The
Boxing Glove Book Review: Muhammad Ali: The Life Of A Legend.
Written
By Fiaz Rafiq
Review
by Peter Silkov
Writer for The Boxing Glove
The name of Muhammad Ali conjures up memories and emotions for so many people, perhaps even more so today, almost four years since his passing than in the later years of his life. It is not that Ali became forgotten in old age like so many stars of the past, far from it. Despite his well-publicized health problems, Ali was still very much an active public figure right up to the end of his life. Yet since his death, interest in Ali has overflowed, as if the world realized just what it had lost, and became conscious of the void that his departure has left.
Ali was a special athlete, not only the greatest world heavyweight champion the boxing world has ever seen but also the most visible and unique. Ali possessed a charisma and an ability to touch people on an emotional level way beyond the bounds of not just boxing, but sport in general. This was his greatest gift, greater and more profound even than his boxing skills.
Four years after his death, Muhammad Ali still holds a fascination for his fans and followers alike. His fame has long since passed from that of a simple sports star to the level of an icon. Almost 40 years since his final fight, Muhammad Ali is remembered and loved for his post-boxing role of a peace ambassador as much as he is remembered for his legendary exploits inside the ring. In an irony which sums up the complexity of this many-layered man, Muhammad Ali's life journey saw him go from being the heavyweight champion of the world, and an often divisive and controversial figure, to becoming a walking symbol of love and peace.
Writer for The Boxing Glove
The name of Muhammad Ali conjures up memories and emotions for so many people, perhaps even more so today, almost four years since his passing than in the later years of his life. It is not that Ali became forgotten in old age like so many stars of the past, far from it. Despite his well-publicized health problems, Ali was still very much an active public figure right up to the end of his life. Yet since his death, interest in Ali has overflowed, as if the world realized just what it had lost, and became conscious of the void that his departure has left.
Ali was a special athlete, not only the greatest world heavyweight champion the boxing world has ever seen but also the most visible and unique. Ali possessed a charisma and an ability to touch people on an emotional level way beyond the bounds of not just boxing, but sport in general. This was his greatest gift, greater and more profound even than his boxing skills.
Four years after his death, Muhammad Ali still holds a fascination for his fans and followers alike. His fame has long since passed from that of a simple sports star to the level of an icon. Almost 40 years since his final fight, Muhammad Ali is remembered and loved for his post-boxing role of a peace ambassador as much as he is remembered for his legendary exploits inside the ring. In an irony which sums up the complexity of this many-layered man, Muhammad Ali's life journey saw him go from being the heavyweight champion of the world, and an often divisive and controversial figure, to becoming a walking symbol of love and peace.
In
his final years, when Parkinson's disease had robbed him of his
marvelous ability to verbally communicate, Ali could still move
people as deeply as when he was the greatest orator and showman that
the sports world had seen in the 20th century, with just his physical
presence and his almost beatific silence. It is a transformation
unmatched within the sporting world.
Today Muhammad Ali is loved and cherished by people who were not even born until he had long since left the fighting arena. Even those who otherwise hold no fondness for boxing love Muhammad Ali.
In the midst of this enduring appeal, there has been an increased appearance of books dedicated to the man and his life. Boxing and boxers have always been a favorite subject for writers, and in Ali, they have their greatest subject. No sportsman has ever been written about as often as Muhammad Ali, and you may wonder when is the well of stories going to run dry. How many times do we want to read about Ali's conquering of 'the ugly bear' Sonny Liston, or his dismantling of the seemingly invincible monster George Foreman, or those ferocious fights with his most bitter rival Joe Frazier? The answer lays in the quality of the literature being written about 'The Greatest.'
The vast majority of books written about 'The Greatest' are excellent reads. Then again, it should be no surprise that such an outstanding career, filled with so many accomplishments and controversies should result in the formation of such a great subject matter.
Another gift Ali has bestowed upon his followers and all of his would-be biographers are the many layers of his life outside of the ring, as well as within it. Ali was a people person, who loved social interaction, and due to his great fame and social charisma became a magnet for people throughout his life, from celebrities, artists, actors, musicians, and fellow sportsmen to the ordinary person on the street. In an era long before Facebook or Instagram, Muhammad Ali was the most recognized face and well-known voice in the world.
