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Home » Ali Family respond to Trump offer: ‘There’s no conviction to pardon’

Ali Family respond to Trump offer: ‘There’s no conviction to pardon’

Trump recently spent time with Sylvester Stallone, Deontay Wilder and Lennox Lewis in Washington as he confirmed a pardon for ex-heavyweight champion Jack Johnson – and wanted do similar for Ali.

In 1967, Ali was charged with draft-dodging after failing to enlist for the Vietnam War and spent three years out of the ring despite avoiding jail time.

“He was not very popular then; his memory is very popular now. I’m thinking about Muhammad Ali. I’m thinking about that very seriously,” said Trump.

Two years on from Ali’s death, Trump was offering a posthumous wiping of the slate as the former Apprentice TV star continues his campaign on boxing royalty.

In response, Ali Family lawyer Ron Tweel said: “We appreciate President Trump’s sentiment, but a pardon is unnecessary.

“The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the conviction of Muhammad Ali in a unanimous decision in 1971.

“There is no conviction from which a pardon is needed,” he added.

Ali made a successful comeback from his exile, winning the world title two more times before retiring in the 1980’s.