The Greatest!

[Chocoholic]

News tonight that Ali is gravely ill. A true legend and gentleman is worthy of prayers, whatever form they may take. Hope he doesn't suffer.

 

Ali gravely ill, says brother - The Irish Times - Sun, Feb 03, 2013

Ali gravely ill, says brother

 

Muhammad Ali during training on July 10th, 1972, for his fight with Al Blue Lewis held at Croke Park. Photograph: Don Morley/Getty Images

 

Boxing: Muhammad Ali is so ill he could die within days, his brother has said. Rahman Ali said the former world heavyweight champion cannot speak and no longer recognises him.

“My brother can’t speak, he doesn’t recognise me. He’s in a bad way. He’s very sick,” said Rahman

“It could be months, it could be days. I don’t know if he’ll last the summer. He’s in God’s hands. We hope he gently passes away.

“He told me before he got really bad that he’s in no pain. He grabbed my arm and whispered ‘Rah, I’ve achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to accomplish. Don’t cry for me, I’m in no pain’.

“It’s best he goes now. The longer he goes on, so does his suffering and misery.”

Ali won gold at the 1960 Olympics and after turning professional went on to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.

The 71-year-old had several iconic fights during his career, including 1974’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ with George Foreman and the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ against Joe Frazier the following year.

Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1984 but remained active for many years and memorably lit the Olympic flame in Atlanta in 1996.

[Frankenhooker]

Shit. Nothing else to say.

[KMD7]

Ah fuck it. Really down hearing this news. My favourite boxer of all time and one of my sporting heros. Glad to hear he's not in any pain.

[halewood pete]

Truly one of sports greatest characters.

[Champ]

That's really caught me out.

[razor]

We share a birthday (just saying).

 

I love him and always will - boxer and man.

[lifetime fan]

Inspirational.

[KMD7]

Read on SSN teletext this morning that his 2 daughters have refuted the claims and said that they has spoken to him yesterday morning and that he is fine and in good health. Hope it's true.

[Byrnie]

Best heavyweight of all time. Hopefully he recovers, but doubt he has a good quality of life now.

 

I'd disagree with the op calling him a gentleman though. Probably for another thread but he was anything but a gentleman, in my opinion.

[AngryOfTuebrook]

Gravely ill again.

 

2016 can cut this fucking shit out now!

[AngryOfTuebrook]

I'd disagree with the op calling him a gentleman though. Probably for another thread but he was anything but a gentleman, in my opinion.

Disagree with this, by the way.

[Lee909]

Sad news

He did say some shitty things in the past both in general and especially to Frazier. I dont think the Frazier things were meant as personal as Joe took them but both were stubborn men who were not backing away from anything said. Fair to say his other opinion changed and its hard to judge his opinions unless youve dealt with the shit he did as a young black man in the south pre rights.

 

 

Anyway thats all for another thread

Horrible news

[Nunavut Patrick]

Ali rose to fame when boxing was a big fucking deal.

 

The Super Bowl, NFL, NBA, etc were not big sporting events but Ali bouts were.

 

He is iconic.

 

"I ain't got no quarrel with the Viet Cong"

[Remmie]

I don't think Sport will ever see anything remotely like him. I know that's said about a lot of people, but it is so true of him. The way he fought the establishment and in many ways won, let alone his stellar boxing career; it demands not just admiration but inspiration. So charismatic, intelligent, funny and fierce.

 

I really think he is bigger to Sport than Elvis was to Music. An icon of the 20th century.

[Nunavut Patrick]

I don't think Sport will ever see anything remotely like him. I know that's said about a lot of people, but it is so true of him. The way he fought the establishment and in many ways won, let alone his stellar boxing career; it demands not just admiration but inspiration. So charismatic, intelligent, funny and fierce.

 

I really think he is bigger to Sport than Elvis was to Music. An icon of the 20th century.

To be fair though Rem one of his foes upstaged him with his grill.

 

Might have to give the edge to Big George here.

[Allan]

Being reported that he has now passed away.

[lifetime fan]

Fuck!

 

That's really shit.

 

Legend.

[Frankenhooker]

BBC reporting he's gone. He can stop fighting now.

[lifetime fan]

Now being reported on the beeb site.

 

Gutted.

 

2016 is turning out to be a cunt.

[Dante]

 

 

[Mendoza]

[General Dryness]

One of my first toys that I can remember was an Ali puppet. You put your hand in it and it had levers that you squeezed inside to make him throw punches.

 

RIP Champ.

[dickie mint]

The Greatest - will never forget the great fights - RIP.

[aRdja]

[Dougie Do'ins]

Sad news but probably a blessing given his condition. He was the reason I started watching boxing as a kid.