VACANT CHAIR SHELLHOLE

NEWS LETTER

November 2016

Morning all, trust you are fit and well and as previously mention in our News Letter.

Hope you are doing your little bit to save our precious commodity WATER. As per

October Newsletter.

Brian and I were fortunate to go and see the Springboks play Australia at Loftus

Versveld, my son Stephen won tickets and not being a rugby fan gave them to us. What

an atmosphere and experience, especially when the Springboks ran onto the field. The

team was lead on by a little boy just 6 years old his dream was always one day to lead

the Springboks onto the field this dream was fulfilled. This little fellow has stage 4

cancer. So the next time you moan or groan think about those who are a lot worse off,

but are still very happy positive and enjoy their life. The emotion ran high when the

national anthems were sung.

Can you believe it the bars ran out of beer before half time.!!!!!!!

I do not think we must even mention the All Black game, Brian of course was in his

element, especially when he saw the number of All Black supporters on the TV in

Durban, as well as the Shamrocks in the North of Pretoria, but you have to admit we

were out played by the “Mean Machine”

We would like to wish the following persons and anyone that we may have forgotten who celebrate their birthdays in November 2016 a very

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

4th – Henry Wheeler

5th – Kay Raine

14th – Hennie Pienaar

19th – Brian Beeden

20th – Cyril Landsberg

22nd – Johan Pieters

26th – Chrissie Botha

27th – Ann Bowker

Who Is Muhammad Ali?

Muhammad Ali is one of the most famous boxers of all time. His conversion to Islam

and draft evasion conviction surrounded him with controversy and even exile from

boxing for three years. Despite the hiatus, his quick reflexes and strong punches helped

Muhammad Ali become the first person in history to win the heavyweight champion title

three times.

At the lighting ceremony at the 1996 Olympics, Muhammad Ali showed the world his

strength and determination in dealing with the debilitating effects of Parkinson's

syndrome.

Dates: January 17, 1942 -- June 3, 2016

Also Known As: (born as) Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., "The Greatest," the Louisville Lip

Married:

Sonji Roi (1964 - 1966)

Belinda Boyd (1967 - circa 1977)

Veronica Porche (1977 - 1996)

Yolanda "Lonnie" Williams (1996 - Until his death)

Childhood of Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. at 6:35 p.m. on January 17, 1942

in Louisville, Kentucky to Cassius Clay Sr.

and Odessa Grady Clay.

Cassius Clay Sr. was a muralist, but painted signs for a living. Odessa Clay worked as a

housecleaner and a cook. Two years after Muhammad Ali was born, the couple had

another son, Rudolph ("Rudy").

A Stolen Bicycle Leads Muhammad Ali to Become a Boxer

When Muhammad Ali was 12 years old, he and a friend went to the Columbia

Auditorium to partake in the free hot dogs and popcorn available for visitors of the

Louisville Home Show. When the boys were done eating, they went back to get their

bicycles only to discover that Muhammad Ali's had been stolen.

Furious, Muhammad Ali went to the basement of the Columbia Auditorium to report the

crime to police officer Joe Martin, who was also a boxing coach at the Columbia Gym.

When Muhammad Ali said he wanted to beat up the person who stole his bike, Martin

told him that he should probably learn to fight first. A few days later, Muhammad Ali

began boxing training at Martin's gym.

From the very beginning, Muhammad Ali took his training seriously. He trained six days

a week. On schooldays, he woke early in the morning so that he could go running and

then would go workout at the gym in the evening. When Martin's gym closed at 8 pm, Ali

would then go train at another boxing gym.

Over time, Muhammad Ali also created his own eating regimen that included milk and

raw eggs for breakfast. Concerned about what he put in his body, Ali stayed away from

junk food, alcohol, and cigarettes so that he could be the best boxer in the world.

The 1960 Olympics

Even in his early training, Muhammad Ali boxed like no one else. He was fast. So fast

that he didn't duck punches like most other boxers; instead, he just leaned back away

from them. He also didn't put his hands up to protect his face; he kept them down by his

hips.

In 1960, the Olympic Games were held in Rome. Muhammad Ali, then 18 years old, had

already won national tournaments such as the Golden Gloves and so he felt ready to

compete in the Olympics.

