Muhammad Ali:
‘My Dad Fought Parkinson Disease like an Opponent for 30Years’– 1st Daughter, Maryum Ali
*Says: “He would want Humanity to Celebrate His Ideals and Life”
*Confession: “I Had Nostalgic Moments with My Father”-Hanna Ali
*Nigerian Community in America Mourn Legendary Boxer
*24Hours Battle on Life Support Machine, His Last Words on Hospital Bed
*Nigerian American Press Association Pays Tribute to Greatest Pugilist
*PLUS: How He DIED Smiling, Life Inside/Outside the Ring
BY GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU/CNNiReport Journalist in Phoenix
MARYUM Ali, first daughter of the late iconic pugilist, Mohammad Ali, born to the legendary boxer’s second wife, Belinda Boyd who later changed her name to Khalilah (since first wife had no kid for him) has reportedly broken the silence over the demise of her father formerly known as Cassius Marcellus Clay. Maryum explained that Ali lived a fulfilled life, abhor injustice, helped humanity and added value to health researches in United States.
True, Mohammad Ali was a fighter, a victor in the ring and outside of the ring. Ali, was the greatest boxing champion that ever lived. He was an iconic pugilist who fought and conquered death in sleep, as he transited into the waiting arms of the Heavenly Angels who are presently celebrating his life on earth. He came, he saw, he conquered. Barely 24 hours ago, Ali died smiling deeply after been rushed to Phoenix Hospital, Arizona.
Ali, a boxing maestro who dumped his former name Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. battled Parkinson disease for 30 years which eventually resulted in his respiratory problems. Ali had been treated in hospital many times in recent years, most recently in early 2015 when he was treated for a severe urinary tract infection initially diagonised as pneumonia.
His nine children canceled all their earlier appointment, kept vigil by Ali’s bed and began praying for God to heal their 74 year old father.
Ali, ‘greatest boxing legend of all times’ with 56 wins (including five knockouts) against five defeats, felt there was need for him to join the innumerable Angels already celebrating his numerous victories over life’s vicissitudes, as he ‘float like a butterfly’ into the waiting arms of the Heavenly beings and gave up the ghost.
As if he knew he would be transiting into the next world, after been rushed to the hospital, he held each hands of his children by his bedside, prayed silently in inaudible voice for each of them. He knew the joy that awaits him in the Heavenly is far more greater than that of the earth. That was his last activity in the hospital after which the legendary boxer died with smiles written over his face. The iconic superstar lived peacefully in the Phoenix area with his fourth wife, Lonnie whom he married in 1986.
‘Dad Fought Disease for 30 Years as a Champ’, says 1st Daughter, Maryum Ali
According to Maryum: “My father would not want people feeling sorry for him. Don’t do that. If you wanna know more about Muhammad Ali, look out for those good. He’s had Parkinson for 30 years, fought like it like a champ, handled it like any other opponent. He battled Parkinson disease like a champ. He raised a lot of money for research and development. Honestly, my Dad said I have lived a life of 100 men. Juts be proud of him, he is still here with us. He left his huge legacy behind for us all.”
‘My Evergreen Moment with My Father’-Hana Ali
Hana Ali, one of the daughters of Veronica Porsche, third wife to the boxing legend, who had a sister, Laila confirmed the greatest ever lived boxer would not want anyone tp feel bad for him as he was no longer under any pain. “My father died smiling. He would not want anyone to feel bad for him. He’s no loner under any pain. My dad had Parkinson disease but lived a healthy life. Parkinson treatment is progressive. My sister Maryum knows more about Parkinson disease. My father today, his spirit is not in pain. I call him regularly in the mornings. He speaks the best in the morning when you can actually hear him clearly. He raised his sweet voice, he jokes, talking about coming and making a come-back today. So, he wants the world to know he is a marvelous father, who enjoys his daily routine. He gets us, follow his physical therapy, eats his food. He criticizes himself, lived on full beautiful life. Around the house he is always happy with his eyes wide open,” says Hana.
