Recalling Muhammad Ali’s connection to my family

My life has been touched by Muhammad Ali in more ways than one. He was an activist and a true humanitarian.

I am very proud to say that Muhammad Ali was a friend to my family in New Orleans and especially my father, Don Hubbard, who had a close relationship with Muhammad for well over 50 years. My father recently visited Muhammad in Arizona. Muhammad will be buried today in his hometown.

The Ali I knew was strong and fair, and he believed in justice for all races.

Unfortunately, when he started speaking his mind – after becoming a professional boxer in the early 1960s – speaking out could cost a black man. In Ali’s case, it almost cost him his career. When Muhammad refused to go to war due to his religious beliefs, he was jailed.

For my family, it began on Sept. 15, 1978, when Ali was set to fight Leon Spinks at the New Orleans Superdome. The fight was promoted by my father, who at the time was president of the Superdome (now called the Mercedes Benz Dome). This fight had historical ramification. If he won, Muhammad would become the only fighter in the history of boxing to regain his heavyweight title three times.

This fight set a record for turnout for an indoor arena – 65,370 bought tickets and millions more worldwide watched the bout on television. The live gate of $7 million was a record at the time.

Muhammad won that fight, making history.

Later, Muhammad gave my father a championship ring that says “Three Time World Champion” in diamonds.

When I visit my father in New Orleans, he lets me wear Muhammad’s ring on my finger around the house. That’s when I start to float like a butterfly and buzz like a bee. But when I look in the mirror, I don’t see Muhammad Ali.

Is Muhammad Ali really what he claimed, “The Greatest”?

After Muhammad won the gold medal in the 1960 Olympics light heavyweight boxing division, he returned to his hometown of Louisville, Ky. When he got there, he was refused service at one of the restaurants. Out of frustration, he threw the gold medal in the river. The rest of his life story is history.

Very simple, no sporting icon has ever matched the popularity of Muhammad Ali – who shone as brilliantly outside the ring as inside.

Ali’s work as an ambassador for peace extends back to 1985, when he flew to Lebanon to try to secure the release of four hostages. Before the Gulf War, Ali flew to Iraq to help negotiate the release of 15 American hostages.

Muhammad Ali was not a perfect man, but he most definitely was a God-fearing man who touched many lives around the world.

I am proud to be a resident of Merced and able to share my small connection to one of the world’s most respected humanitarians, Muhammad Ali. May Allah bless him!

This story was originally published June 8, 2016 at 6:23 PM with the headline "Recalling Muhammad Ali’s connection to my family."