Ali WAS the greatest as a boxer and a man
Many years ago I suffered a severe illness, and as I struggled with my slow recovery I was inspired by Ali’s refusal to give in to his own illness. I wrote to him to express my admiration and received a signed card, with his favourite motto on the reverse: “Where is a man’s wealth? His wealth is in his knowledge. If his wealth was in the bank and not in his knowledge then he doesn’t possess it, because it’s in the bank!” I received other mail from Ali, and was touched he took the time to correspond with an ordinary chap like me. He really was the greatest! D A Shaw, Tamworth, Staffs I am glad that lifelong Ali fan Brian Reade explained in the Sunday Mirror what made Ali the greatest. Even his heart kept beating for 30 minutes after his other organs failed to operate. He genuinely was the greatest boxer ever. Rest in peace. Paul J Brooks, Poynton, Cheshire Muhammad Ali was a civil rights activist following in the wake of Malcolm X. Outside the ring he was a gentle giant, but inside the ring he demolished his opponents. He’ll always be remembered for the Rumble in the Jungle fight, but Ali changed the world through boxing and his fight against racism, while a part of the civil rights movement. Allan Damien Goodwin, Inverness World champion Manny Pacquaio nailed it when he said “boxing certainly benefited from Muhammad Ali’s talents, but not nearly as much as mankind benefited from his humanity”. Witty, poetic, principled, intelligent, articulate, entertaining, talented, were the traits that made you what you are: “The greatest of them all”. RIP champ. Eric Thorpe, Salford, Gtr Manchester It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of Muhammad Ali. He was the greatest sportsman I have ever seen – strong, fast, brave and dedicated. He was also a true showman with a wit I am pleased that Susan Boyle has ended the two-year rift with her brother. I watched a TV documentary about her and sadly she’s misunderstood and has had to overcome many problems in her life and hasn’t had it easy at all. She’s such a lovely kind person who has done good and does so much for charity. Good luck with the family reunion, Susan, you deserve to be happy.
as lightninglightnin quick as his reflexes. He brought boxing in to the world’s spotlight and did the same for black civil rights. Ali was a true warrior who never ducked a fight, in or out of the ring, no matter the danger. Sadly he has lost his last fight, but for me and countless others he will always be the greatest. M Dunlop, Wallsend, Tyne & Wear Ali was a true warrior and legend – at 74 and on his deathbed he was still fighting until his very last breath. Muhammad Ali, you were an inspiration to millions around the world and you will be sadly missed. RIP and may god bless your soul. Michael Joynson, Stoke on Trent Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was an icon, an example, a leader. Look at so-called sports heroes today, what kind of example are they to our young people? This man showed how to stand up for your beliefs, how to face the trials and injustices in life, and he succeeded. RIP to the legend that is Muhammad Ali! Bill Anders via email I was so saddened to learn of the demise of Muhammad Ali – the one time great boxer. I must say though he was a very tough guy to keep his heart still pumping half-anhour after he died. Barry Thomas, Redruth, Cornwall How can those losers, Blair, Miliband, Brown and Kinnock say workers will not be protected if we come out of the EU? People have been paying money to the unions all their lives to be protected at work – what are they doing to earn their money? As for the four stooges: Brown was never voted in, Blair made mil lions after our soldiers were killed, Ed Miliband’s the never man and, last but not least, Kinnock lost two elections and ended up with bigger wages than he would ever have got in Britain and is now frightened of losing his well paid job. Bob Boardman, Swinton, Manchester