Knowing When to Fight, Knowing When to Run

Guest Opinion

By Isiah Smith, Jr. | July 13, 2024

The aging fighter, legs apart, knees bent, massive brown shoulders squared, eyes focused on the brooding brown visage before him. He unleashes a right cross with bad intentions, his favorite punch, in the general direction of his younger opponent. He has executed this many times before, and this is just another routine pugilistic move, he thinks, which has consistently brought predictable results, leaving his opponents defenseless.

It was a textbook punch, one he had practiced countless times in the gym. He is confident it will find its target and bring grave harm to his opponent.

But this time is different. This time, his favorite punch finds only air and misses the younger fighter’s face by a mile. His opponent grins condescendingly; a smirk dances across his face as he proceeds to pummel the older fighter with savage ease, driving him into the ropes. Those watching at the ringside later report that the punches that bounced off the aging champion’s once beautiful head made a sound reminiscent of a sledgehammer smashing a watermelon.

The aging champion’s face carried a mixture of pain, shock, and disbelief. Early in his career, when he was still young, spry, and pretty, people called him “The Greatest,” a label he wore proudly and embraced utterly. Now, they watch with pathetic empathy, knowing that time spares no one, not even the greatest, and our youth has a date stamp.

What once was magic had suddenly turned tragic. The torrent of time took center stage, exerting its relentless will.

He’s the greatest no more, and the fight ends mercifully 10 rounds later, with the old man hanging on the ropes, defenseless, as the younger fighter administered a beating the likes of which is seldom seen at the professional level because most professional fighters, even if mediocre fighters, still retained the ability to defend themselves. But not now, not this time; too many years separated the aging fighter from his prime and his new pitiful reality.

An adage in boxing holds that on any night, a boxer may find himself inexplicably and unavoidably aged, betrayed by Father Time.

Having blithely ignored all the evidence that his skills had faded, he stood unmasked and defenseless. In the tenth round, Muhammad Ali’s trainer, Angelo Dundee, stopped the fight against Ali’s wishes and that of the other cornerman, Bundini Brown, and gave Larry Holmes the win via technical knockout.

Incredibly, Ali still fought his 61st and last fight on October 8, 1981, against Trevor Berbick and doctor’s orders, losing unanimously in 10 rounds at Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, Nassau, Bahamas. Whoever sanctioned those fights should have been charged with crimes against nature!

The Washington Post reported on Saturday, July 6, 2024, “A defiant Biden doubles down on staying in the race.” Each day brought a pathetic effort to prove he was fit to lead the nation for another four years. You probably are not if you have to prove you are fit continuously! Sadly, only his most delusional and devoted supporters can conclude the man is up to leading these disunited states.

Being the “leader of the free world” requires high energy and strenuous efforts. At six and three years younger than the two major presidential candidates, respectively, I can attest to the diminution of my energies. Like others before me, I have had to modify my gym efforts, hang up my running shoes, and allow more time for recovery after an intense workout session.

And I am not responsible for the nuclear codes and the welfare of 300+ millions of Americans! Nor would I crave those extraordinary responsibilities.

Hubris and lack of humility have failed men and women in all professions. Acknowledging the passage of time can be challenging, even when its reality stares one in the face with impunity.

Oscar Brown, Jr. made the most penetrating observation of the aging process when he wrote: “Ah, but the hottest fever cools / Those who don’t face that fact are fools / For like all men time overrules”.

Two men well past their best days now compete to lead one of the world’s largest, most complex, multicultural nations. Nobody paying attention and relying on critical thinking skills to form judgments could believe that either man is up to the job.

In the case of our presidential contest, the fate of millions of Americans and billions of people worldwide hangs in the balance. Whoever is responsible for pushing these two older adults onto the international stage in their current and prominent dotage should be charged with elder abuse!

As we move forward from this election, let’s hope for a future where we are no longer susceptible to the allure of narcissistic power grabs. Instead, look forward to responsible candidates prioritizing the people’s interests over their own. The need for accountable leadership must be balanced. Remember, your vote is your power, and it’s crucial to elect leaders who will serve the people.

Pass the torch, Joe! Please!

Isiah Smith, Jr. is a retired government attorney.