ALITRUISM

''Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth''
-Muhammad Ali

If one were to take such a statement literally, the very orator of the quote has paid in full. Whereby the
proof of his payment lie's in the hearts of each and every citizen that has inhabited earth since his arrival.
Overwhelming evidence unfolded across a lifetime of incredulous gestures and feats. For his moments
of benevolence in the spotlight or the deeds that not a single passer-by caught, to label the latter with
the tag of 'minor' rather than 'major' would be largely erroneous. Especially when you consider that the
true act of philanthropy is executed when the cameras are switched off. The task in recalling Ali's
inundated moments of altruism is one of overwhelming magnitude and perpetuality. However in letting
his acts of selflessness slip into oblivion would be nothing short of an insult to his memory. An insult to
his true essence.

Be it rising to the alarm for every morning workout. The Consumption of the preferable nutrients. The
Abstinence from every late night party. Examining such measures of discipline from a stereotypical
athlete leads to one end-product(''Why I do what I do''). The most common answers found in motives
such as: Money, health, status or simply love of the game. To find any reason otherwise would be both
an abnormality and a rarity.
In the spring of 71' when Ali set foot inside the squared circle pitted against the defending champion
Smokin' Joe Frazier, the press billed the fight as being the 'Fight of the century'. Frazier's motive was
simple-retain the heavyweight championship of the world. On the surface this seemed identical to Ali
but it was just another defining contrast between the two men. Ali's fight in the ring became a
metaphor for a certain ongoing battle outside it. Frazier who worked in a white man company held the
responsibility of the conservative caucasian race. While the challenger was ever willing to represent his
African American people in their struggle for racial equality.
Three years on Ali ventured to the heart of Africa seemingly facing a daunting task. A formidable
opponent in George Foreman standing in the way of his coveted crown. To many of the boxing experts
Ali's challenge was so insurmountable some feared for his life. Ali believed otherwise and sensed an
opportunity in the meantime. Longing to return to the land of his ancestors he choose to stage his fight
in the Congo. Thinking by holding such a large event in such an impoverished city as Kinshasa, Zaire it
would provide a massive economic boost to the region. Appearing regularly in mass gatherings he also
provided the people with such spiritual uplifiting's in the days and weeks he spent there preparing for
his showdown. Not to mention delivering the satisfactory result his follower's wished for.
Searching for a conclusion to end their three fight saga, Ali and Frazier took to Manila to what was billed
as a 'Thrilla'. What unfolded however lead you to conceive that the promoters were guilty of false

advertising. An event going so far beyond any 'thrills' that made every seated spectator marvel and
question the very nature of their current champion. Trading blows for an approximate twenty seven
minutes Ali returned to his corner flopping on his stool. Taking in large amounts of air he could only
come to one conclusion ''I think this is what dying feels like''. Such a statement a great insight to his
suffering and a testament to the resolution he displayed in returning to the center of the ring for an
additional five rounds. Doing justice to his supporters, he forced Frazier in to submission.
Post Manila Ali's career in the ring continued. Gaining six additional victories. Weeks after his thirty sixth
birthday Ali faltered at the hands of an unlikely victor Leon Spinks. Such an embarrassing loss lead the
public to believe that this was the beginning of his inevitable decline. Seven months later Ali entered the
ring and regained his title for an unprecedented third time. A palatable ending to a glittering career. Two
years on the news broke that Ali would again fight to defend his title against the feared and youthful
Larry Holmes. From the opening bell Ali barely even threw a single punch. He did nothing but lay subject
to a most dreadful beating. Ali fought one last time the following year. With his faculties at an all time
low he suffered his last defeat to Trevor Berbick. Through Ali's retirement the question was posed to his
camp members and his cornermen as to why he fought on so late in his career. The reason became
apparent from the off. Ali fought on because he was broke. When the men were further queried as to
how such a highly reputable figure could run into such financial difficulties there seemed to be only one
reason. He gave all his money away to the people, those less fortunate than himself.

When we take to the sporting fields, it is in those hours that we are scrutinized: Judgment day. Releasing
our pent up energy our disposition become's transparent. Expert's scrutinizing our every play. For which
our spirits are put to the test as the game reaches it's crux. Away from the battle lines, away from the
bright lights of competition our everyday lives can reveal a secondary viewpoint of our character. Even if
they are moments unannounced on a grander scale. Such moments can reveal the truth. A truth never
before discerned by the mass audience.

