Born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky, nobody in the Boxing world thought Cassius Clay will win glories in professional boxing. Even though he won the Gold Medal in the Light Heavyweight category at the 1960 Olympics, the experts gave him little chance to succeed against the likes of Floyd Patterson and Sonny Liston. The pundits said that he was too light, that he had no sting in his punches, that he hangs his gloves too low, inviting socks to the jaw, and that he leaned from punches, instead of ducking down, as great boxers do. But young Cassius overcame all these misgivings to become the very best in the business.
Fighting for the championship against Sonny Liston aged only 21 years, the boxing pundits gave Cassius no chance whatsoever. But boxing history was re-written when the Big bear was knocked out. Cassius confirmed the feat months later in the re-match, with the "phantom" punch that was so fast that many people did not see it, and the TV replay technology available at the time could not show it clearly. Cassius changed his name to Muhammad Ali. "The greatest" has been born. With Mr Bundini Brown of blessed memory, the jive was:
Float like a butterfly; fly like a bee;
Your hands cannot hit what your eyes can't see!
And float like a butterfly he did. He defeated all humans the boxing world put in front of him: Henry Cooper (twice), Flood Patterson, Archie Moore and all the renowned at the time. Then the US Government step in. Muhammad was drafted to go and fight in Vietnam. "The Viet Congs have done me no wrong", he explained; why should he go into their villages to kill them. According to Muhammad, it is really America doing him wrong, with discrimination and racial prejudice. Muhammad was stripped of the boxing title, had his International passport and boxing licences revoked, and faced jail time. By the time the US Supreme Court overturned his conviction almost three years later, the Champ was past his prime, and there was a new sheriff in town, Joe Frazier.
The confrontation with Smokin' Joe was inevitable; there were to be three of them, all epics. The first took place at our Madison Square Garden in the summer of 1971. The Fight of the Century lived up to its billing, with Frazier knocking down Ali with the famous left hook in the 15th round en route to the decision. Unfortunately for Ali, Frazier got demolished by George Foreman in Kingston, Jamaica in one round before any rematch with Ali. If Ali wanted the title back, he would have to go through George. "Whatever George hits falls", so how can Ali survive against Foreman?
The Ali/Foreman battle took place in Zaire in 1974, hosted by President Mobutu. Beamed to most countries of the world live, I watched Ali demolished Forearm in 8 rounds after laying on the ropes for seven rounds and absorbing all what George had to offer. The fight is over; the Champ is back. Ali became only the second person in history to reclaim the World Heavyweight Title (Floyd Patterson was first). All was to reclaim it later for the 3rd time after being upset by Leon Spinks, the first time to win the biggest person title in sports three times.
Muhammad would be remembered for his three fights against his arch-enemy, Joe Frazier. The third fight, the "Thrilla in Manilla", left both men half dead on their feet. Defense was thrown to the winds: they hit each other with everything they had, everywhere they could. It was that personal. Muhammad remarked later that this was the only occasion when he almost died in the boxing ring; but he refused to quit. Joe Frazier's trainer, Mr. Eddie Futch, pulled out Frazier in the 14th round. Eddie remarked later that he did it for his love of Joe and his children: he did not want Joe to be hurt for life.
About twenty-five years ago, the cumulative blows to the head of low-glove carrying Muhammad seemer to have caught up with him: he was diagnosed with "Punch-Drunk" syndrome, Parkinsonism as a result of repetitive head trauma. After being told of the diagnosis, the Champ declared "I will last the distance with this thing; I will whip it"! And he has. Twenty five years later, the Champ is still here, even though he was expected to live less than ten years. I could not help but remember that Joe Frazier died within two months of his diagnosis with cancer late in 2011. Although Parkinson's disease is not cancer, it is deadly, and I could not help thinking that the Champ has beaten Joe again. It is good that Joe forgave Ali for all the disparaging remarks about him only three years before his death.
"I refuse to lose", the Champ used to bellow. After lasting the distance with Parkinson's, I cannot argue with him.
Happy Birthday to the "Champ". Still the "Greatest"!
Emmanuel O. Fashakin, M.D., Esq.
| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
Benin Kingdom Suspends Five Functionaries For ‘Unauthorised’ Visit To Ooni Of Ife
Life Coach, Solomon Buchi Warns Against Pornography In Christian Marriages
"How I Was Stylishly Set Out Of My Husband’s House The Same Day He Was Buried” - Late Actor, Ajigijaga's Widow (CVideo)
HAPPENING NOW! Death Recorded As Gas Explosion Rocks Abeokuta, Ogun State
VIDEO: BBNaija Winner, Miracle Igbokwe Graduates With Distinction From US Aeronautical Varsity