Muhammad Ali'

Muhammad Ali' the Greatest Ever Lived
Who left a legacy of thrilling fights, Trashing
talk poetry that we all loved '& taking a stand
against inequality and WAR!
We will never forget - He will always
be in our Hearts...

Good Afternoon my dears & Welcome to my humble blog. Today is a day to remember a great man, who was also a humanitarian, stood up for his equal right & for all the people. And lastly He stood up to a war because of his religious believes. Muhammad Ali changed the sport of boxing...
The 74year old three time heavyweight champion wanted the

memorial service in a arena. [ I found he was very much part of his memorial service once it was time for him to meet his God. And he wanted to help his family from the hard burden and sadness of the plans yu have to make after a love one has passed. This shows how a deep and kindly man he was and that he will be truly missed]. He wanted multiple religions to have a voice while honoring the traditions of his Muslim faith. Ali also wanted ordinary fans to be able to attend, not just the VIPs. He was never downcast when talking about his death, said a spokesman for the Ali family. The spokesman recalled Ali's own words during the meetings on planning his own funeral; 'Its OK. We're here to do the job the way I want it. It's fine. says Ali.
It would seem that the final revisions were made days before Ali

had died, which was on Friday 3, 2016 with his family by his side.

For years, the plan was to have Ali's body lie in repose at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville. That tribute was dropped at the last minute because his wife Lonnie worried it would cause the center to be shut down and she knew people would want to gather there in grief. In its place, a miles-long procession was added that will carry Ali's body across his beloved hometown. Then it will drive past the museum that was built in Ali's honor, along the boulevard named after him - through the neighborhood where he grew up, raced bicycles and shadowboxed through the street as a young boy. In a city that is accustomed to capturing the world's attention for just two minutes during the Kentucky Derby each year, Ali's memorial service Friday looms as the most historic event in Louisville's history. There will be former presidents, heads of nations from around the globe, movie stars and sport greats will descend upon Louisville to pay final respects to the Louisville Lip of poems. "Float like a butterfly, Sting like a bee, your hands can't hit, what your eyes can't see."
"Its been a really bittersweet time for our city,' said the Mayor.

We've all been dreading the passing of the Champ, but at the same time we knew ultimately it would come. It would be selfish for anybody to think that he could live forever for all of us. The major of the city has said, it was the people of Louisville to send Ali off in first class with the respect and dignity that the Champ deserves and his family too. As for the A list-
President Bill Clinton, which was a longtime friend is going to deliver the eulogy at Ali's funeral at he KFC YUM! Center, where the 15,000 seats are likely to be filled.
There will be other speakers which will include representatives of

multiple faiths, including Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism,
Mormonism and finally Catholicism.
After the speakers of multiple faiths, it will be followed by Ali's wife,daughter Maryun Ali, Billy Crystal, sportscaster Bryant Gumbel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and finally the King Abdullah ll of Jordan. As I go through Ali's plans for his funeral I can seen how much he was truly involved with his last rights so that his family wouldn't be overwhelmed with all the details that Ali wanted.

He was a man that want everyone of all faiths to be able to say their goodbyes and the common folks just like you and I. Thank makes him a truly kind, loving and one for peace around the world of all faiths and people kinda man. I didn't meet him but I did see him in high school. More to come later. On this day before Ali's star-studded funeral, members of Ali's Islamic faith will get their chance to say a traditional goodbye to their friend.....Ali.
A Jenazah, a traditional Muslim funeral service, will be held at the freedom hall in Louisville at noon Thursday, it will be open to all!
Ali fought and won , his first professional fight was in this city in 1960. Gianotti said on Monday the Muslim funeral service was

'Critically important for the global Muslim community to say goodbye to their beloved champ. The inner circle that happened to help Ali with his funeral preparations were his attorney, business associate and his lovely wife. It would seem that Ali had when over the entire plan and signed it - certified it and approved it just weeks before the end. Ali's grave site will far more subdued, in contrast to his oversized personality in life. It will be a modest marker in accord with Muslim tradition which is planned by his attorney. As for what Ali words Ali wanted inscribed on his marker that won't be seen till all the funeral proceedings are done. Ali was born as Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17, 1942. He began boxing at a young age of 12, after his new bicycle was stolen. After that day Ali vowed to a police officer that he would 'whup' the person who took his bike. And from that day he got help in the gym to become a boxer, and never left. As the days turned into weeks, then months to years, Ali became the 'Louisville Lip' with his charisma wit and charm. 

