When Cassius Clay boasted “I am the greatest,” in 1963 he wasn’t even the world heavyweight boxing champion, but few would dare to argue against the statement.
Yesterday in Phoenix, Arizona, Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay) died from respiratory failure aged 74, ending a charismatic lifetime where the majority of sports fans around the world would readily agree he was indeed the greatest.
He was the boxing equivalent of Don Bradman in cricket, Rod Laver in tennis, Michael Phelps in swimming, Michael Jordan in basketball, Jack Nicklaus in golf, Wayne Gretzky in ice hockey, and Kelly Slater in surfing.
Yet this superb athlete spent the latter half of his life suffering debilitating Parkinson’s Disease – he didn’t deserve to suffer so much.
It would take a column longer than “War and Peace” to do justice to the life of Muhammad Ali – three times world heavyweight boxing champion, four times married with seven sons, and two daughters.
The Melbourne Cup stops the nation on the first Tuesday in November, but whenever Muhammad Ali fought he stopped the world.
Countless thousands of men and boys around the globe called in sick to stay at home to watch him live on television – that was a given.
There are three stunning highlights that will live in my memory – the Rumble in the Jungle, the Thrilla in Manilla, and lighting the Olympic Games cauldron.
The Rumble was Ali’s eighth round knock out in 1974 of defending champion George Foreman in Zaire that was fought at 3am to slot in with prime time television in the USA – Don King’s first promotion.
The Thrilla was in 1975 against Joe Frazier, that ended in a TKO at the end of the 14th round with Frazier a bloodied mess.
And lighting the cauldron at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta with his left arm shaking and his body trembling from Parkinson’s Disease, yet the great man had the courage to get the job done – it was numbing to watch.
His quotes over the years have been cemented in folklore – here’s a small sample:
“Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up.”
“I’ve seen George Foreman shadow box, and the shadow won.”
“If you even dream of beating me you had better wake up and apologise.”
“I’m young, I’m handsome, and I’m fast – I can’t possibly be beat.”
“I float like a butterfy and sting like a bee, your hands can’t hit what the eyes can’t see.”
“I’m the most recognised and loved man on earth.”
And to close, I’ll let Muhammad Ali have the last prophetic say.
“Live everyday as if it were your last because one day you’re going to be right.”
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
The lighting of the cauldron in Atlanta... oh Ali, the greatest.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Agreed Jimmmy. Boxers have come and gone. Some were arguably better fighters, few were better boxers, and fewer were the number who got into the ring with him without some fear in their minds. He gave a legitimacy to the sport, to the struggle of the individual against oppression, and hope and example to the black population of the USA and gradually, the world. His was probably better-loved outside the USA, initially, where we could appreciate his humour, intelligence, wit, without the static of racial prejudices that he experienced at home (pretty amazing in Australia, where the white Australia policy was still evident in the national psyche). To my mind, he was the most adaptable boxer I have ever seen -- capable of changing his fighting style and technique to suit his changing body, and to outwit his opponents' tactics. Like all people, he had his problems and weaknesses, but he was a great athlete, and an even greater man.
Jimmmy
Guest
I am an Ali tragic . I cannot believe he has gone . He was the first true international sports star. I will spend the rest of the weekend watching his fights and remembering what an athlete he was.
MH01
Guest
What a legend. Was shocked to wake up to the news. Thoughts to the family, he will be remembered as one of the greatest athletes . Some awesome one liners also :)