BY JOE APU
The executives of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, NBB of C have joined the world in mourning the late boxing legend, Muhammed Ali who passed on last Friday.
Speaking with Daily Sunsports on Tuesday on behalf of the body, executive member of the board and commissioner of the World Boxing Council, WBC, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo noted that the demise of the boxer is one the world will find difficult to replace.
“The great boxing legend Muhammed Ali brought glamour and respect to the art of boxing. After winning the gold medal in the Rome 1960 Olympic Games, it was clear that when he joined the professional ranks, he came with class and finesse leaving impressive records. That he predicted the rounds in which he won his fights remains something of great interest.
“One cannot forget in a hurry many of his great fights especially how he stunned the then undefeated world heavyweight boxing champion, Sunny Liston to dethrone him. The fights Thriller in Manilla, Rumble in the Jungle and demystifying George Forman left many respecting him the more in the boxing world.”
He had a way with words that he used in cowing his opponents even the fight. As a boxer, he was instrumental to encouraging boxers all over the world,” Ladipo observed.
Adding voice to Ladipo’s voice, Effiong Nyong said that the fact that Ali chose to remain with the sport despite being stripped of his title for refusing draft to fight in Viatnam is a great sacrifice. “Other athletes would have preferred to hold on to their title but instead, Ali chose to be stripped and go to jail. That’s the mark of a great man.”
Ladipo also recalled at the suggestion that boxing be banned because of the Parkinson disease he was suffering, Ali stood for the game insisting that boxing is a noble sport that had provided a chance for others to excel.
… As MultiChoice honours him with special channel on DStv, GOtv
MultiChoice Africa is paying tribute to the great sporting legend Muhammad Ali with a special pop-up channel on DStv channel 199 and GOtv channel 29. The channels opened up on Saturday, 4 June and will run until next week Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 10:30am.
The tribute channel will broadcast the legend’s greatest fights, interviews and documentaries about his life.
DStv subscribers on Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family and Access plus GOtv subscribers on GOtv Lite, Value and Plus will be able to celebrate the boxing legend’s life.
Meanwhile, M-Net channel 101 and M-Net Movies Showcase channel 108 on DStv will adjust its schedules to pay special tribute to the beloved champion, with a documentary titled When We Were Kings, which will be screened on M-Net channel 101 on Sunday 5 June just after the 7:05pm movie (Pitch Perfect 2), and will be scheduled again on M-Net Movies Showcase channel 108 on Monday, 6 June at 7pm.
When We Were Kings, is an Academy Award winning documentary that follows the 1974 heavyweight champion boxing bout between reigning champion George Foreman and underdog challenger Muhammad Ali. The documentary includes amazing footage of both contenders, as well as an intimate look at the boxing legend’s preparation for the fight that would be nicknamed, “The Rumble in the Jungle”. Also featuring celebrity commentators, the documentary explores the boxer’s dynamic with the people of the DRC.