In “Muhammad Ali: The Life Of A Legend”, Fiaz Rafiq looks at his subject from the point of view of his social interaction with the people around him. “The Life Of A Legend” is a series of intimate profiles of 'The Greatest' by some of those who knew him best. From the earliest days of his boxing career, right up until the final years of his life. Conducted in the manner of a series of question and answer interviews, the interviews are contained in four distinct sections: 'Family', 'The Journalists', 'The Opponents', and 'Friends and Associates'. Rafiq has gained access to an impressive array of Ali's confidants, friends, family, boxing associates, and former opponents. Among those interviewed are four of Ali's children, his only son, Muhammad Ali Jr., and daughters Rasheda, Hana, and Maryum. Also included are interviews from former opponents, such as George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Joe Bugner, Ron Lyle, Chuck Wepner, and Richard Dunn plus journalists Bert Sugar, Robert Lipsyte, and Jerry Izenberg, amongst others. There is also a collection of eclectic characters in the 'friends and associates' section of the book, including Ali's old trainer Angelo Dundee, and the man he helped become boxing's most powerful promoter, Don King, promoter Butch Lewis, plus fellow boxers Sugar Ray Leonard and Evander Holyfield who both cite Ali as being their inspiration.
Originally released in 2010, under the title “Muhammad Ali: Conversations” the reissuing of this book is an entertaining and at times, moving addition to the many books about Ali. Even the Ali expert will find stories and insights into 'The Greatest' which he didn't know of previously.
One of the poignant aspects of this book is that a number of those interviewed, like Ali himself, are no longer with us.
The stories and anecdotes, which they share about Ali, are varied and enlightening, showing us different sides of the man whom many of us feel that we know so much already, yet still want to learn more about. A common thread that comes through in all these accounts is Ali's fondness for human company and his warmth and sense of humor, and then perhaps most tellingly, his innate humbleness. For all of his braggadocio in front of the camera and inside the ring, Muhammad Ali the man was modest and down to earth. These traits increased as he grew older and ever more spiritual. This was a man who truly loved people, and always strived to give something positive to all those that he came into contact with. For all his fame and material riches, outside of the boxing ring, Ali saw himself as just another man, a normal person, but one who had been given the ability to reach so many others in a positive way.
As former 'Time' and 'Sports Illustrated' Photographer Neil Leifer tells Fiaz, when asked about how Ali treated everybody the same:
'I was working for the most important sports magazine in America, and he treated me wonderfully. I watched a kid from a high school newspaper come up to him and photograph him, and he treated him the same way! He treated everyone the same way. He just liked people!'.
The book also gives some interesting insights into Ali's own view of himself in his later years as he increasingly struggled with Parkinson's syndrome, such as in this conversation which he had with former opponent Joe Bugner when they met at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. As Bugner recalled to Fiaz:
'You know what was incredible? He looked me in my eye, there were no tears or anything, he says to me, "Joe Bugner if you ever utter the words 'I feel sorry for Ali' or you tell me 'I feel sorry how you turned out', I will never be your friend again" I looked up to him and said, "Muhammad how can I feel sorry for you, you beat me twice!" He pulled on a beautiful smile on his face, and said, "Look, Ok. We'll leave it at that".
Ali was such an idol of the sport during his boxing career, he was the best thing that ever happened to the heavyweight division, bringing life and interest to both the heavyweights and boxing in general, which has seldom been matched in other era's. Ali's opponents also gained a level of attention and the kind of paydays that they would never have achieved against anyone else.
In his interview with Fiaz, former heavyweight contender Chuck Wepner talks about his 1975 world title fight with 'The Greatest' (when Ali made the first defense of his second title reign after his defeat of George Foreman) and the impact that his fight against Ali for the title had upon his life:
'The most amazing experience in my life was fighting Muhammad Ali. All these years later, like I said, I'm still here. I'm still Chuck Wepner. Everybody calls me 'champ' because I held a few different championships. I owe all this to Muhammad Ali because if I had fought anybody else except Muhammad Ali, I would never ever have got any exposure and the adulation that I get right now. I can thank Ali for this. I love the guy. I think he was one of the greatest human beings that was ever born.'
Another part of Ali which comes through very strongly in “Muhammad Ali: The Life Of A Legend” is Ali the family man. Despite his worldwide fame, away from the crowds and the bright lights, Ali was devoted to his children. This sentiment comes through very strongly in Fiaz's interviews with Ali's children. Daughter Maryum remembers her father's playful side:
'My father was a practical joker. He lived in a big house so it had long dark hallways. He loved scaring us. He got a kick out of that. He would wait in the dark hallways and we would walk down and he'd scare us. He'd just laugh. He loved playing practical jokes and he was a very fun-loving person. He liked to play with his kids a lot. A lot of parents don't do that.'
