Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer who captivated the world as “The Greatest” in life, in death continues to rivet the world with his influence on people, T&T being no exception.
The Sunday Guardian spoke to several Trinidadians in the boxing fraternity yesterday, seeking their comments on the man whose fists shook the world, some of whom have met Ali in the flesh.
Director of the World Boxing Association (WBA) Female Championships Committee, Shivana Inalsingh, visited Ali and his wife, Yolanda “Lonnie” Williams, last month in their Phoenix, USA, home in her capacity as a clinical reflexologist treating Ali.
“I was very saddened to hear about Muhammad's passing. I was in the process of planing to visit him next month,” Inalsingh said.
“He stood out for what he did for boxing and as a human being.
“It was a very surreal moment when Prince died on April 21. I was doing therapy with Muhammad, I remember the news constantly broadcasting him.
“Muhammad's wife and family were all in the living room and an interview with Prince and Larry King came on.”
She said King was discussing how amazing and remarkable Prince's decision to give up his name was which decision had made him famous.
Inalsingh, who has served as past secretary of the T&T Boxing Board of Control and has been involved in boxing for 20 years, said King remarked that the only man he knew who had done this and continued to achieve success was his good friend Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali.
While laughing at the memory, she said Prince never allowed people to touch his hair, but Ali was the only person who was allowed to tussle his hair and the boxing icon's family had the photos.
Prince said that Ali was his hero.
Inalsingh: Ali extremely excellent in “the sweet science”
Dr Calvin Inalsingh, medical director of the World Boxing Association (WBA), said on behalf of the association's President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, his daughter Shivana and himself, he would like to extend their sympathy to the family of Ali.
Inalsingh, a former member of the local boxing board and involved in boxing for 36 years, said Ali was extremely excellent in “the sweet science” or boxing and also out of the ring as well. He had principles such as refusing to join the US Army to fight in the Vietnam war in 1967.
He said Ali's boxing licence was revoked and he remained in limbo during the peak of his career.
Inalsingh said Ali became champion again defeating two of boxing's most devastating knockout artists, George Foreman in the epic Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire in 1974 and Joe Frazier in the Thrilla in Manila in the Philipines, in 1975.
Forde: Ali one of the greatest, right up there with Sugar Ray Robinson
Cecil Forde, president of the T&T Boxing Association, said Ali was many things in one, and came at a time when black people were fighting for their freedom and place especially in America in the 60s.
He said he did what he was supposed to do and stood up for his people.
Forde said as a boxer, Ali was one of the greatest the world had ever seen, right up there with Sugar Ray Robinson who inspired Ali but his legacy will live on.
He said he met Ali in Canada after he was banned from boxing in 1967 and he was much in demand on the university circuit.
Paul: Ali re-energised boxing and brought people back to
watch sport
Former national middleweight and light-heavyweight boxing champion, Michael Paul, said he met Ali in Guadeloupe in 1983, he was in the main bout and Ali fought an exhibition match.
He said both of them stayed at the same hotel for a week,
Paul, who has 20 years boxing experience, said Ali was down-to-earth, approachable, and jovial and his contact with him was an experience that will stay with him forever.
He said Ali re-energised boxing and brought people back to watch boxing just like boxing tactician Sugar Ray Robinson had done.
Paul said if the world could take a page from Ali, it would be a better place.
Ramnarine:
So much of Ali’s
life to celebrate
Ria Ramnarine, former four-time mini-flyweight world boxing champion said the world will mourn Ali's loss but there was so much of his life to celebrate in life with his legacy and memories.
She said she met Ali in Mexico in 2012 at a World Boxing Council convention which was one of the highlights of her career.
Ramnarine said Ali radiated his presence without speaking and even though he had Parkinson's nothing could take away from his imposing figure and charisma.
Smith: Ali one of the greatest examples of the strength of the human spirit
Sport Minister Darryl Smith also paid tribute to the boxing legend.
In an email yesterday to the Sunday Guardian, Smith said the country mourned not just Ali's passing but one of the greatest examples of the strength of the human spirit.
Smith said he remembered Ali's speech before his fight against George Foreman in 1974. He kept saying, “I am going to show you how great I am. This kid is going to be the best kid in the world.”
He said Ali truly proved how great he was, the greatest of all time.
Smith said Ali was inspirational, courageous and exceptional, his favourite athlete of all time and he will be missed by all.