Nigerian Community in America Mourn Legendary Boxer
Ihejioka Oyebuchi, Chairman of Nigerian Community in North America eulogized the virtue of Ali, what he represent during his life time and his resilience spirit of ‘never-give up’. He told this Correspondent that “Muhammad Ali was a rare bred. You can hardly find a semblance of him in every generation. This present generation of humanity has lost a voice of freedom, justice, fairness, equity and resilience. Ali represented everything good in humanity. He had a string spirit, having had to fight death in Parkinson’s disease for 30 years without giving up. It only takes a man of great character to stand and face death one-on-one. Nigerian community here in North America have learned a lot from the inspirational life of Ali. We are confident he is presently in Heaven. May his soul rest in peace.”
Nigerian American Press Association Pays Tribute to Muhammad Ali
Steve Franklin, President, Nigerian American Press Association, (NAPA), famous European born-American journalist paid his last tribute to Muhammad Ali whom he described ‘Greatest Sports Idol that ever lived’. Holding back tears, Steve said: “There are lot of lessons Muhammad Ali has taught mankind. He lived a life of fulfillment and total satisfaction. He has taught humanity that you have power to overcome your travails, conquer your defeats and overcome your fears. He is the greatest enigma in sports entertainment. NAPA is presently celebrating all the ideals, visions, principles and philosophies Ali stood for. We believe humanity has a lot to learn from the humble life of this great American. We profoundly love and cherish him, as we know his smile will no longer fade away in our hearts, his memory will be evergreen in our lives. Rest in peace Muhammad Ali.”
Muhammad Ali had 9 Children, Four Marriages
Muhammad Ali has passed away, leaving behind a huge family of 9 kids. Ali was married four times, but not all of his children came from each wife. Two of his kids were from other relationships. When Ali married his first wife Sonji Roi the marriage was very short and they never had kids. Ali then went on to marry his second wife Belinda Boyd, who later changed her name to Khalilah. Together, they had four children – Maryum (who was born 1968), twins Jamillah and Rasheda (who were born 1970), and Muhammad Ali, Jr. (who was born 1972).
While married to Boyd, Ali had an affair with his third wife Veronica Porsche. Porsche and Ali went on to get married and had two daughters – Hana and Laila Ali. Ali’s current wife (now widow), married the former boxer in 1986 and they adopted one son together – Assad Amin. In addition to these seven offspring, Ali also had two other daughters – Miya and Khaliah. Miya’s mother is a woman named Patricia Harvell and reports that Khaliah is a love child of Ali’s. Khaliah was conceived when Ali was still married to second wife Boyd. Khaliah’s mother is a woman named Wanda Bolton.
Though this equals nine children, there’s a good possibility that Muhammad Ali may actually have 10 kids as a woman named Kiiursti Mensah Ali claims to have proof in a paternity test. Kiiursti Mensah Ali reportedly said that she is Muhammad Ali’s daughter, but she blames Ali’s wife Lonnie for cutting her out of her father’s life. Mensah revealed: Muhammad Ali is my dad – but everything changed the moment he married her. He stopped coming to see me. As the years went by he got sicker and sicker. She stopped him having a relationship with me. It’s been devastating. Mensah said that Ali met her mother Barbara when Barbara was just 17 years old. For even more details on each one of Ali’s children, click through our gallery of their photos.
PROFILE:
Born: 17 January 1942 (age 74)
Full Name: Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.
Nickname: ‘The Greatest’
From: Louisville, Kentucky
Record: 56 wins (including five knockouts) against five defeats
Inside the Ring
Ali is generally considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights in the history of boxing. His style in the ring was highly unusual for a heavyweight, relying on speed, lightning-fast reflexes and constant movement around his opponents – summed up by his catchphrase; “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”
Outside the Ring : As well as a legendary boxer, Ali became an icon for his refusal to join the US military during the Vietnam War. He was arrested and found guilty on draft evasion charges and stripped of his boxing title. His conviction was eventually overturned in 1971.
