Brother Bravest battle
Muhammad Ali’s younger brother yesterday told of the torment of watching the boxer struggle with the Parkinson’s that finally claimed his life.
But Rahman Ali said his 74-year-old brother put up a brave battle.
He said: “Muhammad has fought the disease like he did his opponent – head on.
“He understood what people were saying to him and he tried to communicate, but it was very hard. He was trapped inside his head.”
Rahman, who may also have Parkinson’s, revealed his big brother’s incredible journey to becoming world champion began as a child in Louisville, Kentucky, when their bikes got stolen.
He said: “Growing up, we used to love riding our bikes.
“We started at the Colombia Gym not far from our home. I was 10 years old and Muhammad was 12.
“We had gone to see a talent show and just happened to stumble across the gym.
“All we heard was the ‘boomf, bang, oooos and ahhhhhs’ coming from it.
“There was a policeman training all these young lads and we popped our head round the door. It was Joe Martin. He invited us back.
“We left, but little did we know God was just about to take us back there.
“Our bicycles got stolen that night. Muhammad was furious. He went straight back to report it to Joe and was so angry he wanted to beat the thieves up. Joe was trying to calm him down and told him to go and punch a few bags. He started boxing there and then because he was so angry.
“He was a hell of a guy.”