Most recently Fiaz collaborated with Muhammad Ali's brother Rahaman Ali, On the book “My Brother, Muhammad Ali”, Fiaz's admiration for Ali is strong, yet he allows his interviewees' full freedom in their recollections of 'The Greatest'.
'It was imperative to talk to those who were very close who had first-hand stories. Family, close friends, and well-known opponents. Also some of the best sports journalists who covered Ali and his career in his peak were interviewed to create a balanced portrait of The Greatest. As a biographer, the first-hand source material is vital, I believe. And I can say with great conviction that I have been very fortunate to talk to so many close people to the iconic figures I've churned out biographies on. This, I think, is the framework for any writer who's quest is to write a biography on a global figure of the magnitude of Ali.'
In this book, we are treated to intimate anecdotes about what it was like to share life with 'The Greatest'. The main thread that emerges overall is just how deeply and profoundly Ali was loved, not just by his family, but by all of those that were acquainted with him.
“Muhammad Ali: The Life Of A Legend” is a colorful tapestry of interviews from people who have often shared some of Muhammad Ali's most important and profound life experiences. It also manages to cover every aspect of Ali's life and boxing career, from his earliest days boxing to his 'exile' from the sport and battle with the government in the late 60s, to his later boxing career, and post-retirement life. Some of the interviewees are well known in their own right, while others are more eclectic.
There are moving tales of Ali's generosity to his friends, such as when sportswriter Jerry Izenberg recalls how Ali handed him the torch that he lit the Olympic flame at the Atlanta Olympics:
'He opened his closet, and there it was his Olympic torch. Now he takes the torch and puts it in my hands. That torch meant a lot to him but he gave it to me. And I was very very moved.'
Fiaz has pulled together a varied line up of personalities to talk about Ali, but while they might vary in their backgrounds and the place in which they occupied in Ali's life, together they all contribute to a sympathetic and balanced portrayal of a man who will be remembered as the most loved person and admired person of the 20th century.
Fiaz himself is acutely aware of Ali's importance, which goes far beyond the realms of just boxing or even sport itself. 'Of course, Muhammad Ali is more than a sportsman. He has had an indelible impact on pop culture. His association with The Nation of Islam, refusing to go to Vietnam and for what he stood for as far as racial equality goes, all part of 20th-century history. So all these elements are part of who Ali was, and it was these non-sporting areas that really allowed me to appreciate this great iconic figure and something I felt equally if not more important to explore when putting together his life story in an oral biography form.'
Today Muhammad Ali is loved and cherished by people who were not even born until he had long since left the fighting arena. Even those who otherwise hold no fondness for boxing love Muhammad Ali.
In the midst of this enduring appeal, there has been an increased appearance of books dedicated to the man and his life. Boxing and boxers have always been a favorite subject for writers, and in Ali, they have their greatest subject. No sportsman has ever been written about as often as Muhammad Ali, and you may wonder when is the well of stories going to run dry. How many times do we want to read about Ali's conquering of 'the ugly bear' Sonny Liston, or his dismantling of the seemingly invincible monster George Foreman, or those ferocious fights with his most bitter rival Joe Frazier? The answer lays in the quality of the literature being written about 'The Greatest.'
The vast majority of books written about 'The Greatest' are excellent reads. Then again, it should be no surprise that such an outstanding career, filled with so many accomplishments and controversies should result in the formation of such a great subject matter.
Another gift Ali has bestowed upon his followers and all of his would-be biographers are the many layers of his life outside of the ring, as well as within it. Ali was a people person, who loved social interaction, and due to his great fame and social charisma became a magnet for people throughout his life, from celebrities, artists, actors, musicians, and fellow sportsmen to the ordinary person on the street. In an era long before Facebook or Instagram, Muhammad Ali was the most recognized face and well-known voice in the world.
