This week is the 70th birthday of the greatest sport's man of
all time, Muhammad Ali.
It is indeed our privilege to have had him as a role model and
inspiration in our lifetime.
Muhammad Ali was the third of three ground breaking and
brilliant, black heavyweight world champions. Ali followed Joe
Louis, and Joe Louis followed Jack Johnson. These three
unforgettable heavyweights, who in their time and in their own
distinct ways, made huge impact worldwide.
Jack Johnson was the first black heavyweight champion, and it
took 22 years before the second black heavyweight champion, the
'Brown Bomber' Joe Louis. These two outstanding fighters paved the
way for Muhammad Ali.
Muhammad broke the mould for heavyweights, and fought much more
like Sugar Ray Robinson, "floating like a butterfly and stinging
like a bee".
I was mesmerised when watching Ali when I was a youngster, and
you couldn't help but notice his massive confidence and
self-belief.
He could inspire anyone and everyone.
When I told my father I wanted to be a boxer. He got me videos
of Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Pep, Henry Armstrong and the man
himself, Ali. He said I needed to watch the very best, and I did
just that.
To be the best you have to learn from the best and many of these
great fighters inspired Ali himself.
He was more than just a fighter. He represented many of those
who had little representation during the civil rights struggles of
America in the 1960's.
Ali also stood his ground for his religious beliefs, choosing
provocatively and bravely, not to go to war for America. He
famously said "why would I kill people who look like me for the man
who calls me a nigga at home".
It took a very strong man to make that stand, and in the end it
was proven to be the right move, as the nation turned against the
government and the unjust war in Vietnam.
Muhammad Ali who is known as "the Greatest" was born Cassius
Marcellus Clay on January 17th 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. He has
fifty six victories in sixty one bouts with thirty
seven KO's.
Muhammad Ali had memorable fights with Joe Frazier, George
Foreman and Sonny Liston. The 'Thriller in Manila', 'The Rumble in
the Jungle' and 'The Fight of the Century' will forever be
remembered.
Joe Frazier, Ali's nemesis recently died at the age of
67. They will forever be linked together.
Muhammad Ali trained at Gleason's gym in Brooklyn, New York City
where I base my training camp. It is continuously inspiring to
train at a gym where Ali once put in the hard work that helped him
become the legend he is today.
Ali is loved all over the world. Kids who were not born whilst
he was fighting are still inspired by him. He was the most special
of talents, and a wonderful human being with a big and generous
heart.
The heavyweight division is in a disgraceful state at the
minute. Our current heavyweight 'champions' would not have been
good enough to have been Ali's sparring partner, let alone
rival.
Happy Birthday Muhammad Ali - you are the absolute greatest.
19/01/2012 21:17:28