By Uchendu, Patrick C.
Muhammad Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay) is no doubt one of the greatest boxers of all time. As the world continues to mourn his passage, I try to reflect in this piece on his life and times and what he meant personally to me.
Although I was not privileged to be a part of that generation that saw Ali rise to greatness, I could not help but embrace, nay, Idolise this fellow whose legendary accomplishments would linger for many generations long after his retirement in the early 1980s. Stories of Ali's exploits came down to us through our parents and older siblings who were the lucky ones that witnessed those glorious moments that transformed him into a living legend. I remember quite vividly those early years as a youth when my older siblings would coax me into mock boxing bouts, during which I received many lessons (sometimes painfully) on how Ali was thought to have knocked his way into fame. From those early rituals I was initiated into a sport I thought was so crude to be welcomed in civilized life! I learnt, for instance, that an uppercut was meant to leave an opponent staggering for a while, while considering seriously about whether to quit the game at that point or not. Muhammad Ali, whom I rarely got the opportunity to roleplay those days (my siblings thought I was too young to), was said to have landed so many of this kind of punch to the dismay of his opponents. There were also the technical knockouts (TKOs) which remain to this day the triumphant boxer's delight because they bring a fight to an abrupt end even though to the disappointment of spectators who often look forward to long, promising bouts. Over a glittering 21-year spell, during which he engaged some of the best boxers in history-the likes of Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and many others-Muhammad Ali was said to have emerged victorious in 56 fights, 37 of which were by knockouts! What a record!
Although I was not privileged to be a part of that generation that saw Ali rise to greatness, I could not help but embrace, nay, Idolise this fellow whose legendary accomplishments would linger for many generations long after his retirement in the early 1980s. Stories of Ali's exploits came down to us through our parents and older siblings who were the lucky ones that witnessed those glorious moments that transformed him into a living legend. I remember quite vividly those early years as a youth when my older siblings would coax me into mock boxing bouts, during which I received many lessons (sometimes painfully) on how Ali was thought to have knocked his way into fame. From those early rituals I was initiated into a sport I thought was so crude to be welcomed in civilized life! I learnt, for instance, that an uppercut was meant to leave an opponent staggering for a while, while considering seriously about whether to quit the game at that point or not. Muhammad Ali, whom I rarely got the opportunity to roleplay those days (my siblings thought I was too young to), was said to have landed so many of this kind of punch to the dismay of his opponents. There were also the technical knockouts (TKOs) which remain to this day the triumphant boxer's delight because they bring a fight to an abrupt end even though to the disappointment of spectators who often look forward to long, promising bouts. Over a glittering 21-year spell, during which he engaged some of the best boxers in history-the likes of Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and many others-Muhammad Ali was said to have emerged victorious in 56 fights, 37 of which were by knockouts! What a record!
As I grew older, I came to learn about other aspects of Ali's life that were not related to me in my younger days, aspects that I might have found difficult to understand at that time, such as his disdain for his Christian roots which he found irreconcilably tainted with the slavery of America's past, his opposition to the Vietnam war and his anti-establishment outlook which almost landed him in jail. But like the fighter that he was, Ali proved to be as much successful outside the ring as he was in it. He would later come down with the Parkinson's disease which he battled with very bravely over several decades until his death.
That the news of his demise should send shock waves around the world is a testament to the lofty accomplishments of Muhammad Ali, whose reputation in his lifetime will never be diminished even in death.
Adieu, Ali, the activist, crusader and the greatest boxing icon of all time!
Rest in peace my childhood hero!
Rest in peace my childhood hero!
on point! this was someone who lived up to his self acclaimed title in his chosen career. 'The greatest'
ReplyDeleteYea,he did.It is wonderful that one could achieve so much in one life time.
ReplyDeleteFloat like a butterfly and sting like a bee. He was truly an inspiration for black love.
ReplyDeletetruly he is an inspiration and may he's spirit live on. those punches must still live on.
ReplyDeleteMohammed Ali rest in peace. PAT how far now. Where the punches NICE!!!!!!!!!!!! gud to know you were maltreated and bullied
ReplyDeletemr pat dont worry we will see at graduation , dat your head
ReplyDelete