IN REMEMBRANCE

Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee

Not many people in this world have succeeded in altering the course of history. Muhammad Ali, the most celebrated boxer of all time, believed that no matter how daunting a quest can be, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. His never-say-die attitude was an inspiration for the entire world.

Representing the American boxing at a time when the blacks were considered “outcasts” in a society deeply plagued by racial prejudice was never an easy journey for him. But he let his gloves do the talking, leaving everyone bedazzled with his vigour and indomitable spirit inside the ring. And when he took jabs at his opponents outside the ring, his brash and bellicose attitude generated headlines.

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can’t hit what the eyes can’t see.”

Every time I read this quote, it blows my mind. It has so much depth in it that it can help anyone in comprehending the meaning of life. Ali was a visionary and when he saw things in his surroundings that needed attention, he always played his part in making them better.

His decision against serving the United States in the Vietnam War cost him his heavyweight title and he couldn’t represent the country for more than three years. However, when the war was over, everyone who lambasted him for “dishonesty” towards his nation, hailed his doggedness and clairvoyance for envisaging the disastrous repercussions of the war.

He clinched the Olympic gold in 1960 and his first heavyweight title in 1984. His bout against Joe Frazier is still regarded as the “fight of the century”, which he lost. It was a toe-to-toe battle which lasted for 15 rounds in which a vicious jab from Frazier on Ali ruled the decision in his favour. It was Ali’s first defeat in 31 matches.

Another scintillating fight, famously known as “Rumble in the Jungle”, was staged between Ali and undefeated heavyweight champion George Foreman, before which Ali was dubbed an “underdog”. But he demonstrated resilience and silenced his critics by baiting Foreman into punches with his dope-a-rope technique. Ali knocked him out in the eighth round to reclaim the title.

In a grudge match, called “Thriller in Manila”, Ali and Frazier locked horns once again. The match went to extreme limits of pounding, but Ali clawed his way back to emerge victorious in the 14th round. He is still the only pro boxer to have won the heavyweight title three times, and boasts a staggering 56-5 pro boxing record.

His love for boxing started with an odd twist of fate. When he was 12 years old, his bike got stolen. Ali lodged a complaint with the police officer named Joe Martin and also told him that he wanted to beat up the thief. Martin, who also ran a gym and trained local amateur boxers, advised Ali he needed to learn how to fight before he could beat anyone.

His speed and footwork outsmarted the rivals and he could seal a humdinger with aplomb.

In 1964, at the peak of his career, he shocked the world when he announced he had embraced Islam.

Ali visited Pakistan during the 1989 South Asian Games and was touched by the love and affection he received here. He met the footballers in Liyari and was astonished to find the uncanny resemblance between him and them.

His longtime battle with Parkinson’s made him increasingly frail. Even in his palsied state, he called spade a spade.

Ali’s loss is irreparable and it takes centuries for the world to witness a larger-than-life character like him. People who saw him fight, listened to his witty jokes and swayed by his stirring words must have felt like the world came crashing down on hearing the news of Ali’s demise. Nothing lasts forever, but it is people like the great Ali who teach us a valuable lesson that it is better to live one day as a lion than 100 years as a sheep.