Philippines, 29 Mar 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MUHAMMAD ALI, ?THE KING OF BOXING? CELEBRATES HIS 74TH BIRTHDAY


PhilBoxing.com




Muhammad Ali, hailed as ?The King of Boxing? by the World Boxing Council and millions of fans around the world, celebrates his 74th birthday today in the US.

With a record of 56 wins including 37 knockouts and 5 defeats, Ali won the heavyweight championship three times with the WBC stating Ali won ?via his more than brilliant, unique skills and great courage and became the icon of the ring.?

The premier boxing organization, the World Boxing Council under its presidebt Mauricio Sulaiman said ?the sheer charm, and force of his personality, his principled position in opposing US participation in Vietnam and his dignity in every single d ay combating Parkinson?s have made him more than a hero and an example for us.?

The WBC recalls that Ali was born with the name Cassius Marcellus Clay in 1942. As a kid in Louisville, Kentucky the theft of his bicycle would change his life forever as the policeman in charge of h is case, Joe Martin, was a boxing coach and introduced the young Cassius into the boxing world.
An Olympic gold medalist in the light heavyweight division he turned pro and teamed up with one of the greatest trainers and motivators of all-time, Angelo Dundee and in his early years not only won most of his fights by knockout but predicted the round in which his opponent would fall and fulfilled his promise.
Ali?s battles with Sonny Liston, George Foreman and his trilogy with Joe Frazier have emerged as legends of their time.

We had the honor and privilege of being appointed Liaison Office to Ali in the greatest heavyweight clash of all-time, the famous ?Thrilla in Manila? on October 1, 1975 at the Araneta Coliseum which, for the fight, was named ?The Philippine Coliseum? because President Marcos wanted to project the country to an international audience.

President Marcos was the architect of the ?Thrilla in Manila? and as he h imself told us he wanted to show the world that under martial rule ?the country was safe, there was peace and order and discipline along with economic progress and the people were contented.?

Ali himself admired President Marcos and spoke in glowing terms about him.

Besides the president the First Lady Mrs. Imelda Romualdez Marcos played a key role in sealing the deal in a meeting with promoters Don King and Bob Aru, in New York with the help of Games and Amusements Board chairman Louie Tabuena and Mr. Reverente.

We spent countless hours with Ali in his presidential suite at the Manila Hilton and listened to him talk eloquently about religion (he was a Muslim), life, the international situation and of course love.

Ali was a quintessential human being and as the WBC said ?there will never be another fighter remotely like Muhammad Ali ? the greatest sportsman of all-time.?

Happy birthday and peace be with you our champion.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Wild, Wild Western Conference
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Press Conference Notes: Oscar Valdez-Liam Wilson & Seniesa Estrada-Yokasta Valle Doubleheader Set for Friday
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • WEIGHTS FROM BIG TIME BOXING USA IN DETROIT
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Undefeated Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes to Attend Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson Fight Eyes Potential Showdown with Winner
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PACE to host FIDE chess tilt this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Preserving a Legacy: The Birth of the Philippine Boxing Historical Society
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Garcia vs Haney: Boxing Match or A Live Mental Break Down?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Christian Mbilli-Mark Heffron Super Middleweight Main Event & Arslanbek Makhmudov-Junior Fa Heavyweight Battle Set for May 25 at Gervais Auto Center in Shawinigan, Canada
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • MATÍAS MAKES HOMECOMING DEFENSE AGAINST PARO ON JUNE 15
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • ‘ROCKY’ HERNANDEZ RETURNS AGAINST LUGO IN MEXICO ON MAY 11
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PCAP: Cavite eyeing to bounce back
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • HALL OF FAMER ANN WOLFE TO ATTEND 2024 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Gathering of champions
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Filipinos AJ Paciones and Ador Torres Make Weight for Title Fights in Highland Boxing Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Visiting Teams All Won vs Hosts; Boston Finally Loses
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Lukas to face undefeated Jaiklom on March 30 in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Sulaiman leaves Manila with fond memories
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Montano to Fight for WBO Oriental Welterweight Title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • JOSE RAMIREZ AND VERGIL ORTIZ JR. HOST FRESNO PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Joseph Adorno-Nicholas Walters Weigh-In Results
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Oscar Valdez and Sergio Rodriguez Give Back to Local Phoenix Children Ahead of Friday's ESPN+-Streamed World Title Doubleheader
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • “Granite Chin Box Off” to launch May 11th 4-fighter, 1-night super middleweight tournament
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Starling Castillo Ready For Jesus Saracho After Linking Up With Bob Santos
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Blair "The Flair" Cobbs Joins Forces with Coach Justin Gamber
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Cutiyog sweeps Imus tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.