On September 5, 1960, Muhammad Ali (then still known as Cassius Clay) fought

against Zbigniew Pietrzyskowski from Poland in the light-heavyweight championship

bout. In a unanimous decision, the judges declared Ali the winner, which meant Ali had

won the Olympic gold medal.

Having won the Olympic gold medal, Muhammad Ali had attained the top position in

amateur boxing. It was time for him to turn professional.

Muhammad Ali Wins the Heavyweight Title

As Muhammad Ali started fighting in professional boxing bouts, he realized that there

were things he could do to create attention for himself. For instance, before fights, Ali

would say things to worry his opponents. He would also frequently declare, "I am the

greatest of all time!"

Often before a fight, Ali would write poetry that either called the round his opponent

would fall or boast of his own abilities. Muhammad Ali's most famous line was when he

stated he was going to "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

His theatrics worked. Many people paid to see Muhammad Ali's fights just to see such a

braggart lose. In 1964, even the heavyweight champion, Charles "Sonny" Liston got

caught up in the hype and agreed to fight Muhammad Ali.

On February 25, 1964, Muhammad Ali fought Liston for the heavyweight title in Miami,

Florida. Liston tried for a quick knockout, but Ali was too fast to catch. By the 7th round,

Liston was too exhausted, had hurt his shoulder, and was worried about a cut under his

eye.

Liston refused to continue the fight. Muhammad Ali had become the heavyweight

boxing champion of the world.

The Nation of Islam and Name Change

The day after the championship bout with Liston, Muhammad Ali publicly announced his

conversion to Islam. The public was not happy.

Ali had joined the Nation of Islam, a group led by Elijah Muhammad that advocated for a

separate black nation. Since many people found the Nation of Islam's beliefs to be

racist, they were angry and disappointed that Ali had joined them.

Up to this point, Muhammad Ali was still known as Cassius Clay. When he joined the

Nation of Islam in 1964, he shed his "slave name" (he had been named after a white

abolitionist that had freed his slaves) and took on the new name of Muhammad Ali.

Banned From Boxing for Draft Evasion

During the three years after the Liston fight, Ali won every bout. He had become one of

the most popular athletes of the 1960s. He had become a symbol of black pride. Then

in 1967, Muhammad Ali received a draft notice.

The United States was calling up young men to fight in the Vietnam War. Since

Muhammad Ali was a famous boxer, he could have requested special treatment and

just entertained the troops. However, Ali's deep religious beliefs forbade killing, even in

war, and so Ali refused to go.

In June 1967, Muhammad Ali was tried and found guilty of draft evasion. Although he

was fined $10,000 and sentenced to five years in jail, he remained out on bail while he

appealed. However, in response to public outrage, Muhammad Ali was banned from

boxing and stripped of his heavyweight title.

For three and a half years, Muhammad Ali was "exiled" from professional boxing. While

watching others claim the heavyweight title, Ali lectured around the country to earn

some money.

Back in the Ring

By 1970, the general American public had become dissatisfied with the Vietnam

War and was thus easing their anger against Muhammad Ali. This change in public

opinion meant Muhammad Ali was able to rejoin boxing.

After participating in an exhibition match on September 2, 1970, Muhammad Ali fought

in his first real comeback bout on October 26, 1970 against Jerry Quarry in Atlanta,

Georgia. During the fight, Muhammad Ali appeared slower than he used to be; yet

before the start of the fourth round, Quarry's manager threw in the towel.

Ali was back and he wanted to reclaim his heavyweight title.

The Fight of the Century: Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier (1971)

On March 8, 1971, Muhammad Ali got his chance to win back the heavyweight title. Ali

was to fight Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden.

This fight, billed as "the Fight of the Century," was viewed in 35 countries around the

world and was the first fight Ali used his "rope-a-dope" technique. (Ali's rope-a-dope

technique was when Ali leaned himself on the ropes and protected himself while he let

his opponent hit him repeatedly. The intention was to quickly tire out his opponent.)

Although Muhammad Ali did well in a few of the rounds, in many others he was

pounded by Frazier. The fight went the full 15 rounds, with both fighters still standing at

the end. The fight was unanimously awarded to Frazier. Ali had lost his first professional

fight and had officially lost the heavyweight title.