At the time of Ali's bout with George Chuvalo a promoter, Don Elbaum received a call from Ali's trainer
Angelo Dundee. Dundee looking for a place for his fighter to train declared to him that the deal was for
every spectator who passed through the doors an admission would be charged. That admission would
come to a fifty-fifty split-half for Ali, half for Elbaum. Elbaum agreeing to the request charged a five
dollar admission at the door(which was a lot for those days). On a daily basis the gymnasium was packed
with massive crowds. Taking in a large sum of two thousand dollars on average on a daily basis. Elbaum
taking his cut would give Ali the remaining half of one thousand dollars. Kid in numbers of thirties and
forties would come and gather around as Ali made his way back to the hotel. Ali formed an idea. He set
up each kid in running races in accordance with individual sizes and abilities. Winners and losers both in
receipt of the money Ali earned from the fifty-fifty split. Elbaum enthused with the moment was eager
to tell the papers, but was refused to do so, by Ali himself. Ali pleading with Elbaum explained that by

doing so his ''people'' would get upset and that he wouldn't have the permission to carry out such an
delightful event in the future.Elbaum respecting Ali's wishes never made the call.
In the late 1970s a photographer named Michael Gaffney spent a year with Ali as his personal
photographer. Gaffney proud of the many intimate moments spent with the champ, recalls one
particular time spent in South America. The pair visited a hospital that held kids and victims of polio. The
aisles and hallways around the hospital were lined with beggars. To each cry for help Ali obliged,
granting every beggar with a hundred dollar bill. Gaffney amazed and curious of the incredible gesture
queried the champ as to why he would deliver the people with such gifts. Ali responded,''Because a
hundred dollars here is worth ten thousand dollars at home''.
Akin to Gaffney Dr Mark Stacy, in charge of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center held many accounts of
times spent with the then retired boxer. One particular passage of time however sticks with the Doctor
acutely. In 1997, Ali agreed to give his name to a neurological institute in Phoenix. Dr Stacy attending a
dedication ceremony in honor of the champ had an encounter with the champ's wife. Feeling indebted
to the champ, Stacy offered Mrs Ali his helping hand to the pair in whatever they may need. Her
response was that Muhammad wished for the hospital to take care of everyone regardless of their
ability to pay. Stacy's colleagues telling him it wouldn't work advised him not to even mention it to the
hospital's head office. Stacy went through with Ali's wish and eventually received the go ahead from the
hospital's highest executives. A problem arose some time after when the patients couldn't afford to pay
for transportation to the hospital. Shortly after the issue was quenched as Ali gave a substantial
donation to cab fare. Stacy further remembered when Ali carried out advertising for a shoe company an
executive also offered his helping hand in return. ''Give shoes to my people'' was Ali's response. Unsure
of the statement the executive replied, ''Your people?''. Ali answered,''My people in Phoenix''. One of
the last moments Stacy could recall with Ali was a life defining one. Stacy driving Ali to an Annual charity
event he noticed Ali taking out a pack of baseball style cards. Ali signed each card with the intention of
giving them away at the event. His Parkinson's however made his job of penning his signature a much
more difficult one. Stacy glancing at Ali for a moment saw him tear up one of the cards. Tearing up
another card for a second time Ali leaned over, touching Stacy on the arm he said,''That one wasn't good
enough. I want people to have the best of me''.
One afternoon in the year of 81' an unknown male individual stood aloft on the ninth floor of a high rise
building. As people on the street below began to take notice they began to holler at the unidentified
man encouraging him to jump. Police were called to the scene and tried for hours to negotiate with the
youngster but to no avail. Ali hearing word of the incident from one of his close friends rushed to the
scene, driving down the wrong way in a race to get there on time. As Ali reached the location, he
sprinted inside and up to the ninth floor. Opening a neighboring window Ali communicated with the
African American man, insisting to him that he was his brother, that he wanted to help him and he
wanted him to meet his friends. A half an hour later Ali succeeded in persuading him to step back inside.
With his arms around the man's shoulders Ali led the youngster back to his car where he drove him to
the police station. Ali further accompanied the man on his trip to a psychiatric hospital where he would
undergo a mental examination.

In his final hours Ali's close friend Dr Abraham Lieberman told of the legend's regular visits to hospitals
and nursing homes voluntarily with the sole intention of cheering people up. Ali and his entourage took
a trip to a specific hospital, passing a room Ali questioned who was in there. An administrator warned
him that it was an old African American man who had not spoken for years and advised him not to go in.
Ali refusing the administrator's opinion entered the room asking the sorrowful man did he know who he
was. The man who looked up at Ali with sparkling eyes replied,''Yeah you are Joe Louis''. With a gasp
from the entourage Ali smiled as he left the room, with the opinion that,''If it gives him pleasure to think
I am Joe Louis then I am Joe Louis''.

Countless moments embed in the minds of each person he influenced. These indelible memories of Ali's
legacy characterized by the general population as unique and special. Yet hidden behind every story lies
one common denominator. Altruism. Sacrificing himself for the greater good of the people. The man
who gave us everything and asked for nothing in return, only to help. Taking this quality as his true
personality he is deserving of every superlative he is given. He is undeniably who he says he is...the
Greatest.