I’ve read a few people paying tribute to’Muhammad Ali by describing him as “probably the best sportsman of all time“. They are wrong. There is no “probably” about it. The man was a giant not only of boxing or sport but of life. He was/is universally adored for his genius, his charisma and his humanity.
Here are a few obituaries to The Greatest I think are’really special and interesting.
This is Frank Keating of The Guardian whose obituary to Ali was written before his own death in 2013. Click here
Also in The Guardian is a brilliant time-line of Ali’s life – Click here
Gareth Davies of The Telegraph has’an excellent tribute – Click here
As some of you will no doubt be aware Ali visited Newcastle and South Shields in the 1970s (I know because my old man dragged me along to get a glimpse of a man he adored). This piece enclosed written by Geordie Russ Routledge who formed a friendship with’Muhammad Ali – Burgers with’Muhammad Ali. Have a read of this wonderful story by just clicking here
Russ also had a book published about Ali’s visit to Tyneside and you can get a look at it here‘
I’m sure if you pop into our own Backpage book store in Newcastle you’ll be able to pick up a copy. As I understand it, Paul Brown (author of All The Smiling Faces) supported Russ in the writing of the book.
No-one who is any kind of sports fan can’t have been captivated by the drama of sports photography. In many ways, Ali was the perfect subject for photography. If you want to have a look at the majesty of the King of the Ring then I’d recommend you have a look here
If you want to read more about Ali, might I recommend Norman Mailer’s classic The Fight. Click here
I read this book Muhammed Ali – His Life and Times, some time ago and if you haven’t read it, you might enjoy it. Click here
You might get these books from The Backpage. Worth having a look if you can.
In summary, Muhammed Ali set the bar in terms of the nobility of sport. Anyone who plays any sport should’aspire to achieve Ali’s level of nobility. They never will though.’
THE GREATEST – REST IN PEACE!’
I never had much interest in boxing before or since, but Ali was so much more than a boxer. I remember getting up in the middle of the night as a teenager to listen to the commentaries of his fights. A man where the word great is not nearly enough. He gave the world inspiration and if health had not intervened it would probably have been even more.
That is such a great piece that from Frank Keating. Nearly in tears reading about his courage and his humanity never mind his sheer boxing ability.
That is such a great piece that. Nearly in tears reading about his courage and his humanity never mind his sheer boxing ability.
If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything.
What a man.
Nice words Michael, good links to ..well done. The world has lost a truly special person. RIP the Greatest