Shortly after Muhammad Ali had lost this fight with Frazier, Ali won a different kind of

fight. Ali's appeals against his draft evasion conviction had gone all the way up to the

U.S. Supreme Court, who unanimously reversed the lower court's decision on June 28,

1971. Ali had been exonerated.

The Rumble in the Jungle: Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman

On October 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali had another chance at the championship title. In

the time since Ali lost to Frazier in 1971, Frazier himself had lost his championship title

to George Foreman.

While Ali had won a rematch against Frazier in 1974, Ali was much slower and older

than he used to be and was not expected to have a chance against Foreman. Many

considered Foreman to be unbeatable.

The bout was held in Kinshasa, Zaire and was thus billed as "the Rumble in the Jungle."

Once again, Ali used his rope-a-dope strategy - this time with much more success. Ali

was able to tire out Foreman so much that by the eighth round, Muhammad Ali knocked

Foreman out.

For the second time, Muhammad Ali had become the heavyweight champion of the

world.

Thrilla in Manila: Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier

Joe Frazier really did not like Muhammad Ali. As part of the antics before their fights, Ali

had called Frazier an "Uncle Tom" and a gorilla, among other bad names. Ali's

comments greatly angered Frazier.

Their third match against each other was held on October 1, 1975 and called "Thrilla in

Manila" because it was held in Manila, Philippines. The fight was brutal. Both Ali and

Frazier hit hard. Both were determined to win. By the time the bell for the 15th round

was rung, Frazier's eyes were swollen nearly shut; his manager wouldn't let him

continue. Ali won the fight, but he himself was badly hurt as well.

Both Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought so hard and so well, that many consider

this fight to be the greatest boxing fight in history.

Winning the Championship Title a Third Time

After the Frazier fight in 1975, Muhammad Ali announced his retirement. This, however,

did not last long as it was just too easy to pick up a million dollars here or there by

fighting one more bout. Ali did not take these fights very seriously and became lax on

his training.

On February 15, 1978, Muhammad Ali was extremely surprised when novice boxer

Leon Spinks beat him. The bout had gone all 15 rounds, but Spinks had dominated the

match. The judges awarded the fight - and the championship title - to Spinks.

Ali was furious and wanted a rematch. Spinks obliged. While Ali worked diligently to

train for their rematch, Spinks did not. The fight did go the full 15 rounds again, but this

time, Ali was the obvious winner.

Not only did Ali win back the heavyweight champion title, he became the first person in

history to win it three times.

Retirement and Parkinson's Syndrome

After the Spinks fight, Ali retired on June 26, 1979. He did fight Larry Holmes in 1980

and Trevor Berbick in 1981 but lost both fights. The fights were embarrassing; it was

obvious that Ali should stop boxing.

Muhammad Ali had been the greatest heavyweight boxer in the world three times. In his

professional career, Ali had won 56 bouts and lost only five. Of the 56 wins, 37 of them

were by knockout. Unfortunately, all of these fights took a toll on Muhammad Ali's body.

After suffering increasingly slurred speech, shaking hands, and over-tiredness,

Muhammad Ali was hospitalized in September 1984 to determine the cause. His

doctors diagnosed Ali with Parkinson's syndrome, a degenerative condition that results

in decreased control over speech and motor skills.

After being out of the limelight for more than a decade, Muhammad Ali was asked to

light the Olympic flame during the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta,

Georgia. Ali moved slowly and his hands shook; yet his performance brought tears to

many who watched the Olympic lighting.

Since then, Ali worked tirelessly to helping charities around the world. He also spent a

lot of time signing autographs.

On June 3, 2016, Muhammad Ali died at age 74 in Phoenix, Arizona after suffering from

respiratory problems. He remains a hero and icon of the 20th century

Crazy Facts About Muhammad Ali

Nolan Moore May 19, 2014

He’s wrestled with alligators and tussled with a whale. He’s handcuffed lightning and thrown

thunder in jail. He’s Muhammad Ali, one of the most famous figures of the 20th century. A

three-time heavyweight champion, Ali has taken on boxers, bigots, governments, and

Parkinson’s, all the while mocking his foes with freestyle poetry. There are quite a few crazy

facts and strange stories about the self-proclaimed “Greatest,” the man who shook up the world.

