Muhammad Ali was undeniably the greatest boxer of the 20th Century. The heavyweight regarded his Manila fight with Joe Frazier as the closest thing to death he ever experienced' fights and his recapturing the title against George Foreman in Zaire was his greatest upset. These fights lasted 15 rounders or a TKO or KO. The last 3 were called the 'championship rounds' and boxers sacrificed their body and soul during those final 9 minutes. Ali's present slurred speech and stuttering steps were painful reminders of boxing's deadly effects.
In 1996 Muhammad Ali was invited to Indonesia.
My friend Abe went to a Jakarta party in his honor. He was appalled by Ali's deterioration, especially when Ali came up to him and said, "You look like my Uncle Ernie."More...
Abe was a short white Jewish guy from Brooklyn.
He almost cried hearing Ali say these words.
Sic transit gloria mundi.
Fame is fleeting, but Ali wasn't through with Abe. At the end of the festivities Ali shuffled behind Abe and whispered, "And my Uncle Ernie was ugly too."
Abe had to laugh, for like many fighters and the US government he had underestimated the Kentucky native.
The body might be weak, but the floating butterfly had not lost its sting.
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