Thanks Foxy, Ali was literally one in a million, o sung wu can testify to what happens to the other 999,999. Often boxing offered the only way out of poverty and crime. Even the lucky few who made it, the majority squandered their wealth and for many the lifestyle was too much. Seems Ali held on to a good chunk of his wealth of around $57 million. For a boxer of the times, that could also be seen as an achievement.

Hi o sung wu, it was nothing personal then, no deep philosophical reason they just didn't like his flamboyant style. The story goes that it was a copper who was responsible for getting Ali into the ring in the first place. Not as a classic juvenile delinquent type, but as a 12 year old, Cassius Clay had his bike stolen, and a copper suggested boxing as a way to release the boys anger about the theft. Another time, another place, that copper could have been you, and a good bloke he was to. PCYC (girls are in these days) does an outstanding job with kids off the streets and others. Should be more of it, money well spent.

Dear Paul,

My favourite quotes of Muhammad Ali's are:

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room
on earth."

"Don't count the days, make the days count."

Hi there PAUL1405...

An Irish bloke I regularly sparred with in the seventies; Heretofore the European Middleweight Champion in the sixties. And former contender for the World Middleweight Title, was beaten by KO, by the incomparable 'Dick Tiger' of Nigeria.

It's considered the Middleweight division is perhaps the toughest division in which to fight ! He fought in the late fifties, sixties, and later in the 1970's on TV Ringside - Melbourne, past his prime.

I'll not mention his name. He's now deceased, previously a broken man, with adult onset of Epilepsy, with just a few sad reminiscences in which to recount his heyday as a champion. Unfortunately Paul, we parted on very very bad terms, I had an affair with his wife to my enduring shame. He later returned to Coventry, England and died. I hope he's at peace now ? Before he passed, I was told he'd became a violent, brawling drunk, who was feared and shunned by all his friends.

I recall him often telling me '...to be a good pug, you gotta be poor, hungry, with a lotta mongrel and violence in you, and again, 'f...n' hungry...'? He reckoned all these ingredients were necessary for a pro. fighter.

Interestingly most of his era claimed that ALI was KO'd by the great Henry COOPER during their title fight in London. Henry had a vicious left hook, which caught ALI beautifully, he was down for the count, it was known in the trade as "enry's hammer" ! The Ref gave a painfully slow count, allowing the Bell to ring, saving ALI !

During my time in London (late 1960's - prior to joining the coppers & after discharge from the Army), I trained at the 'Thomas 'A Becket' in the East End, where COOPER trained. It was in fact a pub, with the gym above. This was the time the KRAY'S were active.

I had the privilege to spar with COOPER and the current European H'Weight Champion, Jack BODELL. For a big man, BODELL could sure move. Both men merely 'played with me' - it was humiliating !