation papers to participate in World War One. It contained the following oath: 

I, Conn Smythe, do make Oath, that I will be faithful and bear Allegiance to His Majesty King George the Fifth, His Heirs and Successors, and that I will as in duty bound honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, in Person, Crown and Dignity, against all enemies, and I will observe and obey all orders of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, and all of the Generals and Officers set over me. So help me God.

During World War Two, Smythe encouraged everyone associated with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Maple Leaf Gardens to join a military outfit. He came to the realization that this included himself. Smythe explained his position in his 1981memoir, If You Can't Beat 'Em in the Alley:

For years I had been talking to hockey players in military terms - telling them what real soldiers were like, how much they would do for their team, how much they'd give, and how brave they had to be to survive, when war came I had to face that. Had I been talking fiction or fact? Was I a fraud or did I live up to my own principles? I had made myself out to be a warrior and tried to make my players be warriors too. I thought it was up to me to lead by example.

At the age of 46, Smythe formed a Sportsmen's Battery to take overseas. As the name indicates, it was composed mainly of people from the sports world. On September 5, 1941, with Conn Smythe as the commanding officer, the 30th Battery became active with the 7th Toronto Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery.

The 30th Battery, eventually made its way to Caen in France. On July 25, 1944, the unit came under attack and Smythe suffered a severe back injury when hit by piece of shrapnel. As Smythe put it, "The jagged piece of metal that apparently had done all the damage was still sticking quite a way out of my back." The pain remained with Smythe for the balance of his life.

With a past dedicated to service and principles based on the oath he took in 1915, Conn Smythe was livid when Harold Ballard and the Gardens agreed to be part of the boxing match that included Muhammad Ali.

The stark contrast between Smythe and Ali couldn't be any wider. These men were from very different generations; Smythe, though older than the normal age guideline, was part of the great generation that fought in World War Two; Ali was part of the silent generation, which incorporated the civil rights movement. Smythe's and Ali's deep rooted convictions were based on their social conditions, environment and faith. In the case of Ali, his Muslim faith played a huge part in his pursuit of an exemption from military service. 

Smythe was a decorated veteran, who fought in two World Wars, while Ali was trying to avoid the draft.

Under these circumstances, Conn Smythe, while on vacation in Florida, called John Bassett, who was now chairman of the board. As Bassett noted in a statement, "Col. Smythe phoned me on Monday morning (March 7) to say that if the fight went forward, he was so upset he would resign."

Smythe recalled his conversation with Bassett in his book. "This fight has been kicked out of every place in the U.S. because Clay is a draft dodger and a disgrace to his country. The Gardens was founded by men - sportsmen - who fought for their country. It is no place for those who want to evade conscription in their own country. The Gardens was built for many things, but not for picking up things that no one else wants."

The next day, Smythe sent a telegram to Bassett and repeated his intention to resign if the fight wasn't cancelled. Bassett took the position that Smythe only offered his resignation and at this point, the board wasn't accepting the offer. 

Another factor that bugged Smythe was the fact the content of the telegram was released. "I did not intend this wire to be made public because I didn't want to fight the case in the newspapers,"said Smythe. "I'd like to know how Mr. Bassett released it." The fact it was public knowledge left Smythe with limited options and he decided, as one expected, to voice his concerns through the media.

On March 8, 1966, Smythe took part in several interviews with the press. And he first addressed his offer to resign moving forward. "I intent to take proper steps to make it stand. I cannot go along with the policy of present management to put cash ahead of class. A fight that isn't good enough for Chicago or Montreal certainly isn't good enough for Maple Leaf Gardens." 

During another interview, Smythe continued his attack. "The Maple Leafs used to lead in class, but they have resorted to the slick and smart and the dollar conscious approach."

This reference to the almighty dollar approach mentioned by Smythe was a direct shot taken at Harold Ballard. At that time, Ballard was more involved in the business side of the Gardens than in the hockey operations. "If the commissioner considers it acceptable and it is approved by a minister of the crown, who are we to sit in judgement and say 'no,'" Ballard stated in defence of Maple Leaf Gardens. 

True to his word, Conn Smythe sent his letter of resignation on March 25, 1966, to John Bassett.

The covering letter reads as follows: "Enclosed find my formal letter of resignation from the Board of Maple Leaf Gardens, Limited, as requested by you on the 14 instant. I have decided to appear personally before the Board and will move myself that this resignation be accepted now, to take effect on April 2, 1966. Yours very truly, Conn Smythe." 

The official letter of resignation reads as follows: "I hereby tender my resignation to the Board of Directors of Maple Leaf Gardens, Limited, and request that this be accepted at the meeting of the Directors to be held on March 30, 1966, to take effect April 2. Yours truly, Conn Smythe.

Here are both letters. Click to enlarge.

A press report after the board meeting on March 30, 1966, confirmed that Smythe refused to reconsider his resignation. For good measure, he lofted one more grenade. "I can't condone anybody taking money out of Canada, when they don't show any patriotism to their own country."

As for the fight, Ali emerged with an unanimous decision over Chuvalo. Jack Silvers, the referee of the bout, was asked, "Did Clay throw his best punches?" He replied, "He threw his whole arsenal and Chuvalo took it."

The hardest punch of all landed on Conn Smythe, but it didn't drop him to the canvass. Smythe held his ground, but it came with a high cost. For the first time since 1927, he was no longer a part of the Toronto Maple Leafs.