WBC PRESIDENT SULAIMAN PAYS TRIBUTE TO ALI
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Feb 2012
World Boxing Council president Don Jose Sulaiman is disappointed that he could not attend what he described as ?The magnificent and extraordinary tribute? rendered by the MGM and boxing fans to the fighter Sulaiman extolled as ?The greatest boxing hero of all-time? Muhammad Ali.
In his widely read column ?Hook to the Body? Sulaiman said he sent his son and WBC executive secretary Mauricio Sulaiman with instructions not to wait until the dinner affair begins because there would be about 3,000 guests and instead asked him to visit Ali in his suite.
Mauricio did just that and took with him several photos of the many visits Ali made to Mexico, especially his visits to Ciudad Valles which Sulaiman said is at the center of the Indian ?huasteca? where he remembers Ali took many of the Indian children in his arms and kissed them.
Don Jose recalled that the people showed ?great recognition and appreciation? for what Ali did.
Sulaiman said visited Mexico twice ?to support my reelection in 1980 and 1988.? The WBC president said Ali?s wife Lonnie was also ?very excited and happy as she went with him to Valles, and later married him and devoted all of her life to be at his side as a show of love to the greatest of all time.?
He said ?Only those who have a dear friend who we also admire, can understand my feelings to know that far from forgetting, Ali showed a deep feeling of friendship and nostalgia to those very happy days, when I was a real close friend of his.?
Sulaiman stressed that Ali is ?The greatest fighter that my eyes have seen of the heavyweights bringing a new style of grace movement, a great jab and power, " of floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee."
The WBC president remembered Ali as ?The same person who challenged the government, even when he lost 3 ? of the greatest years of his life? when his license to fight was revoked.
However, Sulaiman noted that when he returned he showed human beings that he who has principles, religious deep feelings, determination, perseverance and faith can beat ny obstacle presented by life, and that Is the basis of the world's love and admiration for the greatest boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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