He Was Afraid Of Flying

Photo credit: RuthAS/Wikimedia

While Ali was getting ready for the 1960 Rome Olympics, he realized he’d have to fly there.

Terrified, the 18-year-old asked if he could take a boat ride instead. When his idea was shot

down, Ali decided winning a gold medal wasn’t worth risking a plane crash and decided to skip

the Olympics.

Fortunately, boxing coach Joe Martin talked Ali into flying, although the fighter still needed

extra assurance. Before takeoff, Muhammad bought a parachute and wore it all the way to Italy.

Some even say he prayed the whole flight, while others claim he kept his mind off any possible

catastrophe by bragging about his upcoming bouts. Either way, he got there in one piece.

Still, Ali wasn’t a fan of soaring through the sky, and when he returned to the States, he bought

himself a bus for future tours, stating that when buses break down, they don’t fall 30,000 feet.

Not until later in life did Ali claim to have overcome his fear. After his conversion to Islam, he

said Allah wouldn’t let him die in a plane crash.

However, his daughter Maryum Ali still said, “The only time I’ve seen my father scared is when

we’re in the air, and the plane starts shaking. That’s when his eyes get real big, and he definitely

wants to be on the ground.”

He Didn’t Toss His Gold Medal

Photo via Box Rec

Americans certainly like their myths. But despite countless retellings, George Washington didn’t

chop down a cherry tree, Walt Disney isn’t cryogenically frozen, and Muhammad Ali didn’t toss

his Olympic medal into the Ohio River. But unlike the Washington and Disney legends, this

piece of apocrypha was created by its own hero.

The story of Ali’s medal starts off factually enough. He defeated Polish boxer Zbigniew

Pietrzykowski to earn the Light Heavyweight gold medal in the 1960 Olympics. Afterward, he

wore his medal wherever he went. Initially proud of his achievements, Ali quickly discovered his

victory had few real-world implications.

One day, while sporting the medal around his neck, Ali walked into a whites-only restaurant and

was told, “We don’t serve niggers here.” The boxer allegedly responded with, “That’s okay, I

don’t eat ‘em,” but his quick comeback didn’t do him any favors. He was thrown out, and that’s

where things take a fictitious turn.

According to Ali’s 1975 autobiography, he made his way to the Ohio River and chucked his

medal into the water. However, years later, Ali admitted he’d actually misplaced his prized

possession. “I don’t remember where I put that (medal),” he eventually told reporters.

Fortunately, Ali was given a replacement at the 1996 Atlanta games, where he dramatically lit

the Olympic torch.

Back in 1975, Ali was a member of the Nation of Islam (NOI), a group that preached black

superiority and separatism (and also that white people are devils created by an evil wizard). As a

result, Ali’s highly politicized book strongly advocated the NOI’s agenda . And if that meant

faking a few stories to make a point, so be it.

However, can you really blame Ali? After all, he grew up in a pre–Civil Rights Act South. As a

black man, he was treated as a second-class citizen. After his conversion, most reporters even

refused to call him “Muhammad Ali,” preferring to stick with “Cassius Clay.” While his gold

medal story was false, it was inspired by cold, hard truth.

His Trainer Cheated

When people mention “Muhammad Ali” and “cheater” in the same sentence, they’re usually

referring to the champ’s first great opponent, Sonny Liston. Some believe Liston rubbed liniment

on his gloves in their first fight, an act which temporarily blinded Ali. Many also suspect Liston,

who was heavily involved with the mob, of throwing their highly anticipated rematch. However,

fewer people know that Ali’s first bout against English fighter Henry Cooper also stank of foul

play. Only this time, the stench came from Ali’s corner.

The date was June 18, 1963, and the setting was Wembley Stadium in London. The seats were

packed with sports fans and celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. And Ali was

having a bad night. Near the end of the fourth round, Cooper delivered his signature ‘Enry’s

‘Ammer, a left hook that knocked Ali to the mat. Ali later said the blow was so hard his

“ancestors in Africa felt it,” but fortunately for Muhammad, the round ended before the ref could

count him out.

