Sports Eye
Remembering Muhammad Ali
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
WORLD boxing is in mourning during these days over the passing of former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, 74, considered by many as the world’s greatest boxer of all times. Like many others, he was also my all-time boxing hero since he won the light heavyweight gold medal in 1960 Rome Olympics. Yes, I also mourned, wore all-black mourning outfit to express my sorrow over his death.
WORLD boxing is in mourning during these days over the passing of former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, 74, considered by many as the world’s greatest boxer of all times. Like many others, he was also my all-time boxing hero since he won the light heavyweight gold medal in 1960 Rome Olympics. Yes, I also mourned, wore all-black mourning outfit to express my sorrow over his death.
Honestly, I failed to watch his early fights when he turned professional but I never missed watching all his big battles on television since he became a world challenger and until he became a champion demolishing all the big names in world boxing like Henry Cooper, Joe Bugner, Chuck Wepner, Cleveland Williams, Richard Dunn, Ernie Terrell, Brian London, Doug Jones, Jimmy Young, Ernie Shavers, Ken Norton, Ron Lyle, Karl Mildenberger, Bob Foster, George Chuvalo, Buster Mathis, Jimmy Ellis, Oscar Bonavena, Zora Folley, Jerry Quarry, Archie Moore, to name some. He also defeated his co-Olympic gold medalists Floyd Patterson (1956 Melbourne), Joe Frazier (1964 Tokyo), George Foreman (1968 Mexico), Leon Spinks (1976 Montreal) and his monumental upset victory over the dreaded and undefeated Sonny Liston. Yes, he lost to Frazier, Norton and to Spinks but avenged these defeats in a convincing win especially at the “Thrilla in Manila” which Ali described as “a fight next to death.”
Diagnosed with a symptom of Parkinson disease, the ‘King of the Ring’ Ali fought twice more, Larry Holmes in 1980 and lost by stoppage and his last letdown was to Trevor Berbick via unanimous decision in 1981.
Two days before the Thrilla in Manila (Sep. 29, 1975), I and my first child, eight-year-old Jazy traveled to Manila to watch the event. Because of my eagerness to meet the boxing icon, the following day, Jazy and I went to Manila Hilton Hotel in Ermita to have a glimpse of Ali, and possibly have a brief chat, have photos with him.
From newspaper accounts, the former Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. was reportedly very accommodating especially to the scribes and his fans. Jazy and I saw the handsome boxer at the first floor of the hotel with his wife, the 5’11” alluring Belinda with some of their American and Filipino friends. Ali did not stay long as he took the elevator to his room at the 20th floor. We went after him and reached the 20th floor but we held back when we saw two of his tall intimidating bodyguards standing still by his door. We went home a bit disappointed until we heard then Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos on television announced that the battle will be shown live on TV! Thank God, we watched an epic battle that will never-ever be forgotten in world boxing.
Without a doubt, it was Ali’s charisma, antics, and loquaciousness that world boxing to greater heights. I also admired his advocacy, his courage for refusing to be drafted in the military in 1967 that led to his being jailed for five years and stripped off his world title. Fortunately, the U.S Supreme Court overturned his conviction upon his appeal. He returned to boxing, recaptured the world title and created his own credo the unforgettable “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”
Goodbye Ali, my hero, and may the good Lord give you a peaceful rest that you deserve.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. JAMES 1: 17
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