Muhammad Ali in the words of his brother and why the UK will always hold a special place in the family’s heart
The heavyweight legend’s story is only partially told with his brother looking to correct some wrongs and divulge never-before-heard stories
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Your support makes all the difference.Q: Muhammad Ali seems to have a large following in the UK. Why do you think this is?
Rahaman Ali: Muhammad and I made frequent trips to the UK and we loved the people. One of the reasons is because when my brother’s license to box was revoked, America turned against him but the fans in England continued their support for Muhammad. Moreover, a man by the name of Paddy Monaghan, who was a boxer himself and a great admirer of my brother, actually pursued a petition. He was one of Muhammad’s biggest fans. So, being respected and admired by UK fans touched my brother and he told me that.
Q: So the fans in the UK quickly came to embrace The Greatest when his own people were turning their backs on him?
Rahaman Ali: Yes. Muhammad and I quickly came to realise this and it left an indelible mark in our hearts. Travelling to England was always exciting and even though my brother fought English boxing heroes, the fans supported him regardless. Muhammad and I would jog in Hyde Park, we would walk the streets and he’d be running and stopping to sign autographs.
Q: Boxing as a sport was catapulted further when your brother came on the scene, why do you think that was?
Rahaman Ali: It’s obvious that my brother had cultivated this persona that sucked you in. I remember how he would work his magic and just mesmerise the audience wherever we went. I’d be in the background right by his side, and he’d turn into this “actor” spouting his poetry and exuding this confidence that really made him more than merely a boxer. You have to remember that Muhammad was probably the first sportsman of his calibre who went from the back pages onto the front pages in the press. In the ring he dazzled the audience with his skills and his mouth didn’t shut when he was fighting. He would continue to shout, scream and belittle his opponent while at the same time try to knock him out in the round he’d predicted at the press conference. I mean, it was a lot of pressure but he was one of the most confident humans I ever knew.
Q: Would your parents watch him fight?
Rahaman Ali: Yes. Our mother and father would be at the fights. They were very supportive. I was fighting on the undercards of my brother’s famous bouts. Not many people know this. I had always followed him since we were little kids and everything he did, everywhere he went, everyone e met you would find me there with him. Of course, I left all the talking to him. Boy, he could talk! I met presidents, world leaders, movie stars, music stars, sports stars, you name it.
Q: What was he like to train with? As I understand, you were his best sparring partner?
Rahaman Ali: Muhammad and I sparred ever since we took up boxing when we were boys. And so I was able to learn of his bad habits and strengths more so than anyone else who ever got to spar or fight him. However, he never wanted to fight me, though. Not in a boxing fight. And the reason behind this was he loved me more than anyone and would always be protective of me. I was the one who was known in our camp as the “protector” of Muhammad Ali. I was actually his unofficial bodyguard. Back in the 1960s because of the issues in our country and the fact my brother was in the spotlight a lot of people in America started to dislike him. He took on the American Government, the establishment, and made enemies. He did get death threats back in the days. Fortunately nothing materialized. It was hard times and it kept me on my toes because I was responsible for his safety.
Q: Your brother fought some of the best fighters of all time. Do you think he would hold his own if he boxed in the modern era of today with the likes of Deontay Wilder or Anthony Joshua?
Rahaman Ali: Muhammad fought giants George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton. He could take a punch and he was never a quitter. Hi speed was phenomenal. Ernie Shavers, who is regarded as the hardest hitters of all-time in the heavyweight division, gave my brother a very hard fight. I was there ringside. Ernie hit him so hard it hurt him, But Muhammad was never going to quit and I knew it. He always believed in prevailing. I remember Sylvester Stallone came into the dressing room and fooled around with Muhammad. Sly had just been catapulted to fame with his Rocky movie and was a big boxing fan He still is. In fact, in my book My Brother, Muhammad Ali, I talk about their relationship including a never-before-told story. Sly admired my brother and my brother also admired Sly because of his perseverance. To answer your question, Muhammad would’ve ruled the ring in any era.
Q: Speaking of the book, which is the definitive biography, what can the reader learn because the Muhammad Ali story has been told many times now?
Rahaman Ali: I was one human who knew Muhammad Ali more than anyone. Not only did we grow up together and I was his closest family member, but I was literally stuck like glue to him throughout his career. I was able to witness the happy times, and the sad times, the hurdles he had overcome, the death threats and racist abuse that he had to endure. I saw my brother develop into this magnificent personality that made him one of the most popular people around the globe. I had seen biographers who had churned out books on my brother, but none really knew him personally, at least not to the extent that a close family member like myself did. I felt it was imperative I tell the Muhammad Ali story to the world and his fans as his legacy will continue. I also wanted to tell rare and never-before-told stories as well as give my perspective on the all too familiar ones. There’s always been some misunderstanding or untrue stories about my brother. For example, did he really throw the Olympic gold medal in the river or was it made up? Well, I was the only person in the world that can clear this up because I was the only person with him that day. And I unravel the mystery. See, there’s nothing better than going to the source direct instead of relying on second hand information. And it was my attempt to do this in the book once and for all.
Q: What sets Muhammad apart from others in his sport?
Rahaman Ali: The great thing about my brother is that he transcends sport. His appeal goes beyond the confines of the boxing. And people from all walks of life are able to resonate with him. He had this aura about him that uplifted you in his presence. And believe me, those who had the good fortune to meet him, they went away with a great feeling. We all know he was a celebrity, but it was important for him to treat every human the same.
Q: Do you think there’s a side to Muhammad Ali that the fans are unaware of or anything that you felt was important to highlight?
Rahaman Ali: One of the biggest misconception is that my brother was this loud, brash, arrogant man who loved publicity. That’s partly true. Yes, he enjoyed the circus and the publicity and honed this persona. However, behind this confident and larger than life persona there was the Muhammad Ali that only his family knew. Only his close friends knew. And I wanted to gravitate towards the Ali personality that most people are unaware of. How did he spend time with his kids? How did he spend time with his parents and brother growing up? How did he spend time at home with his wife away from the cameras? How did he treat his guests at his home behind closed doors whether it was a house party or a random get together? How did his own brother try to protect him from all the scammers and fraudsters that wanted to get their dirty hands on his cash? And, of course, the ringside stories which I wanted to share with the fans because of the unique position I was part of the close-knit inner circle. So, yes, there were plenty of areas that I felt needed to be highlighted with some revelations too.
Q: Any boxers you think Muhammad would admire today?
Rahaman Ali: I think Tyson Fury has a personality. He likes to entertain. And he brings something extra onto the table. Right now, I can see Fury stepping up his game. Look at him, he’s throwing himself right into it with face-offs and really trying to get the attention in America. As long as he keeps winning I feel Bob Arum will make him into a big star here just like he already is in the UK.
“My Brother, Muhammad Ali: The Definitive Biography” by Rahaman Ali is now available in the UK from all bookstores nationwide and on Amazon.
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