Suddenly, things started getting very fishy. Ali was literally stunned. He was so completely out

of it that there was no way he could survive round five. So his trainer, Angelo Dundee, decided

to get creative. He quickly tore Ali’s glove, rendering it useless. When he showed the rip to the

ref, he was told to get Ali a new pair of gloves, buying the fighter time to recover. There’s debate

over how many minutes passed between rounds four and five, but regardless, it was enough for

Ali to renew his spirits. His newfound energy also probably had something to do with the

smelling salts Dundee shoved under his nose, an illegal move in England, where rules forbade all

stimulants except for water.

When the bell sounded, a refreshed Ali opened a cut under Cooper’s eye, a gash so bad it ended

the fight. However, Cooper was a good sport about it. When he learned of Dundee’s trick, he

admitted his own trainer probably would’ve pulled the same stunt.

Ali The Musician

While he’s best known for his pugilistic prowess and prophetic poetry, Muhammad Ali had a

secret talent that not many are aware of. In 1964, shortly before his first fight with heavyweight

champion Sonny Liston, Ali released an album with Columbia Records. Humbly titled I Am the

Greatest, the album was mostly made up of his famous poems. In true Ali style, he alternated

between praising himself (“This is the legend of Cassius Clay / The most beautiful fighter in the

world today”) and predicting Liston’s upcoming defeat (“He can’t fight. I watched him shadow

boxing. His shadow won in the first round!”).

However, Ali did more than just brag. Near the end of the album, the Louisville Lip started

belting Ben E. King’s classic, “Stand By Me.” Afterward, he sang a uniquely 1960s tune called

“The Gang’s All Here” where he asks the cities of the world if they’re on his side. (“Is London

with me?” “Yeah!” “Is Paris with me?” “Yeah!”)

The album never hit the shelves. After his religious conversion and name change, Columbia

Records halted Ali’s singing career and removed the album from stores as quickly as possible.

Yet that didn’t end Ali’s musical aspirations. In 1976, the champ released “Ali and His Gang vs.

Mr. Tooth Decay,” in which Ali teaches kids about dental hygiene through ditties like “Who

Knocked the Crack in the Liberty Bell?” The answer of course is, “Ali, Ali.” However, this time

around, Ali had some celebrity friends to help out. Frank Sinatra played an evil ice cream man

intent on giving kids cavities, while Howard Cosell performed “The Fight Song,” a ringside

description of Ali’s climactic battle against Mr. Tooth Decay.

Sadly, Ali’s orthodontic masterpiece is incredibly hard to find, but we can all listen to his

rendition of “Stand By Me.” Be warned: Ali never would’ve made it as a pop star.

He Talked A Jumper Off A Roof

Los Angeles, 1981. An unnamed 21-year-old was on the ninth-floor fire escape, claiming the

Viet Cong were out to get him. Even worse, he claimed he was going to kill himself. The

situation was looking pretty grim—police officers couldn’t talk him down, and the crowd was

chanting for the man to jump. Things could’ve taken a grisly turn if Muhammad Ali hadn’t come

running up.

The retired boxer was across the street when he was told about the jumper. Without a moment’s

hesitation, Ali hurried to the building and offered his assistance. Desperate, the police were

willing to give anything a try, but they warned Ali that the young man might have a gun. The

champ just shrugged. It was a risk he was willing to take.

Ali got as close as possible to the jumper, sticking his head out of a nearby window. The young

man was shocked to see the world’s most famous athlete show up out of nowhere. “It’s really

you!” he shouted. Over the next 30 minutes, Ali talked to the young man about his difficult home

life and struggles to find a job. “You’re my brother,” Ali responded. “I love you, and I wouldn’t

lie to you.”

Ali convinced the youth to unlock the door leading to the fire escape and finally led the young

man safely down the stairs and into his Rolls-Royce limo. The boxer then escorted the man to a

hospital and promised to help him build a better future. “Saving a life is more important to me

than winning a world championship,” Ali said afterward.

The Boxer vs. The Wrestler

Muhammad Ali has seen some vicious fights. His legendary trilogy with rival Joe Frazier

culminated in the bloody “Thrilla in Manila.” During the “Rumble in the Jungle,” Ali attacked

George Foreman for eight rounds before finally knocking the big man out. And in his duel with

Ken Norton, Ali slugged it out for 12 rounds, nursing a broken jaw through most of the fight.

When we think of Ali the boxer, these are the moments we like to remember. His showdown

with Antonio Inoki, however, is one of those memories that makes Ali fans shudder.

