The Greatest Sports Hero of All Time

And a very Great Man as well

Published on November 10, 2005 By Dr Guy In Sports & Leisure

The Evening Standard in London is reporting that Muhammed Ali is dying and only has months to live. For the last 20 years, Ali has been suffering from Parkinson's disease. And as a friend said:

"The guy has always been a battler and he's been fighting Parkinson's as best he can for years. But this is one match he is going to lose no matter how many rounds he goes."

I remember Cascius Clay. I did not really understand boxing at that time, but when he beat Sonny Liston, that was a very big thing. I grew up with Muhammed Ali. When Uncle Sam called, Ali said his religion, Muslim, prevented him from serving. Instead of running off to Canada, or sending hate letters from England, he stood his ground. And he was stripped of his championship. The Pinacle of his career! The magnum opus! But he stood for his principals, and did not run and hide.

After he got out, he started the long road back to recover the title. Losing to Joe Frazier in their first fight, but winning the second. I remember when George Foreman (before he was selling grills) destroying Joe Frazier! And I knew there was no way for the poet of the ring to beat him. Frazier was younger, and much more powerful! There just was no way!

But he did! And in so doing, we had a new term in the English language! The Rope-a-dope! Ali was and always will be the greatest! The Greatest Boxer, the greatest Sportsman, and one of the greatest Human Beings of all time.

I do not blame him for withdrawing in these late stages of Parkinsons. He is a proud man. I wish we had discovered the cure for his aliment, but that was not to be.

It is a sad time for me, and for all his fans. Heavy weight boxing has not been the same since he retired.

Peace Muhammed Ali. You have earned it.

Comments

uDigItTheMost

on Nov 12, 2005

He was the right person at the right time, and I'm talking more than just boxing. When he was in his prime he was one of the most well-known individuals on Earth. He was beloved around the world.

He had the perfect combination of style, substance and smarts. So many that tried to emulate him since has fail to recognize or simply are ignorant to the fact that you need to have more than a huge ego or a big mouth to equal him.

They merely look foolish. People need to stop trying to be what was only a part of him. He was more than just a braggart, way more. Just like he was way more than just a boxer. We will never see another Ali, never. "The Greatest"! What a fitting name.

Dr Guy

on Nov 12, 2005

We will never see another Ali, never. "The Greatest"! What a fitting name.

In this day and age when young ones try to look up to sports stars as heros, and the stars are found wanting, he is one that everyone can look up to as a hero. He had a mouth, yes. But not a dirty one. And one like you say, he backed up with his actions.

Sugar Ray Leonard is another one that is close, but he did not have the bragadocio of Ali. And he was not a heavy weight. I greatly respect Sugar Ray as well, but Ali is my hero. I heard a radio talk show call him a draft dodger. He was not. He did not dodge anything. He stated his personal beleifs and backed them up. He took his medicine with grace, dignity and style.

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