MUHAMMAD ALI
World Heavyweight Boxing Champion
Born: January 17, 1942 - Louisville, Kentucky
Crowned "Sportsman of the Century" by Sports Illustrated
"Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like A Bee, Prettiest Man You Ever Did See"
At least that's how Muhammad Ali projected himself each time he climbed through the ropes to enter the ring to face his boxing opponents between 1960-1980. Most of Ali's challengers weren't in that ring long enough to see and enjoy the true prettiness of Ali's face. 36 of the 56 boxers he fought did indeed feel the "Stings of the Bee" a few times, mostly from the neck up, but suddenly the stings would mysteriously go away as the challenger himself began "Floating Like a Butterfly" momentarily before crashing to the canvas, having just been knocked out by "THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME."
Who can forget that highly dramatic moment of the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Olympics, 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, when Muhammad Ali carried the torch and lit the cauldron that marked the start of the Olympics. Dressed all in white and holding the torch with both hands as Ali's hands shook very noticeably from Parkinson's Disease as more than three billion people around the globe watched this historic and most memorable highlight in Mohammad Ali's life.
Yes, I've written a short story about the day I met with Ali to sign The Tablecloth. I remember it quite well in fact. That was an historic day for me as well as for The Tablecloth collection. I'm sure you will enjoy reading it.
Should we simply call him Mr. Legend?