MUHAMMAD ALI CELEBRATES HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY TOMORROW
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 16 Jan 2012
Muhammad Ali, recognized by many as ?The Greatest? heavyweight if not the greatest boxer of all-time, celebrates his 70th birthday in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky tomorrow.
On the eve of his birthday some 300 guests gathered at a party at the Ali Center to mark the occasion. Among them was his 90 year old trainer Angelo Dundee and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.
Lewis who was himself regarded as one of the best heavyweights ever said ? I feel so proud and honored that we're able to show our feelings and show our support for him."
The private party was a $1,000-a-head fundraiser for the Ali Center, a six-year-old cultural and education complex designed to be a legacy to his social activism. The six-story centre also retraces Ali's career, including his epic bouts against Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Sonny Liston.
Dundee who was in Ali?s corner for the famous ?Thrilla in Manila? against Joe Frazier told the Courier-Journal of Louisville, ?'We've always been family and we're always going to be family. He'll say, "Angie, I want to come and train. That's what I miss the most. Being in the gym. Working up a sweat."'
Ali?s fourth wife Lonnie who has been a tower of strength by his side all these years said Ali had mixed feelings about his birthday, adding 'He's glad he's here to turn 70, but he wants to be reassured he doesn't look 70."
Wracked by Parkinson?s disease which has impaired his speech and forces him to be moved around in a wheelchair, Ali remains an iconic figure whose Muslim faith and his stature helped secure the release of three Americans who were imprisoned in Iran . The Americans were guests at the celebration.
Ali who is best remembered for his epic trilogy with Frazier whom he beat twice, the last being the classic showdown at the Araneta Coliseum when Ali won by a 14th round TKO, attended Frazier?s funeral last year and by sheer will rose from his seat and applauded his famous rival at his funeral.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who helped make the ?Thrilla in Manila? earlier told the Manila Standard he is hoping Ring Magazine pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao can attend one of the events to mark the 70th birthday celebration of Ali on February 18 in Las Vegas.
Arum said the Cleveland Clinic - Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health - is the cutting edge on brain disorders such as Parkinson?s disease and Alzheimer and they are doing a dinner in honor of Ali who has Parkinson?s. Arum said he had had been asked to bring in former fighters to join the celebration.
Arum said he already had commitments from George Foreman, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks, Chuck Wepner, George Chuvalo and also Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns and Roberto Duran and we?re reaching out for Marvin Hagler.
Arum said ?Hopefully I?ll be talking to Manny and he can join the festivities and I?ll even allow him to sing a song in honor of Muhammad Ali. So it should be a great, great night.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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