He was quite possibly was the most famous person on the planet. Muhammad Ali would repeatedly prove this statement 'I am the greatest'. At the end of my post I will have a collection of his most famous quotes and a story of my own encounter with the Great Muhammad Ali. 
Ali had a Incomparable career in the world of boxing. In fact he was one of the only boxers at the time that boxer all over the world and for that time it was quite amazing. However this was all Muhammad Ali doing. Ali had beat the seemingly unbeatable

Liston. Then he fought a few thrilling fights with Joe Frazier and he stopped the huge fighter George Foreman which was a big disappointment for Foreman. This fight was called
'Rumble in the Jungle' which was in Zaire, now the Democratic of the Republic in Congo. Ali

was the one who promoted the fight, by saying some of his famous quotes. 'You think the world was shocked when Nixon resigned. Wait till I whup George Foreman's behind'.

After the upset of Liston to win the heavyweight title in 1964. Ali had a huge announced to make he had just become a member of the Nation of Islam, which was a wildly unpopular

thing to do at the time in 1964. Ali said he was rejecting his 'Slave Name', -Cassius Clay, in favour of Muhammad Ali. Even more divisive among both the black and white Americans - Ali's had stood  against the Vietnam war. Ali said' I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong' however, he was still convicted of draft evasion, & sadly stripped of his title, banned from boxing for more than three years. Also he was reviled by many as a hero to some at the time and at the eulogies hard to remember the hatred that had come to such a kind soul.

Later the US supreme court overturned his conviction and granted him conscientious objector status. Ali after that traveled the world for Islam and many other causes. He met world leaders including Nelson Mandela an amateur boxer in his youth who was a great admirer.
Then when Ali traveled to the Philippines to meet the President of the country - Ferdinand Marcos' He said- ' I saw your wife. Your not as dumb as you look.'
As far as promoted Ali fights there was at least 26+ of them. 'They

say that he was the most transforming figure of all time. Why? well, he did a lot more that just boxing you know. Ali made more changes in race relations and the views of people than even Martin Luther King. It was an privilege and a honor for anyone I believe to be so lucky to either meet or be associated with him. I think this would be the best place for me to put my memory that I have of Muhammad Ali. I was lucky to meet him in high school. I really don't know if he was still alive if he would remember because he did so many kind things for young and for teenagers in the school system, in the late 70's .. Of course I am aging my self again. But that's ok. Its a wonderful memory for which I had wished my photographer for our yearbook new about, however it was a spring of the moment thought on Ali I believe. So there was no time for the office folks to try to keep as many students from going home before he arrived. All I do remember was the speaker came on very loud. Saying not to go to your five or 6period. And for you seniors and juiors that might be heading home for the day. There is a huge surprise guess that will be out on the school field. We cant tell you who it is but he is a legend. Well they made a ooppps so we knew a little. I didn't know where my sister was she was going to the same high school too. And my brother but I sure hoped they made it out here at the field.

It seemed that a lot of us decieded to check it out. the stands were getting full fast. So I started to run to get a set. As I did I saw a huge limo all black, with many other black big cars surrounding the limo coming into the school field. The stands were getting quite crazy with excitement. All were wondering who could this guess be. As I waited with everybody else and notice none had a camera I did have a good view. The limo settled down right in front of the stands.. There was a place for a person to stand and speak with a microphone. At first I didn't see who it was even though ever one else was screaming and cheering. Then I catch a glimp of who it was ... Yes it was Muhammad Ali who had come to my high school to have a speech for us on our future. I don't remember the speech but I do remember his kind words to all. He was there for almost 3hours and after that he stayed to answer as many questions as he could. That day will stay I my mind which isn't the easiest thing to remember things but Muhammad Ali I will always remember.

In the year 1984 at the age of 42 Ali was given a diagnosis of Parkinson's after retiring from the boxing ring. The doctors have debated whether the estimated 29,000 punches Ali took to the head in all those 61fights and the countless sparring sessions played apart to his Parkinson's. There was a unique tragedy in seeing the most beautiful, graceful and articulate of sportsmen robbed of his being able to walk easily, speak and those amazing facial expressions. Yeah, it never really stopped Ali.

In Atlanta in 1996, even though his hands were trembling from the Parkinson,he lit the Olympic torch. Later on Saturday, politicians, historians and sportspeople praise him, on his legacy and flair. Bill Clinton said,
'From the day he claimed the Olympic Gold Medal in 1960, boxing fans across the world knew they were seeing a blend of beauty and grace, speed and strength that may never be matched again.

We watched him grow from the brash self-confidence of youth and success into a manhood full of religious and political convictions that led him to make tough choices and live with the consequences. Along the way we saw him courageous in the ring, inspiring to the young, compassionate to those in need and strong and good humored in bearing the burden of his own health challenges.
The Rev Jesse Jackson, founder and president of the Rainbow Push

Coalition and a longtime friend, said 'He was a champion in the ring, but more than that, a hero beyond the ring. When champions win, people carry them off the field on their shoulders. When heroes win people ride on their shoulders. We rode on Muhammad Ali's shoulders.' 

