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Is Muhammad Ali finally on the ropes?

4th February, 2013
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Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has passed away at age 74. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)
Expert
4th February, 2013
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The international wires ran hot yesterday with the news that 71-year-old Muhammad Ali was losing his battle with Parkinson’s Disease. The greatest heavyweight boxing champion of all time has been a sufferer since 1984.

Family and close friends have denied the rumours, but where there’s smoke there’s fire.

There’s always been a raging debate as to where the Cassius Clay-born Ali stands in the pecking order of the greatest sportsmen to ever grace the earth.

For mine, he’s right up there with the likes of Jesse Owens, Rod Laver, Jack Nicklaus, Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretsky, Michael Phelps, and, of course, The Don.

Six Kentucky, two national Golden Gloves, and a light-heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics, beating Australian Tony Madigan in the semi by a close points decision, were the launching pads to a glittering 61 professional fight career with 56 wins 37 by knockout, 19 decisions, and just five losses to Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks, Larry Holmes, and Trevor Berbick.

Three of those losses were in Ali’s last four fights as the early signs of Parkinson’s Disease surfaced.

But Ali will be remembered for the two awesome back-to-back confrontations with Sonny Liston in 1964 and 1965, the “Fight of the Century” with Frazier in 1971, the “Rumble in the Jungle” with George Foreman in 1974, and the “Thrilla in Manila” with Frazier in 1975.

Each one of them were epics, which makes the current heavyweight division look like novices.

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Ali will be remembered for not only his superb boxing ability, but also his showmanship and his high intelligence, born out by some of his quotes:

“I hated every minute of training, but I said to myself, “Don’t quit. suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion”.

“Don’t count the days, make the days count”.

“Silence is golden when you can’t think of an answer”.

“Boxing is just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand, I beat people up”.

“Superman doesn’t need a seat-belt”.

“To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you’re not, pretend you are”.

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And probably the most telling quote at this time.

“Live every day as if it were your last because someday you’re going to be right”.

May that day be a long way away for Muhammad Ali.

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