I was saddened to learn about the demise of the greatest legend of light-heavy weight boxing legend Muhammad Ali at the age of 74, the same age of mine. Though I didn't follow boxing that much but I knew him as Casdius Clay by reading sport section of Indian Express when I was in college back home in India. I still vividly remember when in March 1971 while going to U.S.A for higher study, for 3 days I stayed at one of our relative's house in Stredham,England and on March 8th read news about epic fight between Ali and Joe Frazier and he lost to Joe Frazier. What I liked most about Ali was that he was a true ambassador, not only for boxing but a true humanitarian.
He stuck to his principals for what he believed in and was very outspoken to make his point. He was against Vietnam war. People boiled down his refusal to go to Vietnam to "I ain't got no quarrel with them Vietnam Cong". Also in the middle of the civil rights era he said "My conscience won't let me go shoot my brother or some darker people or some poor people, hungry people in the mud for big, powerful America". He also spoke of boxing as a slave trade controlled by whites.
Ali,then Casdius Clay cherished his gold medal from the 1960 Olympics so much that he wore it all the time,even while sleeping.Then one day, sickened by a horrific bout about racism he encountered, the 18 years old light-heavy weight champion stood on the Second Street Bridge and threw the medal in to Ohio river. After 25 years one volunteer named Bradburry while cleaning the annual Ohio river sweep found the medal and went to Muhammad Ali Centre and handed over a medal and to Bradburry's surprise Ali family sent cheque of $200,000.
In today's world we find many people for their selfish,monetary-political gain,cheap fame and honour leave aside all norms and principals of life and keep on changing allegiance for their own selfish motives.
Last but not least as Father's Day is around the corner we wish happy father's to all not only on Father's Day but everyday.
By Suresh and Bhavna Patel
Markham, Canada.
