HALL OF FAME No 4... Muhammad Ali: The world's greatest in and out of the ring

By Jeff Powell Follow @@jeffpowell_Mail

Published: 03:16 EST, 5 December 2013 | Updated: 09:49 EST, 5 December 2013

Sportsmail's Hall of Fame - celebrating the greatest sporting champions in history - continues this week with a look at one of the most charismatic figures of the 20th century.

Each week, one of our team of writers will nominate their latest pick and write why they are being included.

In the fourth edition of our series, we feature heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali. Sportsmail's Boxing Correspondent Jeff Powell explains why the only three-time lineal world heavyweight champion and icon of the Civil Rights Movement deserves the accolade.

The Greatest had something profoundly moving to say last week about The Noblest.

Muhammad Ali had to put it in writing, since the most voluble voice in sport has been virtually silenced by Parkinson’s, but his tribute to Nelson Mandela comes as a poignant reminder that his kaleidoscopic mind is still in brilliant working order despite the shackles of his disease.

The Greatest: Ali (right) takes a playful left hook from Nelson Mandela in Dublin in 2003

Old friends: Sportsmail's Jeff Powell stands to the right of Ali at his 70th birthday celebration in Louisville

‘It amazes me to this day that a man could give up two-and-a-half decades of his life, emerge from prison and forgive his prisoners. I know something about protest. I know well the feelings and questions that run through the mind of those who stand against a system, braving everything for a cause. It is never easy. The personal price is high.’

Ali’s sacrifice, having been spared the threat of prison, was to forfeit almost four of his prime years in the prize ring.

His protest was two-fold:

One – in common with Mandela he was a crusader against racist bigotry and prejudice;

Two – as a conscientious objector he took his stand against the Vietnam War by refusing induction into the US Army. On that second count he was found guilty of draft evasion.

Conscientious objector: Ali points out that he is not the only one protesting the Vietnam war back in 1966

In his prime: Ali spars with local children outside his Miami home during his four-year exile from boxing

Thus he was stripped of his world heavyweight titles and ostracised by the majority of his fellow countrymen. He avoided jail only via an appeals process which ended with his conviction being overturned.

From that moment began his transition from villain in the eyes of the American people at large to iconic champion of the Civil Rights movement. The change in name followed his conversion to Islam and into a figurehead for Black Muslims.

Becoming the only three-time lineal world heavyweight champion was easy for Ali in comparison with his political struggles.

But when it comes to assessing whether he, Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard or Joe Louis is the greatest boxer ever, those four lost years have to be factored into the equation. Along with his ‘shaken up the world’ slaying of the Sonny Liston monster and the rest of his bedazzling, beguiling, be-dancing  56 victories against just five defeats.

Announcing himself: Ali - then fighting as Cassius Clay - reacts after beating Sonny Liston in 1964

Packing a punch: This iconic photograph was taken as Ali defeated Liston for a second time in 1965

Whatever the result of such a poll, there can be no denying that the man born Cassius Marcellus Clay on January 17, 1942 transcended sport more completely than any other athlete. Nor that he became the most recognisable human being on planet Earth. And, as he had no hesitation in putting it: ‘The Prettiest.’

It is nearly 41 years since I first met Ali. In January 1973 he came to London, to the Royal Albert Hall, to cast an eye over Joe Bugner, the British champion he was to defeat in Las Vegas a month later.

The moment Bugner was declared the victor over one Rudi Lubbers, Ali made for the exit. As the reporter assigned to glean his reaction, I followed. As he strode across the pavement he ordered me into his limousine. Upon arrival at his hotel, he allotted me ‘10 minutes to send your newspaper these quotes I’ve given you about how I’m gonna whup your man and get yourself up to my suite.’

Thereafter we talked boxing and the state of the world deep into the small hours. It was to be ever thus in his electrifying company.

Keeping his word: Joe Bugner (right) was no match for Ali in Las Vegas in 1973

The last time we had what might reasonably be described as a conversation was a few years ago. At a ringside in his home town of Louisville, in whispers, he assured me he was finding contentment in the philosophical reflection with which he is compensating for the encroaching loss of his once overwhelming powers of speech.

Between those two encounters, he Rumbled In The Jungle with George Foreman, Thrillered in Manila with Joe Frazier and mostly kept winning world title fights… until his own hugely under-rated sparring partner Larry Holmes had to beat his ageing friend to a pulp in order to become world champion in his own right.

This, the only occasion on which Ali was stopped in the ring, is widely held to have triggered the Parkinson’s, even though he denies that the brutal old game he graced so beautifully is the root cause of his affliction.

Showman: Ali gives a typically entertaining press conference in 1974 prior to the Rumble in the Jungle

Rumble in the Jungle: Ali famously beat George Foreman in Zaire using 'rope-a-dope' tactics

Knockout blow: Ali sends Foreman to the canvas in the eighth round

Thrilla in Manila: Ali famously saw off Joe Frazier in 1975 in the Philippines

That ghastly night in Las Vegas was described by Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone, at ringside, as ‘like watching an autopsy on a man who is still alive.’

But there was - still is even now - plenty of fight left in Ali. A last small one for a few dollars more against Trevor Berbick, shortly before his 40th birthday. Then the biggest one of all. The one against Parkinson’s which he has waged for almost 30 years and continues to do so against all medical expectations, while outliving his great rivals Frazier and Ken Norton.

In his appreciation of Mandela the other day, Ali added: ‘I was amazed to discover that Mr Mandela used to listen to my fights when he was imprisoned on Robben Island. Had I known he was listening to Ali-Frazier I, I probably would have beaten Joe that night. I was always The Greatest when I was fighting for something.’

The last time we broke bread, again in Louisville, was at his 70th birthday dinner where, as no mean conjuror himself, he lit up with delighted animation as he watched his favourite Las Vegas magician perform the tricks.

Painful viewing: Ali was not match for Larry Holmes in Las Vegas in 1980

Last fight: Ali looks dejected after being defeated by Trevor Berbick in 1981

That night the love for a man who was bigger than any sport filled that room, his city, the state of Kentucky, the United States of America – and the world.

Barack Obama is fortunate to have his unique place in history.

But for Parkinson’s, the most famous athlete of all time – a man more eloquent than he and a more passionate and inspiring crusader for the causes dearest to his people - might well have beaten him to the punch to become the first black president of the United States of America.

Icon: Ali - by now suffering badly from Parkinson's - visits the cell in which Mandela most of his 19 years in prison

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