POETIC ALI

No cameras nor studio lights. Just Muhammad Ali and me, seated on a sofa in his Presidential Suite at the former Hilton Hotel. This took place 50 years ago on 26th June 1975.
I was privileged to be alone with Ali, a legendary sporting icon. I was hoping to come away with a story but ended up with Ali reciting a couple of poems
In the midst of our chat, he asked;” Would you like to hear me recite a poem.” I was delighted!You don’t get an opportunity like this and that too from Ali, a figure who was synonymous throughout the world.

“This poem is called THE HEART” Ali said softly to me. I was very fortunate to bring along an old National cassette recorder which had an over- used Cobalt C60 cassette tape ready to roll. You will hear a lot of hissing sounds as this recording is not studio quality. However, this recitation and recording can be considered as an “archive” material and one of a kind.

You will hear the unique Ali, who was considered “The Greatest Athlete” of our time doing something different other than shuffling and throwing punches. Ali, who won the Heavyweight Boxing title on three different occasions, fought Joe Bugner on 1st July 1975 at the Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). This was the only time he had visited Malaysia. Here you will experience Ali away from the boxing ring.

Hope you will enjoy this recitation by the “Louisville Lip”.

Cheers

George Das 29th July 2025
Recited to George Das
Photography courtesy of Tham Choon Fatt