It all started in 1975 when Ali met the president of the Japanese Amateur Wrestling Association.

“Isn’t there any Oriental fighter who will challenge me?” Ali asked. Antonio Inoki rose to the

challenge. A Japanese wrestler, Inoki was an early MMA pioneer, challenging and besting

martial artists like judo gold medalist Wilhelm Ruska. Now he wanted to add a boxer to his long

list of victories. Ali accepted the match, and the fight was set for June 26 at the Budokan arena in

Tokyo.

However, when Ali showed up in Japan, things got weird, although the story differs depending

on who’s telling it. Some claim the fight was fixed, and Ali was supposed to take a dive. But

when the champ learned about this detail, he refused to play along. Others say Ali believed the

match was simply going to be an exhibition bout. When he realized Inoki meant business, he

started having second thoughts on the matter.

Panicking, the Ali camp set up a strict set of rules. Inoki couldn’t tackle Ali, couldn’t use his

knees, and couldn’t hurl him around the ring. He also couldn’t kick unless he had one knee on

the mat. Obviously, Inoki wasn’t pleased and decided to play his own way. When fight night

came around, Inoki spent almost the entire match on the canvas, lying on his back, kicking at Ali

if the champ came too close. The result was a fight that was far from interesting.

The most exciting part came when Ali tried to grab Inoki’s foot. The wrestler flipped Ali and

spent the next few seconds sitting on the champ’s face. But the rest of the fight simply involved

Inoki throwing occasional kicks, and Ali taunting the wrestler. After 15 rounds and only six Ali

punches, the judges declared a draw.

The fans were ticked off. They threw garbage into the ring and shouted for their money back.

However, both fighters walked away several million dollars richer, and the two became close

friends.

Ali The Magician

Even when he wasn’t dancing around his opponents in the ring, Ali knew how to mesmerize a

crowd. All he needed was a scarf or coin. One of his favorite gimmicks was making silk

handkerchiefs vanish into thin air. He could also cause a key to flip over in his palm, magically

restore a quarter he’d bitten in half, and turn scarves into canes in the blink of an eye.

Ali’s most famous trick was his levitating act. The champ would turn his back to his audience,

put his heels together, and suddenly float off the ground, hovering several inches above the

carpet. His trick was so good that even David Copperfield called it “classic.”

People didn’t have to wonder about Ali’s tricks for long. Because Ali believes it’s wrong under

Islam to deceive, he would always explain exactly how his tricks worked. That disappearing

scarf? He shoved it up a fake thumb. Levitation? He was actually standing on the tips of the toes

of his left foot, which is pretty impressive in its own right.

Ultimately, Ali’s tricks were a tool to show people how easily their senses could be fooled.

Afterward, he’d occasionally sign and pass out Islamic tracts.

Superman vs. Muhammad Ali

Photo credit: DC Comics

Several real-life figures have shown up in Superman comic books, from Orson Welles to Jerry

Lewis to John F. Kennedy. But none of these pairings were as epic as the match-up between the

Man of Steel and the Greatest.

Created by Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams with the approval of the champ’s spiritual mentor,

Elijah Muhammad, “Superman vs. Muhammad Ali” was released in 1978 and was a whopper of

a comic book. The giant cover depicted Superman and Ali slugging it out in front of a stadium of

celebrities. Look closely, and you can see famous faces like Lucille Ball, Kurt Vonnegut,

Liberace, Frank Sinatra, and the Jackson 5. Even Batman and Lex Luthor make an appearance.

But why would Ali and Superman fight each other? To save the Earth from alien invasion, of

course. When the evil Rat’lar, Emperor of the Scrubb, shows up in Metropolis, he says he will

destroy the world unless an earthling can best Scrubb champion Hun’Ya in hand-to-hand

combat. When both Superman and Ali claim the right to defend Earth, Rat’lar orders them to

face each other. The winner gets to duke it out with Hun’Ya.

Obviously, a battle between Superman and Ali would be unfair. While Ali is a muscular guy, he

isn’t more powerful than a locomotive. However, the two strike a deal. The Kryptonian agrees to

do battle on a planet near a red sun, thus draining him of his superpowers. In exchange, Ali has

to teach the Man of Steel how to box. The two go toe-to-toe, and after a brutal beat-down, Ali

walks away the victor, champion of humanity.

