A tough exterior warrior, a melting smoothie at heart. The legend finally bid adieu and the world can’t be a sadder place. Muhammad Ali, 74, the boxing champion breathed his last this morning and the social media went into a shocked frenzy. Some might have had posts all set and done as a tribute for the man, but we went reeling in shock, to mourn the loss of a great soul that he was. But he would not have wanted a sad farewell or obituary, he would have wanted the world to remember him the man he was. Here’s why, we present to you some known, some unknown facts about Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxer of all times gone, and to come.
A legend is born
Cassius Clay made a grand entry into the foray of boxing arena by shockingly defeating the then champion Sonny Liston, one fine day in the year 1964. The 22-year-lad came to be known to the world as Muhammad Ali.
A bicycle that was stolen
When Muhammad was a mere 12-year-old, his Schwinn bicycle got stolen. He vowed that he would bash the one who stole it, in front of the police officer, who was also a Boxing trainer. The latter took Ali under his wing, and the rest, is history.
The banned champion
Little do people know that their hero was once arrested and banned for three years, as he refused to serve in the military during the 1967 war.
The Broadway Musical Star
Muhammad Ali, when forced away from boxing by the authorities, took to theatre. He starred in a four-day musical “Buck White”, in 1969, and was applauded for his raw and appealing performance.
A deadly disease
The legend was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984, 3 years after he had retired from his glorious career of 25 years. The reason cited was the injuries that he sustained over his boxing career.
The air scare
It seems rather strange that so strong a man was also scared of something. The boxer was extremely afraid of taking the sky route, and had it been his way, he wouldn’t have been a part of Olympics 1960, where he subsequently won. Thanks to his coach who persuaded him at the time.
He featured in the Superman Comics
Yes, he did. There are a very few real legends who make it to the comic world and Ali was definitely one of them. The special edition had Muhammad Ali and Superman fighting each other, to save the world from alien invasion.
The pariah of hostages
Muhammad Ali went to Baghdad on a peace mission, to speak to then dictator and ruler, Saddam Hussein. He did all he could to free as many hostages as he could, visiting all the places and authorities, negotiating with people.
Farewell sir, you shall be missed. You body may be gone, but your legacy stays, to inspire many.
Author: Kadambari Srivastava
