The Hindu : New Delhi News : A treat for boxing enthusiasts

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Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008
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A treat for boxing enthusiasts

ESPN Star Sports channel airing a series on legendary pugilist Muhammad Ali

In action: Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali

Boxing enthusiasts can now get up close and personal with legendary pugilist Muhammad Ali on ESPN Star Sports channel.

“Muhammad Ali Special”, a series that began on Monday and will be shown daily up to August 28, will showcase some of the greatest fights of the inimitable Ali.

A boxer who could “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”, Ali was dreaded by all his opponents in his time. Till date, he is considered one of the greatest boxers in the heavyweight category, with the rare distinction of winning the Heavyweight World Championship three times, a championship with a history dating a century back where no title holder had ever been able to retain his title for consecutive years.

To commemorate Ali’s legacy, ESPN Star Sports has brought together a bouquet of his exciting encounters like “Rumble in the Jungle” and “Thriller in Manila”.

Ali’s fisticuffs with fellow boxers like Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Sonny Liston, Henry Cooper and Leon Spinks are still registered in golden letters in the history of boxing.

Floating, stinging, punching, prophesying, Ali transformed his sport and became the world’s most adored athlete during his time.

The special package includes 14 classic nerve-wracking encounters between Ali and his counterparts.

Rather than the normal style of carrying the hands high to defend the face, the 6 feet 3 inch pugilist had a highly unorthodox style for a heavyweight boxer.

He relied on foot speed and quickness to avoid punches and carried his hands low.

Ali also has an Olympic gold to his name in the light heavyweight category. Ali’s outspokenness and charismatic outlook earned him his most renowned nickname, ‘The Greatest’. He was also honoured as “The Sportsman of the Century” in 1999 by Sports Illustrated and BBC.

A dominant heavyweight fighter of the 1960s and the 1970s, Ali’s boxing skills were such a crowd puller that his fights also had their own names.

Like his fight with George Foreman, in the winter of 1974 -- till date considered the biggest upset in the history of boxing -- was known as “Rumble in the Jungle”.

Madhur Tankha

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