Krink – Krink – Krink, rang the telephone of Muhammed Ali. He picked up the receiver and when he acknowledged the voice of Prof. Betrand Russel calling from UK, Ali was highly elated because Prof. Russel was name and fame then. Prof. Russel then told Ali the following:
“Your efforts in opposing American involvement in Vietnam war is laudable. In the history of humanity there was not a single war more barbaric than this war. When a person of your stature talks, world listens. American public has listened to your voice of opposing this war and they will support you. Please carry forward your fight and I support you” (THE GREATEST).
Finally with the noise Ali made against this war, USA was forced to withdraw from Vietnam. However, while opposing USA, poor Ali was made to suffer, even stripping of his title.
Earlier Prof. Betrand Russel and his group of intellectuals from all around the globe conducted Nuremburg type of trial of American involvement in Vietnam War and came to the conclusion that this war was the most barbaric.
About 33 years back when Soviet Russia occupied Afghanistan, Ali was in Bombay at Brabourne Stadium attending a reception where he was also entertaining the audience. Suddenly an emissary comes there from US President Carter asking Ali to fly back to USA because Carter has appointed him to be his emissary in the Muslim World to explain to the Muslim leaders the necessity of uprooting Russia from Afghanistan. Carter selected Ali for this job to cash on the influence of Ali on Muslim World.
Fr. William Mendonca was my Headmaster at St. Joseph’s High School, Arpora. He was a great lover of Boxing. About 70 years back when the then great Boxer Joe Luis visited Bombay, Fr. William went for his reception, met him and shook hand with him.
Similarly, when Muhammed Ali came to Bombay about 33 years ago, Fr. William again went to meet him when Ali was attending the reception. When Ali saw Fr. William rushing to meet him along with others, Ali shouted at the top of his voice saying “Hey, please make way for the priest to come to me, see even priests are mad after me”. Then Ali hugged Fr. William and laughed heartily to the delight of everyone. Then Fr. William shook hand with Ali and found Ali’s hand like a Rock much harder than that of Joe Luis.
According to my information, the first Goan to encounter Ali was the once ace Goan footballer Franco Fortunato who represented India at Rome Olympics where Ali won his Gold Medal. In one evening in the Olympics Village, while Franco was strolling, he crossed Ali who seeing Franco alone, called him out saying, “hey guy, what are you doing here alone, come join me for the dance party”.
Like Ali no other Boxer displayed swift footedness, this he could do only because he was a very good Ballet dancer. “Rope – a - dope” was his best technique to wear and tire his opponent and this technique helped him to win many bouts.
His other advantage was his genius manager Angelo Dundee who was a master tactician. Once during one fight Ali was totally exhausted and about to lose the fight. At that moment Dundee noticed the Lace of Ali’s Glove is become lose. Immediately he brought it to the notice of the Referee and stopped the fight till some more time was given for Ali to tie that Lace. This helped Ali to regain his composure to win that fight.
The most memorable fight of Ali was this: It was the last round during the “Manila the Thrilla” fight between Ali and Joe Frazier, both were totally exhausted but Frazier was more. His manager noticed this and asked Frazier “can you see?” When the answer was “No”, Ali was so surprised that he collapsed to the ground with happiness. This was the greatest fight of Ali. Will we ever again get another Ali? I doubt because such men comes to this planet only once in centuries. He raised Boxing to the pedestal.
He was the victim of Apartheid in America inspite of the fact that he won the Gold Medal for America in Rome Olympics. This treatment annoyed him so much that out of frustration he finally threw his Gold Medal into the River Ohio when he was refused entry into the “whites only” Restaurant.
According to one source he was very much annoyed at the propagators of Christianity in USA for not doing anything to eradicate Apartheid there and as a mark of protest he surrendered his Christianity in favour of Islam which annoyed American white supremacy. During the period of his suspension and stripping of his title, he suffered mental and financial stress, so much so when he had no money he had to sell even his Radio Set for 10 $.
Was Muhammad Ali the greatest of all? Though he defeated all the greats of his time, namely George Foreman, Ken Norton, Joe Frazier and others yet I still feel he would not defeat Joe Luis and Rocky Marciano if they had to be in the same era. Muhammad Ali became so popular because he took so popular decisions so boldly during his time as none did in the past.
He was very boastful especially of his talent and beautiful face which remained without a single scar inspite of receiving millions of blows on his face. His success in and out of the Ring was his hard work and conviction in his principle that victory will be his. And surely the VICTORY WAS HIS.
A.Veronica Fernande.