I was taken back and nostalgic to learn of the news of the loss of Muhammad Ali. For me personally his life was a transition from my growing up as a litter brother in the pre -Vietnam era to a grown man.
My brother, a golden gloves boxer himself at the time-11 years my senior -first introduced me to then Cassius Clay in the late 1960’s. I was probably just about 7 years old- just an impressionable kid. I thought hum… that is an interesting name. But there was more than his name that captivated me and hundreds of thousands around the world must have felt a similar way. Then he changed his name! I thought… “That’s even more interesting; can that be done?” There was certainly a lot of intrigue with this man. Now, 45 plus years later, I understand.
I was a huge sports fan when I was little and remember hearing about his name. When my brother returned from Viet Nam he would take took me to boxing matches. Boxing was very popular during the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. Denver was fortunate to have a very successful up and coming fighter by the name of Ron Lyle. I greatly enjoyed boxing. I appreciated the athleticism, the competition and the grave sense of the weight that each fighter felt with each battle. I could relate in my own life at the time. I also greatly enjoyed my time with my brother during each of these fights.
The first fight I saw Ali in was the first Muhammad Ali –Joe Frazier bout. I saw it at the old Denver Coliseum at what was called at the time “closed circuit TV.” I was 11 years old and even in front of a large theater screen the atmosphere was electric. 12,000 people never sat down. I was shocked that Muhammad Ali could lose that first fight. He lost to two opponents that night. Obviously, the first was Smokin’ Joe but the second was a much more subtle and talented opponent and one that he would be challenging the rest of his boxing career.
Yes, it was this other rival that perhaps took the wind out of Ali’s sails. That was the opponent of time. Ali spent the previous 3 years away from the sport he loved in prison for standing up for a belief that our nation probably wished that they would have followed suit. Our country was in the middle of a draft of our young men to fight in a war in Vietnam. Ali said he didn’t have anything against Vietnam and would not fight in a war he didn’t believe in. Whether that was a correct or incorrect decision is not the purpose of this article but what Ali lost during those 3 years, he gained in strength of heart and spirit and the world stood up and took notice. Life is funny. We lose parts of ourselves at times – parts we would never choose to be without- but life allows other parts to surface, grow and deepen.
Following the 1971 fight with Frazier, Ali would go on to fight 10 more years. He of course was the first heavyweight boxing champion to regain the title 3 times. He fought around the world because the people of the world wanted desperately to see him. As I look back on that time I think his opponent was equally father time as he tried masterfully to retain his great physical speed, swiftness and ability to box. Fight he did in the ring until he was just short of 40 years old. He received more blows than any fight fan would have liked for him to receive. The connection of boxing to Parkinson’s disease is not the purpose of this writing but as an athlete and a Champion I would think that he wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Ali’s life and physical talents were the hub and spring board for a few well known sports broadcasters. Specifically, the late Howard Cosell of later Monday Night Football fame who became a close friend and openly defended Muhammad’s decision to avoid the draft. The second was current broadcaster Jim Gray. His trainer Angelo Dundee became a household name to boxing fans.
Just like you, I have many memories. What will I remember?
I will remember how he made me feel: Inspired
I will remember the Wide World of Sports re- broadcasts of Ali’s previous fights with color and commentary from Ali, his opponent and of course Howard Cosell.
I will remember his vibrant and extreme confidence-
I will remember his athletic speed and tenacity
I will remember his quick masterful poetry. Words that aggravated his opponents but words that he could back up. He brought intensity to his opponents yet never in an angry viscous way, at least outside of the ring…
Muhammad Ali came to Denver to fight an exhibition match with then Denver Bronco defensive end and the late Lyle Alzado at Mile High Stadium. I was three feet away from him as he was entering his training session at the Marriot Hotel in Denver prior to the exhibition fight.
Ali’s life is a reminder of my love and thankfulness to my brother himself a Vietnam veteran entering the war at a mere 18 years old; a reminder of how our country can be so wrong… and a reminder of how to live one’s life committed to values that transcend the world we live in and bring us closer to the love we all crave.
Ali, himself chose how he wanted to be remembered (a very powerful lesson for us) and was quoted as saying:
“As a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him, and who helped as many people as he could. As a man who stood up for his beliefs no matter what. As a man who tried to unite all humankind through faith and love.
“And if all that’s too much, then I guess I’d settle for being remembered only as a great boxer who became a leader and a champion of his people. And I wouldn’t even mind if folks forgot how pretty I was.”
For me and perhaps many more in my generation he was a transitional marker from the turbulent 60’s through and into our modern area. He was graceful, full of life and full of insight. It is a shame that we didn’t get to hear more of his thoughts about our current times in his later years. But I am sure his family knew and maybe it is just as well that what we do remember is his elegance and life as that essence speaks louder than words. He was a stand for peace, freedom and religious tolerance. The essence of which speak loud enough for all of to hear.
Remembering and thanking Muhammad Ali, 1942-2016