On June 3rd not only the world of boxing, but the world in general lost a great man. Muhammad Ali passed away at the age of 74 years old, one day after being admitted to a Phoenix hospital with a respiratory issue. Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984 and battled that for over 30 years. His life had a major impact on many and inspired so many. He inspired me and made boxing my passion.
Muhammad Ali, I thank you for you made me love boxing and have it as my passion. Though I never watched any of your fights live, I studied you as I grew up and not just your fighting style. You see you were bigger then the sport, as you were a multiple time Heavyweight World Champion. You are the greatest of all time. I read what they did to you for you standing up for your belief and I respected you so much for that. You lost years of fighting, but you didn’t give in and eventually you won your fight against the government. I read and studied so much about you watched videos, read books and at times shadow boxing I would imitate you. I would scream out ‘I shook up the world, I’m a bad man’.
I idolized you for making me fall in love with the sweet science and making me see as a young man that having a position as you did to never hide your beliefs and say what’s on my mind and what’s in my heart. I will forever give you credit for that part of me even though we never met.
As a kid I was a fan and loved the sport thanks to Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, but you made it a passion. I knew because of you that boxing one way or another would be a big part of my life. You shook up the world. You rope a doped against George Foreman. You gave us the Thrilla in Manila against Joe Frazier. You never avoided anybody.
You made people want to see you fight and was loved by many and yes despised by others, but that only added fuel to you. You were the original man with the gift of gab in boxing. People wanted to hear you speak and hear your interviews. You could sell a fight better then people could sell ice on a Summer day. You were and always will be the greatest.
Muhammad you battled demons and went through hell as well, but you persevered even with the deep cost. You were a man who know his flaws and admitted it to many. You were a man of the people, yes, the People’s Champ. You were human though to many of us we place you above. You inspired a Nation, a World, and countless people. You stood up wore your heart and your sleeve and became a legend. You are the one and only G.O.A.T.
As I sit here writing this I can honestly say I shed some tears and I never met you, but you had a profound impact on my life. You gave me a passion as I’m sure you did countless others. You gave hope and provided joy to many and many hearts hurt as you are no longer here with us.
Rest In Peace Champ. The greatest of all time my idol. You rumble young man rumble. You float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. I know once you walked through those pearly gates the Angels beat on the Heavenly drums and God said, “The Champ is here.” They beat those drums again and one more time God said, “Whooo The Champ Is Here.”
– Michael Rueda / @wolf2988
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