In “Muhammad Ali: The Life Of A Legend”, Fiaz Rafiq looks at his subject from the point of view of his social interaction with the people around him. “The Life Of A Legend” is a series of intimate profiles of 'The Greatest' by some of those who knew him best. From the earliest days of his boxing career, right up until the final years of his life. Conducted in the manner of a series of question and answer interviews, the interviews are contained in four distinct sections: 'Family', 'The Journalists', 'The Opponents', and 'Friends and Associates'. Rafiq has gained access to an impressive array of Ali's confidants, friends, family, boxing associates, and former opponents. Among those interviewed are four of Ali's children, his only son, Muhammad Ali Jr., and daughters Rasheda, Hana, and Maryum. Also included are interviews from former opponents, such as George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Joe Bugner, Ron Lyle, Chuck Wepner, and Richard Dunn plus journalists Bert Sugar, Robert Lipsyte, and Jerry Izenberg, amongst others. There is also a collection of eclectic characters in the 'friends and associates' section of the book, including Ali's old trainer Angelo Dundee, and the man he helped become boxing's most powerful promoter, Don King, promoter Butch Lewis, plus fellow boxers Sugar Ray Leonard and Evander Holyfield who both cite Ali as being their inspiration.
Originally released in 2010, under the title “Muhammad Ali: Conversations” the reissuing of this book is an entertaining and at times, moving addition to the many books about Ali. Even the Ali expert will find stories and insights into 'The Greatest' which he didn't know of previously.
One of the poignant aspects of this book is that a number of those interviewed, like Ali himself, are no longer with us.
The stories and anecdotes, which they share about Ali, are varied and enlightening, showing us different sides of the man whom many of us feel that we know so much already, yet still want to learn more about. A common thread that comes through in all these accounts is Ali's fondness for human company and his warmth and sense of humor, and then perhaps most tellingly, his innate humbleness. For all of his braggadocio in front of the camera and inside the ring, Muhammad Ali the man was modest and down to earth. These traits increased as he grew older and ever more spiritual. This was a man who truly loved people, and always strived to give something positive to all those that he came into contact with. For all his fame and material riches, outside of the boxing ring, Ali saw himself as just another man, a normal person, but one who had been given the ability to reach so many others in a positive way.
As former 'Time' and 'Sports Illustrated' Photographer Neil Leifer tells Fiaz, when asked about how Ali treated everybody the same:
'I was working for the most important sports magazine in America, and he treated me wonderfully. I watched a kid from a high school newspaper come up to him and photograph him, and he treated him the same way! He treated everyone the same way. He just liked people!'.
The book also gives some interesting insights into Ali's own view of himself in his later years as he increasingly struggled with Parkinson's syndrome, such as in this conversation which he had with former opponent Joe Bugner when they met at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. As Bugner recalled to Fiaz:
'You know what was incredible? He looked me in my eye, there were no tears or anything, he says to me, "Joe Bugner if you ever utter the words 'I feel sorry for Ali' or you tell me 'I feel sorry how you turned out', I will never be your friend again" I looked up to him and said, "Muhammad how can I feel sorry for you, you beat me twice!" He pulled on a beautiful smile on his face, and said, "Look, Ok. We'll leave it at that".
Ali was such an idol of the sport during his boxing career, he was the best thing that ever happened to the heavyweight division, bringing life and interest to both the heavyweights and boxing in general, which has seldom been matched in other era's. Ali's opponents also gained a level of attention and the kind of paydays that they would never have achieved against anyone else.
In his interview with Fiaz, former heavyweight contender Chuck Wepner talks about his 1975 world title fight with 'The Greatest' (when Ali made the first defense of his second title reign after his defeat of George Foreman) and the impact that his fight against Ali for the title had upon his life:
'The most amazing experience in my life was fighting Muhammad Ali. All these years later, like I said, I'm still here. I'm still Chuck Wepner. Everybody calls me 'champ' because I held a few different championships. I owe all this to Muhammad Ali because if I had fought anybody else except Muhammad Ali, I would never ever have got any exposure and the adulation that I get right now. I can thank Ali for this. I love the guy. I think he was one of the greatest human beings that was ever born.'
Another part of Ali which comes through very strongly in “Muhammad Ali: The Life Of A Legend” is Ali the family man. Despite his worldwide fame, away from the crowds and the bright lights, Ali was devoted to his children. This sentiment comes through very strongly in Fiaz's interviews with Ali's children. Daughter Maryum remembers her father's playful side:
'My father was a practical joker. He lived in a big house so it had long dark hallways. He loved scaring us. He got a kick out of that. He would wait in the dark hallways and we would walk down and he'd scare us. He'd just laugh. He loved playing practical jokes and he was a very fun-loving person. He liked to play with his kids a lot. A lot of parents don't do that.'
Most recently Fiaz collaborated with Muhammad Ali's brother Rahaman Ali, On the book “My Brother, Muhammad Ali”, Fiaz's admiration for Ali is strong, yet he allows his interviewees' full freedom in their recollections of 'The Greatest'.
