Having passed way on June 3rd 2016. Muhammad Ali, the American icon in boxing and civil rights champion in his own right, who famously declared himself as “The Greatest.”
NBC had reported that, “After a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening,” Bob Gunnell, a family spokesman. I remember when the reports broke of his passing.
The late Muhammad Ali was of course a great boxer. But, be may be also known as a runner, as running was a huge part of his training. Many boxers consider this “roadwork,” to be necessary to withstand the long gruling boxing matches.
This is why Ali is seen in a lot of photos running. There is a great quote that is often attributed to him online:
“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses-behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights”. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find the original source of this, but I really do hope it’s not another of those circulating internet myths. In the end of the day, it tells a truth about training for any sport.
He was also a big factor in indoor track and fields growth with the Muhammad Ali Invitational. The Muhammad Ali Invitational Track Meet started in 1979 in Long Beach, CA. The highlight was an 800-meter race that featured high-jumper Dwight Stones, former WBA heavyweight champ Jimmy Ellis, jockey Angel Cordero, and U.S. Senator Alan Cranston. Ali got involved in the event to help bring attention to track & field stars in the USA. The invitational was a staple of the indoor track circuit in the late ’70s and early ’80s and featured world class athletes and several indoor record breaking performances.
During the mid-1980s, Muhammad Ali was again sponsoring the Muhammad Ali Invitational USA Indoor Track and Field Meet. In the 1985 Ali Invitational Meet many USA competitors at the top of the food chain in their particular track and field discipline would compete in this indoor event as 1985 showcased Mike Tulley in the pole vault, Dwight Stones in the high jump, Harvey Glance in the 60m, and the event was brought to us by Muhammad Ali and Dick Enberg.
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