It turns out the Scrubb had no intention of keeping their promise and planned to invade Earth

regardless of the outcome. But Ali and Superman expected this trick and secretly devised a plan.

As Ali boxes Hun’Ya, his cornerman “Bundini” Brown sneaks into Rat’lar’s ship. At the last

moment, Bundini removes his mask, revealing he’s actually Superman—while Ali actually

fought his cornerman in disguise. Superman defeats Rat’lar, Muhammad knocks Hun’Ya out of

the ring, and the two heroes shake hands, with Ali proclaiming, “We are the greatest!”

However, there’s one last twist that probably angered comic book fans. As the story ends, the

champ reveals he actually figured out Superman’s secret identity. Allegedly, that’s the only way

the real-life Ali would agree to the comic.

He Freed Hostages From Iraq

In the early 1990s, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, and the American military

was preparing to drive him out. In response, Hussein took hostages—a lot of hostages. Hoping to

use them as shields, the despot captured 2,000 foreigners, 700 of whom were Americans.

Negotiations for their release were going pretty poorly. And then Muhammad Ali stepped in.

Despite his worldwide acclaim, the champ was having a rough time. He’d officially retired from

boxing in 1981 after losing a humiliating decision to Trevor Berbick. Then in 1984, Ali

announced to the world he was suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Six years later, the fast-

talking, quick-moving man was gone. His limbs were shaking, and he was slurring his words.

However, he was still a fighter inside, and when he heard about the hostage situation, he decided

to lend a hand. After all, he was the most famous Muslim in the world and might have some pull

in a predominantly Islamic country.

When Ali arrived in Baghdad, he was ushered into Saddam’s palace and spent 50 minutes talking

with the infamous dictator. Since Ali had trouble speaking, he used a lot of hand gestures to help

get his points across. “I come here on a peace mission,” he managed to convey through his

translator. “I do not come here as a politician. I am an American, and also I am a Muslim.”

Ali told Hussein that releasing the hostages would be a good PR move, convincing the dictator to

agree. And others around the world would see the value of this kind of negotiation—Antonio

Inoki, Ali’s old wrestling opponent, would come to Iraq the following month to seek the release

of Japanese hostages.

The boxer remained in Iraq for several days—visiting shrines, meeting the locals—while waiting

for Saddam to keep his end of the bargain. During his stay, Ali actually ran out of medication for

his disease but refused to fly home until his countrymen were freed. Eventually, Hussein released

15 American prisoners, all of whom owed their lives to Muhammad Ali. No wonder people call

him the Greatest.

Synopsis

Born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1942, Muhammad Ali became an Olympic

gold medalist in 1960 and the world heavyweight boxing champion in 1964. Following

his suspension for refusing military service, Ali reclaimed the heavyweight title two more

times during the 1970s, winning famed bouts against Joe Frazier and George Foreman

along the way. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984, Ali devoted much of his

time to philanthropy, earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. He died on

June 3, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Philanthropy and Diagnosis of Parkinson's

In his retirement, Ali devoted much of his time to philanthropy. He announced that he

had Parkinson's disease in 1984, a degenerative neurological condition, and was

involved in raising funds for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Over the years, Ali also supported the Special Olympics and the Make-A-Wish

Foundation, among other organizations. In 1996, he lit the Olympic cauldron at the

Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, an emotional moment in sports history.

Muhammad Ali holds the torch before lighting the Olympic Flame during the opening

ceremony of the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia on July 19, 1996.

(Photo: Michael Cooper/Getty Images)

Ali traveled to numerous countries, including Mexico and Morocco, to help out those in

need. In 1998, he was chosen to be a United Nations Messenger of Peace because of

his work in developing nations.

In 2005, Ali received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush.

He also opened the Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, that

same year. "I am an ordinary man who worked hard to develop the talent I was given,"

he said. "Many fans wanted to build a museum to acknowledge my achievements. I

wanted more than a building to house my memorabilia. I wanted a place that would

inspire people to be the best that they could be at whatever they chose to do, and to

encourage them to be respectful of one another."

