A Tribute To Muhammad Ali: The Greatest

By Rupert Johnson
PRIDE Columnist

It is with a great deal of sadness that we mourn the loss of Muhammad Ali who passed away on June 03, 2016 at the age of 74. This giant of a man was undoubtedly the greatest heavyweight boxing champion of all times. But he was much more than a master in the ring. He was also a great civil rights advocate who spent his entire life fighting for social justice in America and the rest of the world.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17, 1942, his birth name was Cassius Marcellus Clay. But after he won the heavyweight title by defeating Sonny Liston in 1964 he proudly proclaimed: “I am the greatest,” and subsequently changed his name to Muhammad Ali which has Islamic connotations.

After his two victories over Liston he kept on fighting and winning until he was confronted with the greatest fight of his entire life—the bitter and very controversial fight with the U.S. military establishment. Ali’s patriotism was questioned in 1967 when he bluntly refused to enlist in the military service. His refusal was largely based on his religious convictions and his opposition to the Vietnamese war.

Ali paid a heavy price for being a conscientious objector. He was arrested, convicted and sentenced to five years in prison (which he did not actually serve). However, he was stripped of his heavyweight title, and was not allowed to fight in the ring. This was indeed a very stressful and extremely difficult period, but Ali retained his confidence and never lost hope. He fought a very persistent and tenacious legal battle which lasted for almost four years. It was indeed heartening that Ali finally won this fight when the Supreme Court overturned the verdict. This allowed Ali to return to the boxing arena and continued to dazzle the crowds.

It is to be noted that Ali’s resilience, courage and strength were remarkable. His historic and successful fights against George Forman and Joe Frazier are legendary. And it is to be noted that he became the first boxer to win the world heavyweight title three times. As a heavyweight Ali had an impressive record. It is to be noted that he won 56 bouts and lost only 5.

Ali’s fight against social injustice is also legendary. From the outset his fight during the civil rights struggles of the 1960s is well documented. One only has to look at his 1975 autobiography in which he recorded that he threw away his Olympic gold medal in protest against the overtones of racism in a white restaurant.

It is sad to say that in 1984 he was medically examined and diagnosed with  Parkinson’s disease. But as a fighter he did not give up. He tried to cope as best he could.

It was indeed moving when he lit and held the Olympic torch at Atlanta in 1996. His sheer determination, courage and pride were unparalleled and an inspiration to all onlookers. May his soul rest in peace.

Rupert Johnson ca be reached at: r.b.johnson@sympatio.ca.