Ali was no longer Ali. It was 1980 and "The Greatest," now 38, was about to challenge his friend, one-time sparring partner and World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion, Larry Holmes. To anyone paying close attention, and even to those who were just casual onlookers, this was not the Muhammad Ali of years past. This was not the "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" Ali. The fast-dancing, fast-talking, supple, athlete was replaced by one who slurred his words, was slightly labouring in his movements, and was not the physical specimen he had previously been.
Whether they were admitting it or not, those around him noticed the changes. They saw the transformation, saw Ali was slowing, but felt some compulsion to indulge the great boxer. It wasn't like many hadn't doubted him before - few thought he could've beaten Sonny Liston, and later, George Foreman - but even against the most foreboding odds he somehow found a way to be triumphant. They were sure he'd find a way again.
Ali himself had no doubt. He still felt he could dance and will himself to victory; that he could outsmart and outmanoeuvre anybody. His mind still told him he was the same Ali who trapped Foreman with the "rope-a-dope"; the same Ali who endured those punishing battles with Joe Frazier; the Ali who was one of the best boxers of all time.
Whether they were admitting it or not, those around him noticed the changes. They saw the transformation, saw Ali was slowing, but felt some compulsion to indulge the great boxer. It wasn't like many hadn't doubted him before - few thought he could've beaten Sonny Liston, and later, George Foreman - but even against the most foreboding odds he somehow found a way to be triumphant. They were sure he'd find a way again.
Ali himself had no doubt. He still felt he could dance and will himself to victory; that he could outsmart and outmanoeuvre anybody. His mind still told him he was the same Ali who trapped Foreman with the "rope-a-dope"; the same Ali who endured those punishing battles with Joe Frazier; the Ali who was one of the best boxers of all time.
Cricbuzz