Ali met the Beatles in 1964 when the group flew to Miami to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show, Sir Paul McCartney said' I loved that Man'!!!
Ali is survived by his fourth wife the former Lonnie Williams who knew him when she was a child in Louisville - and his nine children. His funeral will take place in his hometown of Louisville, where flags were lowered to half mast on Saturday morning and flowers laid at the Muhammad Ali Center.
It would seem that Ali was once asked about his preferred legacy and his answer was this' I would like to be remembered as a man who won the heavy weight title three times, who was humorous and who treated everyone right. 'As a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him...who stood up for his beliefs...who tried to unite all humankind through faith and love. And if all that's too much, then I guess I'd settle for being remembered only as a great boxer who became a leader and a champion of his people. And I wouldn't even mind if folks forget how pretty I was'

Ali's legendary career stretched from 1960-1981, with dazzling fans with slick moves in the ring and outside the ring. Also his amazing wit and engaging persona. 1-Ali took part also in great historic bouts as the Rumble in the Jungle fight which was in Kinshasa, Zaire in 1974 against George Foreman. 2-There was another highlighted fight in in Manilla, that included a two knock-outs of Sonny Liston and his epic rivalry with Joe Frazier. 3-Before Ali turned professional he won the light heavyweight gold in Rome Olympics when he beat Australia's Tony Madigan.
Other interesting facts about the legend-
Once vilified in some quarters for his conversion to Islam and his outspoken stance on civil rights issues, Ali held firm to earn dozens of tributes, lighting the Olympic torch in 1996 in Atlanta and being named a UN messenger of peace in 1998.
He then received the highest US civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. "Muhammad Ali transformed this country and impacted the world with his spirit.
Even our President Barack Obama reflected on Ali 'Know as a man who fought for what was right not just inside the ring but outside it as well.'

Muhammad Ali's Greatest Quotes-

1. "Float like a butterfly, Sting like a bee, your hands can't hit, what your eyes can't see."
— Prior to his fight against George Foreman in 1974.
2. "I am the greatest, I'm the greatest that ever lived. I don't have a mark on my face."
— After he beat competitor Sonny Liston in 1964.
3. "No I’m not going 10,000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over.”
— On April 29, 1967, while refusing to fight in the Vietnam war.
4. "Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them: a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill."
— Prior to a fight against George Foreman in 1974. 
5. "I am America. I am the part you won't recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky, my name not yours. My religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me."
— In 1970 when he was convicted of draft evasion.
6. "I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion."
— On working hard
7. "Ain't no reason for me to kill nobody in the ring, unless they deserve it."
— Ali commented after the match with Jimmy Ellis in July 1971.
8. "Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up"
— In "Chambers Sporting Quotations‎" (1990) by Simon James 
9. "To make America the greatest is my goal, so I beat the Russian and I beat the Pole. And for the USA won the medal of gold. The Greeks said you're better than the Cassius of old."
— After winning the Olympic light-heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Games in Rome.
10. The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.
— Interview in "Playboy" magazine in November 1975.
11. "My soul has grown over the years, and some of my views have changed. As long as I am alive, I will continue to try to understand more because the work of the heart is never done."
— "The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey" (2004), written with Hana Yasmeen Ali.
12. “I always bring out the best in men I fight, but Joe Frazier, I’ll tell the world right now, brings out the best in me. I’m gonna tell ya, that’s one helluva man, and God bless him.”
— After the 'Thrilla in Manila.' 
13. “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.”
14. "Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even."
15. "It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe."
16. "It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself." 
17. "Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing."
18. "I'm the most recognized and loved man that ever lived cuz there weren't no satellites when Jesus and Moses were around, so people far away in the villages didn't know about them."
19. "Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you're going to be right."
20. "If you even dream of beating me you'd better wake up and apologize." 
21. "I wish people would love everybody else the way they love me. It would be a better world."
22. “The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.”
23. "At home I am a nice guy: but I don’t want the world to know. Humble people, I’ve found, don’t get very far."
24. "If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it - then I can achieve it."
25. "If you sign to fight me, you need speed and endurance but what you need most is to increase your insurance."
26. "It's hard to be humble, when you’re as great as I am."
27. "I won't miss Boxing; Boxing will miss me"
28. "When you can whip any man in the world, you never know peace."
29. "The will must be stronger than the skill."
30. "There are no pleasures in a fight, but some of my fights have been a pleasure to win."

Good evening yes this post took me all day

but it was a important post

God speed Ali