The Hindu : Sport / Boxing : Lewis backs Ali's humanitarian efforts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 13, 2004

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Sport - Boxing

Lewis backs Ali's humanitarian efforts

LOUISVILLE (KENTUCKY), AUG. 12. Lennox Lewis has made a hefty donation to honour the career and ideals of his idol, Muhammad Ali.

Lewis, the former heavyweight boxing champion, recently pledged $300,000 over five years to the Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville, Ali's hometown.

The $43.5 million Center will highlight Ali's humanitarian efforts with an emphasis on conflict resolution and feature exhibits on Ali's boxing career.

Lewis sees the contribution as an expression of gratitude to Ali for influencing him as an athlete and a public figure.

``I want to be part of Muhammad Ali's legacy in helping people — especially children — to find greatness within,'' Lewis said in a release on Wednesday.

Ali was a three-time heavyweight champion. Both Ali and Lewis were Olympic gold medal winners.

Lewis was the first professional athlete to pledge money to the Center, said its spokeswoman Jeanie Kahnke. His pledge also was one of the largest individual donations, she said.

Ali's wife, Lonnie, said they were grateful for Lewis' support.

``This gift says a lot about the man,'' Lonnie Ali said.

Construction of the Center began last week. Work has been completed on a ground-level parking garage that will be beneath the Ali Center. The Center is expected to open in the autumn of 2005. — AP

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