Only Bert Sugar can say it without getting himself into trouble. He is one of the most recognized boxing analyst and historian aside from owning and editing Boxing Illustrated Magazine and The Ring Magazine. He recognized Ali as one of the greatest fighter of all time but advised upcoming boxers never to do an Ali.
He said Ali is no boxer defying everything a boxing trainer teaches his boxers. He seldom follow the advice of his corner during fights and do things a boxer should not do inside the ring. He leans back too far, never punches in the body, keep his hands low, and talks a lot when he's fighting. But truly gifted as he was, he was able to get away with his antics because of his amazing speed. A lot of fighters tried to imitate the man but only a handful was able to mimic his style successfully. Indeed, Muhammad Ali is one phenomenon in the world of boxing.
He was so good during his prime that he can take full control of every fight he was in predicting the round when his opponent will fall. His career was interrupted by almost 4 years as he dodged the draft and fought for his right up to the Supreme Court. It may have dented his boxing career but it paved way for him to be recognized as a champion of Black people's right to be treated as equals. He became a world symbol against racism and the only universal champion taking on challengers in different parts of the world.
Years after his retirement, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Among the first to know was his good friend, world famous TV announcer and commentator Howard Cossel but the latter refused to interview Ali on TV 'cause he believe he should not exploit the situation. Ali was still in the state of self-denial but months later he said on an interview that people should not pity him for he's had a life other people just dream of. Of all the millions of fighters fighting for recognition he managed to be dubbed as the greatest, and he never asked God why him. Now that he's down, he would never ask God why for he knew that God has other plans for him. From his own words - " I am not the greatest, God is the greatest.
Muhammad Ali's boxing career was indeed only a vehicle for his spiritual development. After his retirement he went around the world wherever he was invited to talk not about his glorious boxing reign but about how great God was and how we hould submit to His will. God gave him a great gift to shock the world, and He took it away but left him with an enlightened soul.
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