In the ring Muhammed Ali was a monster. He would grab hold of each match, dancing his way around the ring until just the right moment and then BAM, his fist, as big as a loaf of bread and as weighty as Thor’s hammer, would shoot forth so as to inflict the maximum amount of damage upon his adversary.
Despite his brutal blows, Ali was not fueled by anger. Fighting was his job, and he was damn well good at it. But outside the ring, he was known for his big personality – a man who could be caring and controversial in equal measure. Never one to hold back, Ali would often play to the camera, as seen in his famous Esquire cover and photo shoot with The Beatles. He was also a pretty sharp dresser, especially for a guy of his size. Ali wasn’t so much a gentle giant, as he was a giant gentleman, which is why his battle with Parkinson’s disease, and his subsequent deteriorating state later in life, has been so painful to watch. And so it’s best to remember Ali as he was in his glorious heyday – as the true people’s champ.
He should be on the twenty dollar bill.
I must be synchronicity that I recently wanted Michael Mann’s ALI and the HBO special by Stephen Frears, MUHAMMAD ALI’S GREATEST FIGHT. Both fantastic films, and together a great pairing to tell the forgotten story of how important a figure he was in the 1960s. Kids growing thinking of him as just a boxer, “The Greatest,” know so little about his true heroism and civic importance to American history.
Thanks for highlighting him today. Ali deserves the adulation he’s gotten over the years.
If only there were more men made like this anymore. It seems any of the leaders of today worldwide are either obviously corrupt or have priorities that don’t match that of the people they’re supposed to be serving. Ali was one of the greats, and will always be remembered as such. Hopefully other leaders will take a glimmer of his wisdom and apply it to their own daily lives, it would make the world a far better place.
Men made like this anymore? You mean like pompous and arrogant? Not to mention draft dodger?
One of the greatest boxers, no doubt, but his persona and demigod status has always been over hyped.