Take a look at what I discovered on Google Photos. This is a rare photograph of Muhammad Ali sparring with Mohammed Rafi. It was photographed in January 1980. When Ali went to Bombay.
It was customary to present all visiting celebrities to the press at the Taj Ballroom before taking them to meet Bollywood stars at the Sun-n-Sand. Ali was no different. He was 38. He had resigned from boxing the previous year after beating Leon Spinks in September 1978. He wasn’t at the peak of his life.
Bombay received an overweight and exhausted Ali. He was still clever, humorous, and quick. Parkinson’s disease has not yet manifested itself. The voice did not stutter. The hands did not tremble. He contested an exhibition match for Indian fans at the Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium against his old sparring partner and World Heavyweight Boxing champion Jimmy Ellis. It was a swindle. For Bombay, Ali was paisa vasool.
Ali was a good sport, who invited everyone he met to raise their fists and fight him. One of them was Mohammed Rafi, whose singing had a strong punch. This picture was taken at a Bollywood party when the two were acquainted.
Ali will also be remembered in Bombay for one humorous comment.
“You have already named a road after me!” he had told reporters.
That was after Ali was transported to the Taj from the airport along the busy ‘Mohammed Ali Road between J. J. Hospital and Crawford Market.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have been featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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