As television channels flashed news of Muhammad Ali’s death, it was difficult to come to terms with events. As they spoke about the greatest boxer of all time, it opened a floodgate of memories for me. After all, I have known Ali for 46 years, and it is never easy to accept that he won’t be around, ever again.
But then, such is life.
As I start writing about the great gentleman, I can clearly remember the first time I met him at a gymnasium in Tacoma in 1970. That time, he was banned from boxing as he refused to be a part of the American Army. He had come over to interact with students at a boys club. By then, he was already a superstar, and people were crazy about him, and his success. But he was just like any other person. He walked up to the young boxers and motivated them about the sport, and life. I still remember how that interaction actually encouraged more and more youngsters to take up boxing.
For me, this is what Muhammad Ali was about. He wasn’t scared of anything, and could actually motivate people around him.
Later, when I joined his team as part of the coaching staff, I came closer to the genius. There were two camps, in California and Pennsylvania, and he would train there too. When not in the ring, he was down to earth and would talk about anything and everything. He even asked me about how we trained young boxers, and what strategies we used to keep them fit. But the moment he was surrounded by people and fans, he would act like a showman. He wouldn’t speak much and would appear as a superstar.
This contrasting character made Ali a legend.
Even though he was a superstar, he would time and again come to camps in California with his wife. So what if he was a champion, he enjoyed life to the fullest. He loved his drinks, and was enthusiastic about other sports as well. Despite being on top of the world, he would watch soccer and other games. At times, I wonder how could someone as famous as him be interested about so many sports. But then, Ali was altogether a different person. Later, I even found out that he was a keen follower of cricket.
I believe this diverse interest helped him grow as a sportsperson, and perhaps that’s what made him stand out!
Ali was one of the very few boxers who would help youngsters, and often train with them. On one of the tours to California, Ali sparred with the heavyweight boxers, and continued fighting almost the whole day. Whenever they would get fatigued, he would give a pat on their back and ask them to start fighting again. That’s how it was. Ali was never hesitant to hit the ring. Despite training the whole day, the heavyweight boxers left the gym with a smile on their faces.
Even during practice, he was a determined soul. There would be times when he would intentionally not train, but made it a point to work extra the next day. Be it championship bouts or any other event, he was always raring to go.
People may just remember him for a handful of bouts, especially the ones with Joe Frazier. But even for a low-profile bout, Ali would prepare equally hard. Today, as I look back at the days bygone, I believe boxing and Ali were made for each other. In my long coaching career with him, I have never seen him say no to any bout.
Perhaps, that was the charm of the great Muhammad Ali.
Since we were of the same age, I shared a good rapport with him, and he was nice and down to earth every time we spoke. It has been a great journey together, friend. It is still tough to believe we’ll never meet again. Rest in Peace, Ali. You were the greatest of them all!
(Clough is the technical director of Indian Boxing Council, and has been head coach of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Club. He spoke to Shayan Acharya)