What can I say that hasn’t been said already about the great Muhammad Ali. Regarded as a model citizen, the greatest athlete of all time, Muhammad Ali, formerly known as Cassius Clay has died at the age of 74 in an Arizona hospital. The man famously known for talking a good talk interspersed with poetry while considering himself the greatest athlete of them all has succumbed to his lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The news of Ali’s death hit the world press last night following a statement from the The Muhammad Ali Center, a museum and cultural center built as a tribute to the champion boxer Muhammad Ali and his values) yesterday. The once eloquent and graceful showman of immense athletic prowess fought with the Parkinson’s syndrome for 34 years and was recently hospitalized with respiratory difficulties.
Muhammad Ali. Photo courtesy www.bbc.co.uk
Apart from his flamboyant performances in and outside of the boxing ring, Muhammad Ali was a strong political advocate demonstrated by his opposition to the Vietnam War which cost him his boxing titles and earned him prison time. He was an outspoken opponent to racism, taking on the US administration in Jim Crow segregated America of the 1960’s. He was famously quoted as saying, ‘Hating people for the colour of their skin is wrong and it doesn’t matter which colour does the hating, it’s just plain wrong’. This unexpectedly endeared him to the African American community across the United States elevating him as their unofficial leader and spokesperson for their cause.
Even though Ali’s stance as a vocal champion of peace, who abhorred racism, war and religious intolerance made him an icon for African Americans, he was revered by many Caribbean leaders and sporting greats such as Guyana’s former political activist Walter Rodney and Jamaica’s boxer Lennox Lewis.
Not only was Ali held in high esteem by his admirers and legions of fans he was respected by many of his adversaries including boxer George Foreman who lost to Ali at the famous ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ in Zaire Africa in 1974. George said on learning of Ali’s passing, “No doubt he was one of the best people to have lived in this day and age. To put him as a boxer is an injustice.”
The Day Prince Met His Hero Ali in 1997. Photo courtesy siphotos.tumblr.com
It is poignant to note Ali has become yet another Black icon of the African Caribbean community to leave this realm this year following the demise of the great music supremo Prince who passed four weeks ago. Like Prince, Ali was reputed to be one of the most recognizable people on earth and not just in the United States but in some remote villages in Africa, South America and the Caribbean.
Most interesting it is to note reputable and respected media pundits today are all agreed that Muhammad Ali’s influence transcends sports, as he was a keen philanthropist supporting humanitarian causes around the world and in many cases insisted that his donations were given on the proviso that his name not be mentioned to the beneficiaries or the public.
In closing, the author agrees with British boxer Chris Eubanks that a life-size bronze stature of Muhammad Ali be erected in Hyde Park, London and other prominent locations around the world if only to mark the impact and influence this man has had on many leaders and youth seeking the right path in today’s troubled world. The actual value of his inspiration around the world may never truly be known but the extent and depth of his influence cannot be denied and will, no doubt, continue to guide the thoughts and actions of generations to come. One famous quote of Muhammad Ali that has inspired the author is, ‘He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life‘.
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