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Family says Muhammad Ali watched Super Bowl, not on verge of death

By Kevin Iole | Shutdown Corner – Sun, Feb 3, 2013 8:48 PM EST
Muhammad Ali poses before the Super Bowl. (Credit: Ali spokesman Bob Gunnell)Muhammad Ali poses before the Super Bowl. (Credit: Ali spokesman Bob Gunnell)The family of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali has disputed a report in a London newspaper that the flamboyant ex-heavyweight champion is near death. Instead, family spokesman Bob Gunnell said Ali was in his Phoenix area home watching the Super Bowl wearing Baltimore Ravens' gear.
Ali's daughter, May May, later confirmed to the Associated Press that the boxing great was watching the game.
The 71-year-old Ali, who was famously stripped of the heavyweight title in 1967 for refusing induction into the military service, has had Parkinson's disease since 1984. He appears frail, but has made several public appearances over the last several months.
The Sun quoted Rahman Ali as saying that his brother no longer recognizes him.
My brother can’t speak. He doesn't recognize me. He's in a bad way. He's very sick. 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.
The Louisville Courier-Journal, Ali's hometown newspaper, reached out to his wife, Lonnie, who referred the paper to Gunnell. Gunnell disputed The Sun report.
He looks great. He's having a Super Bowl party.
Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in Louisville on Jan. 17, 1942, Ali became one of the most famous faces in the world during a career that spanned two decades. He won an Olympic gold medal in 1960 in Rome, then won the heavyweight title on three occasions. He defeated Sonny Liston for the belt in 1964 while still known as Clay.
He was stripped of the title in 1967 for refusing induction into the military service, famously saying, "I ain't got no quarrel with them Vietcong."
After three years in exile, Ali returned in 1970 and scored impressive wins over Jerry Quarry and Oscar Bonavena. That set up what may be the most famous match in boxing history, a March 8, 1971, bout against Smokin' Joe Frazier.
It pitted a pair of unbeaten superstars in their primes, each of whom had a claim to the heavyweight belt. Frazier knocked Ali down with a thunderous left hook in the 15th round, perhaps the most famous punch in boxing history, en route to a unanimous decision. They would fight twice more, with Ali winning both times. Their 1975 bout in Manila, Philippines, which Ali dubbed "The Thrilla in Manila," is regarded as one of the greatest fights in boxing history.
Ali's last public appearance came at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans in January.
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565 comments

  • chris
    42Rate a Thumb UpRate a Thumb Down8
    Chris  •  1 hour 32 minutes ago Report Abuse
    As a 45 yr old guy who has always had some self-esteem issues, i often cue up some old tapes of Ali talking at a press-conference or after a fight, and he gives me alittle bit more courage to speak to a large group of people. Thanks Champ!
    7 Replies
  • Christina Bever
    192Rate a Thumb UpRate a Thumb Down39
    Christina Bever  •  11 hours ago Report Abuse
    being a white American raised in a very racist house during a very racist period in America "1960s" I idolized ALI he was, is, and always will be the GREATEST BOXER and GREATEST personality in boxing. I thank you Mr. Ali for opening my eyes to a very colorful world. I am approaching 60 now and you... More
    19 Replies
  • surfer
    113Rate a Thumb UpRate a Thumb Down28
    Surfer  •  9 hours ago Report Abuse
    For every person here calling him a draft dodger....you need to take a serious look at our long list of political chicken hawks before you spew any more nonsense. #$%$ Cheney was the "Greatest" at draft deferrments, and Clinton, Rumsfeld, et al are right there with him. At least Ali didn't take the... More
    16 Replies
  • G
    56Rate a Thumb UpRate a Thumb Down13
    G  •  6 hours ago Report Abuse
    71 years young with Parkinson's and even he knew that the Ravens were going to win!
    5 Replies
  • JustADude
    77Rate a Thumb UpRate a Thumb Down19
    JustADude  •  9 hours ago Report Abuse
    Say what you want to about Ali, but one thing you can't take away from him is that he is a man of conviction who stayed true to himself. And regardless of what you think about him not wanting to go to fight in Vietnam he DID have some valid points as to why he refused to go.

    Like he... More
    8 Replies
  • Jim
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    Jim  •  2 minutes 34 seconds ago Report Abuse
    when the time comes and it is coming B.I.H.
    Reply
  • BaldHead
    85Rate a Thumb UpRate a Thumb Down20
    BaldHead  •  23 hours ago Report Abuse
    All you Haters of Ali, Look at YOUR today's sports figures. Most today will never have the "longevity" as Ali did. At least Ali did not have to take Drugs to keep fit for the sport of boxing. He made Boxing a true sport and a appreciated one compared to today. Can't see others doing that these days... More
    13 Replies
  • THE ANGEL OF DEATH
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    THE ANGEL OF DEATH  •  9 minutes ago Report Abuse
    old geezer says i'm the devil. stupid fool.
    hey ali, here comes the mothership. all aboard!
    Reply
  • DILLIGAF
    29Rate a Thumb UpRate a Thumb Down9
    DILLIGAF  •  4 hours ago Report Abuse
    Get well soon.
    4 Replies
  • Hardware
    13Rate a Thumb UpRate a Thumb Down2
    Hardware  •  1 hour 26 minutes ago Report Abuse
    That's what too many Frazier left hooks will do to ya.
    Reply

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