The Champion Forever

In 2007 Bert Randolph Sugar, a prominent boxing writer, released his list of top ten heavyweight fighters of all time. Not much different from other versions, Sugar ranked Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali on the top two, followed by other names: Jack Dempsey (3), Jack Johnson (4), Gene Tunney (5), Rocky Marciano (6), Ezzard Charles (7), George Foreman (8), Joe Frazier (9) and Larry Holmes (10). Sugar’s list invites many comments from boxing fans due to its apparent subjective. Champions in 1940-1950s got higher ranks than those of any other era. The list is normally understood as Bert Sugar grew up to watch his old timer heroes fighting in the ring. However, the list would be completely different if Sugar were born at later time. For many boxing fans, the name of top heavyweight fighters, from no 1 all the way to number 10, is one and only Muhammad Ali.

Ali was indeed a unique person inside and outside the ring, captivating public attention through his skill and charisma. Instead of having constant stance like many of his predecessors in the heavyweight division, Ali opted to fill his fighting-style with diligent footwork, slippery body weaving, dancing and jabbing.  His style was quite unusual for the fighters in the upper divisions to perform. Ali’s style closely resembled fighters in the middleweight divisions, such as the dancing master Willy Pastrano or the flowery and flamboyant Sugar Ray Robinson. With the style which was later coined as ‘float like a butterfly and sting like a bee’, Ali, formerly Cassius Clay Jr, captured the world title from Sonny Liston in 1964, and continued to dominate the division until 1967. In his second career spell from 1970 till  1980s, Ali did not dance much as he grew older. But, boxing fans was entertained with his body strength, various tricks and numerous unorthodox strategies to cope with younger, and stronger opponents. That was obviously seen in his famous ‘the rope-a dope’ style. Astonishingly, a less danced Ali was still stinging, combined with his mature boxing skill which harvested his other title belts in 1974* and 1978**.

 

Outside the ring, Ali was a social activist. He embraced Islam in 1964 and participated in social movements for the minorities, in particular for the African - American communities. He was once condemned by American conservatives when he controversially refused to join military service for the Vietnam War. The refusal costed Ali's title strip in 1967. But his decision was highly appreciated among African-Americans as a symbol of struggle in the American civil movement. Along with that, Ali also gained popularity in Asia and Africa as a symbol of optimism from the developing worlds emerging society.

There is an interesting story repeatedly told when Muhammad Ali was about to fight the world champion George Foreman in 1974. While most world boxing analysts and journalists picked Foreman as their favorite, Asian and African public had their confidence on Ali to win the fight. When they were asked why they supported Ali, the reason was quite simple, even sometimes it was amusing. Some said they bet for Ali because he was their hero while they were younger. But some were more mythical. Many people in Indonesia, for instance, opined that:

 

“The name of Muhammad Ali was taken from the name of our beloved prophet (Muhammad) and the name of a brilliant muslim leader and commander (Ali, the 4^th Caliph in Islamic traditions). When both names are combined, none in this world can be more superior to that”

 

The reason might sound baseless and ridiculous to experienced boxing experts. However, it was Ali’s fans whose eventually got the last laugh. Ali dramatically defeated Foreman in a legendary fight called 'The Rumble in the Jungle' to regain the title he lost several years before.

After retirement from professional boxing in 1981, Ali was still active in several social activities. He is remembered as one of the great gentlemen whose life had been dedicated to humanity. To most, his remarkable life is memorable, as his name continues to inspire the world through his spirits, love and courage. Despite his physical disadvantage in his later life, Ali seemingly tried very hard to revive the figures he loved most and from which his name was derived: Muhammad the prophet and Ali the caliph. And due to his dedications, Ali is still people’s idol and hero, lingering in the minds of both boxing fans and global community, as their very fine champion forever. 

Note: 

*) George Foreman vs Muhammad Ali, 30 October 1974, the Rumble in the Jungle, contested in Kinshasha, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). Ali won by a knock-out in Rd 8 (pictured in the headline photo).

**) Leon Spinks vs Muhammad Ali, 15 September 1978, was staged in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ali won a decisive 15-rounds bout to become the 1^st fighter to win 3 times the world title in the heavyweight division