Despite the progression of Parkinson's and the onset of spinal stenosis, Ali remained

active in public life. He was on hand to celebrate the inauguration of the first African-

American president in January 2009, when Barack Obama was sworn into office. Soon

after the inauguration, Ali received the President's Award from the NAACP for his public

service efforts.

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Death and Legacy

Things began taking a turn for the worse within a few years. In early 2015, Ali was

hospitalized for a severe urinary tract infection after having battled pneumonia. He was

hospitalized again in early June 2016 for what was reportedly a respiratory issue. The

revered athlete passed away on the evening of June 3, 2016, at a Phoenix, Arizona

facility.

Ali was survived by his fourth wife, Yolanda ("Lonnie"), whom he had been married to

since 1986. The couple had one son, Asaad, and Ali had several children from previous

relationships, including daughter Laila Ali, who followed in his footsteps by becoming a

champion boxer.

Years before his passing, Ali had planned his own memorial services, saying he wanted

to be “inclusive of everyone, where we give as many people an opportunity that want to

pay their respects to me,” according to a family spokesman. The three-day event, which

took place in Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, included an “I Am Ali” festival of

public arts, entertainment and educational offerings sponsored by the city, an Islamic

prayer program and a memorial service.

Prior to the memorial service, a funeral procession traveled 20 miles through Louisville,

past Ali’s childhood home, his high school, the first boxing gym where he trained and

along Muhammad Ali Boulevard as tens of thousands of fans tossed flowers on his

hearse and cheered his name. The champ’s memorial service was held at the KFC Yum

Center arena with close to 20,000 people in attendance. Speakers included religious

leaders from various faiths, Attallah Shabazz, Malcom X’s eldest daughter, broadcaster

Bryant Gumbel, former President Bill Clinton, comedian Billy Crystal, Ali’s daughters

Maryum and Rasheda and his widow Lonnie.

"Muhammad indicated that when the end came for him, he wanted us to use his life and

his death as a teaching moment for young people, for his country and for the world,"

Lonnie said. "In effect, he wanted us to remind people who are suffering that he had

seen the face of injustice. That he grew up during segregation, and that during his early

life he was not free to be who he wanted to be. But he never became embittered

enough to quit or to engage in violence. "

Former President Clinton spoke about how Ali found self-empowerment: "I think he

decided, before he could possibly have worked it all out, and before fate and time could

work their will on him, he decided he would not ever be disempowered. He decided that

not his race nor his place, the expectations of others, positive, negative or otherwise

would strip from him the power to write his own story. "

Crystal, who was a struggling comedian when he became friends with Ali, said of the

boxing legend: “Ultimately, he became a silent messenger for peace, who taught us that

life is best when you build bridges between people, not walls.”

"You have inspired us and the world to be the best version of ourselves,' Rasheda Ali

spoke to her father. 'May you live in paradise free from suffering. You shook up the

world in life now you're shaking up the world in death. Now you are free to be with your

creator. We love you so much Daddy. Until we meet again, fly butterfly, fly."

Pallbearers included actor Will Smith, who played the champ in the biopic Ali (2001),

and former heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis. Ali was buried at the

Cave Hill National Cemetery in Louisville.

Universally regarded as one of the greatest boxers in history, Ali's stature as a legend

continues to grow even after his death. He is celebrated not only for his remarkable

athletic skills but for his willingness to speak his mind and his courage to challenge the

status quo.

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JOKES

He has everything a boxer needs except speed, stamina, a punch, and ability to take

punishment. In other words, he owns a pair of shorts.

Blackie Sherrod

American sportswriter

Muhammad Ali was on a plane when a stewardess asked him to fasten his seat

belt. Ali told the lady: Superman doesn’t need no seat belt.

The stewardess told the champ: Superman don't need no plane!

Muhammad Ali

(1942 – ) American boxing champion

He now floats like an anchor, stings like a moth.

I'll bet the hardest thing about prize fighting' is picking' up yer teeth with a boxing' glove

on.

Frank ‘Kin’ Hubbard

(1868 – 1930) cartoonist,

There are three things that go on a fighter, first your reflexes go, then your chin goes,

and then your friends go.

Willie Pep

1922 – 2006) American boxing champion

I'm going down so often these days you'd think I was making a blue movie.

John Conteh

Compiled By Lynne Salter