INDEED no one will question that the late three-time heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.) – with 56 wins and five loses (37 KOs) – was “the greatest boxer” of all time.
Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation president and World Boxing Council governor Juan Ramon Guanzon said that Ali’s contribution went beyond sports.
“He was the guy who made lots of revolutionary changes not only in boxing, but also in politics,” he said.
Guanzon described Ali as one fighter who changed several views in boxing.
“Boxing is a sport that use to be conservative until he came into the picture. He introduced himself as ‘the greatest’ fighter even if he wasn’t yet a champion at that time,” he added.
“Moreover, he also brought a different approach in boxing. While everyone seemed comfortable fighting with their gloves up, Ali fought with awkward style – having his gloves down, moving around the canvas with great footwork, and did things which supposedly not to be done by fighters. He allowed himself to be caught in the corner, fight on the rope and to be boxed by his opponent,” Guanzon added.
“As far as WBC is concerned, we have already given Ali the recognition,” he said.
Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella said that while senator-elect Manny Pacquiao will be the Philippines’ best boxer of all time, Ali is the “greatest” of all time.
“Ali is the best of the best. Well done champ,” he said.
Ali, who made popular the “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” style in boxing, passed away over the weekend at the age of 74 after battling Parkinson's disease for 32 years. (HGD)