'It was imperative to talk to those who were very close who had first-hand stories. Family, close friends, and well-known opponents. Also some of the best sports journalists who covered Ali and his career in his peak were interviewed to create a balanced portrait of The Greatest. As a biographer, the first-hand source material is vital, I believe. And I can say with great conviction that I have been very fortunate to talk to so many close people to the iconic figures I've churned out biographies on. This, I think, is the framework for any writer who's quest is to write a biography on a global figure of the magnitude of Ali.'
In this book, we are treated to intimate anecdotes about what it was like to share life with 'The Greatest'. The main thread that emerges overall is just how deeply and profoundly Ali was loved, not just by his family, but by all of those that were acquainted with him.
“Muhammad Ali: The Life Of A Legend” is a colorful tapestry of interviews from people who have often shared some of Muhammad Ali's most important and profound life experiences. It also manages to cover every aspect of Ali's life and boxing career, from his earliest days boxing to his 'exile' from the sport and battle with the government in the late 60s, to his later boxing career, and post-retirement life. Some of the interviewees are well known in their own right, while others are more eclectic.
There are moving tales of Ali's generosity to his friends, such as when sportswriter Jerry Izenberg recalls how Ali handed him the torch that he lit the Olympic flame at the Atlanta Olympics:
'He opened his closet, and there it was his Olympic torch. Now he takes the torch and puts it in my hands. That torch meant a lot to him but he gave it to me. And I was very very moved.'
Fiaz has pulled together a varied line up of personalities to talk about Ali, but while they might vary in their backgrounds and the place in which they occupied in Ali's life, together they all contribute to a sympathetic and balanced portrayal of a man who will be remembered as the most loved person and admired person of the 20th century.
Fiaz himself is acutely aware of Ali's importance, which goes far beyond the realms of just boxing or even sport itself. 'Of course, Muhammad Ali is more than a sportsman. He has had an indelible impact on pop culture. His association with The Nation of Islam, refusing to go to Vietnam and for what he stood for as far as racial equality goes, all part of 20th-century history. So all these elements are part of who Ali was, and it was these non-sporting areas that really allowed me to appreciate this great iconic figure and something I felt equally if not more important to explore when putting together his life story in an oral biography form.'
In
her foreword to this biography Ali's daughter Rasheda outlines her
hopes for both this book and the enduring legacy of her father:
'What
made my dad the greatest was his inexplicable talents in the ring,
but most of all the love he had for his people. It was incredibly
spiritual how he made others, especially minorities and
African-Americans, feel about themselves. What he stood for and how
he inspired the world to be great and do great things will continue
to impact the very foundation of our hearts. I hope this oral
biography helps to inspire others to not only love themselves, but
make a difference in others' lives, and encourage us to be the best
version of ourselves'.
Altogether “Muhammad Ali: The Life Of A Legend” is yet another welcome addition to the many works written about 'The Greatest.' Sometimes you can't have too much of a good or rather a great thing.
"Muhammad Ali: The Life of a Legend by Fiaz Rafiq, Foreword by Rasheda Ali is available in paperback and e-book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Waterstones, and WHS, and all other general bookstores. Here is the link if you wish to purchase from Amazon.
Amazon USA:
https://www.amazon.com/Muhammad-Ali-Legend-Fiaz-Rafiq/dp/190971593X
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Muhammad-Ali-Legend-Fiaz-Rafiq/dp/190971593X
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If you are a boxer, amateur or professional, and want us to follow you or tell your story, contact petersilkov@yahoo.com or theboxingglove@yahoo.com
Altogether “Muhammad Ali: The Life Of A Legend” is yet another welcome addition to the many works written about 'The Greatest.' Sometimes you can't have too much of a good or rather a great thing.
"Muhammad Ali: The Life of a Legend by Fiaz Rafiq, Foreword by Rasheda Ali is available in paperback and e-book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Waterstones, and WHS, and all other general bookstores. Here is the link if you wish to purchase from Amazon.
Amazon USA:
https://www.amazon.com/Muhammad-Ali-Legend-Fiaz-Rafiq/dp/190971593X
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Muhammad-Ali-Legend-Fiaz-Rafiq/dp/190971593X
If you are a boxer, amateur or professional, and want us to follow you or tell your story, contact petersilkov@yahoo.com or theboxingglove@yahoo.com
If you are an author and you would like your book reviewed, contact Peter Silkov at petersilkov@yahoo.com or theboxingglove@yahoo.com
