January 17 marks the 83rd anniversary of the birth of the man often called “the greatest of all time.”
Muhammad Ali was not only a once-in-a-lifetime fighter, but a man who did more for the world and its people than anyone could ever thank him for. From “Manila” starring Joe Frasier to “Jungle” starring George Foreman, people follow the great man wherever he goes. It wasn’t just because of his dazzling speed and flashy style, Ali was a voice for those who couldn’t hear.
While fighting for human rights and racial equality, Ali also had his own struggles. The three-time heavyweight boxing champion was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 42, a disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain, causing slurred speech and limited movement. The symptoms worsened as Ali grew older. It’s becoming more and more obvious. Ali’s daughter Laila spoke to Andre Ward about her father’s battle with Parkinson’s disease. All smoke battles.
“For as long as I can remember, I remember my dad speaking kind of slurred,” Ali told Ward. “That’s how I met him, and I think it got worse as time went on. Maybe when I was 11 or 12, I started noticing his hands were shaking. And then they would say, ‘ Oh, he had Parkinson’s disease. We didn’t really know it at the time, but then it started getting worse.”
Muhammad Ali retired from the sport at the age of 39 after losing to Trevor Berbick.
“My dad always jokes about coming back,” she said. “I won’t get into serious conversations because I’m too young. But I never thought he would come back seriously after he retired. Even though he fought Larry Holmes and went through it all and was in the ring Stayed longer than he should have, and I was too young. He always used to say, “I’m going to make a comeback. “He said that when he was in his 60s.”
Muhammad Ali would often fight boxers for 15 rounds in the gym to demonstrate his skill and toughness. He would laugh and taunt his opponents as punches bounced off his head, but his daughter believes this may have played a role in Ali’s Parkinson’s disease later in life.
“Absolutely [it had an effect],” she said. “And he’s a heavyweight; you get hit harder, more beaten. It’s all relative, we all get hit in the head and you’re going to be hurt whether you’re wearing a helmet or not. Do you not know if you have a concussion? It’s happening. This is the sport we play. This is the sport we choose.
“There are definitely safer ways to train. When I was training with Roger Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather Sr., Buddy Meagher, they were all more old-school. I remember coming to the gym When he said, ‘No, you can’t drink water. ‘ Why? I’m a woman, women are different, I’m really different, I’m going to drink some water. Why not stay hydrated?
“There are a lot of things that people think of as old-school and tough, but they can be harmful,” she continued. “Like boxing without helmets, sometimes I see these girls in the ring [standing] Take body photos [freely]. I saw one and I messaged her and said, ‘You shouldn’t do this. Do you want children? You should not let your male trainer hit you directly on the body. “She said she never thought about it. She didn’t wear a cup. There are just some things people don’t think about. You need to protect yourself. You’re not going to be young forever and stay young forever. You need to take as few hits as possible.”
Muhammad Ali passed away on June 3, 2016 at the age of 74 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. The world is mourning the death of the icon, not just inside the ring but outside it as well. While Leila also mourned her father’s death, she was ready to deal with his passing emotionally.
“I was prepared because I watched my dad struggle for so many years,” Ali said. “Parkinson’s disease robs you of your motor skills. You can’t talk, you can’t feed yourself, you can’t go to the bathroom on your own. So, I feel more like he was free. When he died, he was free to be himself again in heaven. ——Wherever heaven is. Of course, we will miss him and we will all be sad, but I think he will go to a happier place.”
Ali’s funeral was held in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The ceremony is a celebration of life that brings together dignitaries, celebrities and journalists from around the world. Over 14,000 people attended and Laila revealed that Ali planned it all.
“I expected that love from my dad and he expected that love,” she said. “Before he died, he said, ‘Listen, we have to have a funeral in a place big enough for everyone who wants to come.'” He wanted to make sure. I plan to write such a thick book. It needs to be like an arena. He said, “Everyone wants to come, so we need space.” They still couldn’t get along. Oh, he’s a funny guy. “
