The Greatest. Muhammad Ali: 1942 – 2016
[Photo: Ring Magazine, Getty Images]
Muhammad Ali, considered to be the best boxer of all time, died on June 3 at the age of 74. Ali was a seismic force both inside and outside the ring — outspoken, principled and fearless — his fight for racial equality and his adamant refusal to fight in Vietnam made him one of the most influential figures in US history. Fiercely intelligent, loud and proud, Ali's wicked wit infuriated his enemies, yet his courage inspired millions. Read a fraction of the tributes pouring in: Toronto Star, Time, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, BBC, Guardian, and The New Yorker. Watch the "Thrilla in Manila," Ali's historic 1975 showdown with Joe Frazier. Travel further back and watch Ali's 1964 takedown of the legendary Sonny Liston.
But Ali himself has always had the last word. So here it is, from the 1975 Playboy interview:
"I’ll tell you how I’d like to be remembered: as a black man who won'the heavyweight title and who was humorous and who treated everyone right.
As a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him and who helped as many of his people as he could–financially and also in their fight for freedom, justice and equality.
As a man who wouldn’t hurt his people’s dignity by doing anything that would embarrass them.
As a man who tried to unite his people through the faith of Islam that he found when he listened to the Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
And if all that’s asking too much, then I guess I’d settle for being remembered only as a great boxing champion who became a preacher and a champion of his people.
And I wouldn’t even mind if folks forgot how pretty I was."
There won't be another like him. Rest in power, Muhammad Ali.
Further reading available at the Toronto Public Library:
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Muhammad Ali: A Biography by Anthony O. Edmonds
Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times by Thomas Hauser. Also: Hauser's 2005 companion volume: The Lost Legacy of Muhammad Ali.
Muhammad Ali: Through the Eyes of the World by Mark Collins
Muhammad Ali: The World's Champion by John Tessitore
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Mohammad Ali: Champion of the World by Jonah Winter and François Roca
Muhammad Ali: The Glory Years by Felix Dennis
Muhammad Ali by Terry Barber
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Muhammad Ali: The Birth of a Legend 1961 – 1964 by Flip Schulke
More Than A Hero by Hana Ali
Muhammad Ali: Trickster in a Culture of Irony by Charles Lemert
Soul of A Butterfly: Reflections on A Life's Journey by Muhammad Ali
Available on DVD from the Toronto Public Library:
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In Their Own Words: Muhammad Ali directed by Andrew Hayes and John Sutherland
Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight directed by Stephen Frears
Muhammad Ali: When We Were Kings directed by Leon Gast
I Am Ali: The Man Behind the Legend directed by Clare Lewins
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Facing Ali directed by Pete McCormack
Muhammad Ali: The Greatest 1964 – 1974 directed by William Klein
The Trials of Muhammad Ali directed by Bill Siegel
Muhammad Ali: Magic in Miami PBS Home Video
Watch Michael Mann's 2001 feature film Ali starring Will Smith.
Remember this? Superman vs. Muhammad Ali. And the Johnny Wakelin 1975 song?
Finally: Ali meets a fearsome opponent.
Muhammad Ali: 1942 – 2016
One thought on “The Greatest. Muhammad Ali: 1942 – 2016”
Muhammad Ali said that the races should not mix, that an interracial couple defies the wishes of God.
Does everyone agree with him about this?
Because I’m certain that if a non-black athlete aired this opinion, it would be controversial.