Tributes have poured in from across the UK for Muhammad Ali, a self-proclaimed anglophile who made little secret of his love for Britain.
Although Ali had a frequently ambivalent relationship with his country of birth, the US, he and Britain developed a near-instant mutual admiration that blossomed from his first visit to London 53 years ago. It is little surprise that a petition started by British boxer David Haye to grant Ali an honorary knighthood had amassed more than 28,000 signatures by midday on Saturday, its wording explaining that to grant Ali such recognition would make him the “first Muslim to be so honoured, acknowledging him for the inspirational figure” he was and noting that “Muhammad loves [sic] the UK”.
Within moments of the news that Ali was dead, British figures began publicly sharing their admiration for the 74-year-old. Among them was TV presenter Michael Parkinson, whose quartet of famous interviews with Ali remain electrifying viewing, and who on Saturday described how he was left speechless when he first saw Ali backstage. “He did gob-smack me as he walked across the floor. I’d never seen a more graceful and beautiful man. He was extraordinary.”
Other Britons to mourn the loss of a man often called “the Greatest” included footballer David Beckham, who cited the boxer’s famous “impossible is nothing” quote on Instagram. Another former England player, Gary Lineker, tweeted: “The greatest has fought his final round. Muhammad Ali was the most magnificent athlete who transcended his sport.”
A litany of names from Ali’s own sport queued up to pay their respects. Former British heavweight champion Frank Bruno said on Twitter: “Inspiration, mentor, my friend, an earthly God of humanity, simply.”
British boxer Amir Khan offered his “prayers and thoughts” to Ali and his family. Others hailed his exploits outside the ring. Lord Sugar said Ali “fought for racial equality”. The prime minister, David Cameron, praised the fact that he was “not just a champion in the ring” but a champion of civil rights” and a role model to many.
One extraordinary anecdote to emerge came from a leading British civil rights campaigner who described how Ali agreed to visit a south London school during one of the boxer’s numerous trips to the capital. Paul Stephenson, 79, approached the world heavyweight champion in a hotel foyer in 1974 and invited him to visit Tulse Hill comprehensive school. The next day Ali, who was in London on the way to Chicago after retaining his belt against George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle, appeared before 1,000 astonished pupils.
“He stepped out from behind the curtain on to the stage and … a roar went out because there was Muhammad Ali in front of them,” said the school governor, who spent decades fighting racial inequality in the UK. “I was absolutely dumbfounded and then he said: ‘I like your school, Mr Stephenson, I admire your style, but the pay is so cheap, I won’t be back for a while’,” said Stephenson, who also described Ali sparring with teachers and signing good behaviour certificates with which they could bribe pupils.
Many others also said that it was salient that Britain’s affection for Ali was also remembered. George Foreman, Ali’s friend and rival from the famous “Rumble in the Jungle” fight said: “He loved London. If he had been born and raised in London, he never would have changed his name.”
Ali’s promoter, Bob Arum, has previously described how the boxer’s first visit to Britain and his reception “had a tremendous impact” on him, saying: “Coming to London was like fresh air, and Ali never ever forgot it. It felt like we’d escaped from prison in the US.”
In 1999, he was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Century, and he won Overseas Sports Personality of the Year three times. Although Ali initially enraged his British audience before his fight against Henry Cooper at Wembley in June 1963, describing London as a place where “the cars are too small, the streets are too narrow and I haven’t seen as many pretty girls as I do at home”, his humility and post-fight respect for Cooper endeared him to an audience who never fell out of love with the man then known as Cassius Clay.
Even Wembley itself has paid homage, the stadium’s Twitter account stating: “All at Wembley are saddened to hear of the passing of Muhammad Ali. Our thoughts are with his friends & family.”
