Remembering Ali and the ‘Thrilla in Manila’

“To whom it may concern, for all the world will learn;

The greatest fighter of them all;

Is Cassius Clay – who makes them fall.”

These poetic lines characterized the style of boxing that “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali had introduced in the world of sports in the 60’s when he was then known as Cassius Clay.  Clay would compose a poem where he predicted the round he would knock out his opponents.

And the Filipino people were indeed very fortunate to experience the thrill and excitement Ali brought to the boxing world when on October 1, 1975, or 39 years ago, his third fight against Joe Frazier was held at the historic Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, which Ali won by technical knockout in the 14th round. Ali would later describe this fight as “his closest to dying he had ever been.”

Yes, I vividly remember that historic match. It was all because of an equally historic and memorable moment when I had two (2) hours with Ali in his suite at the then Hilton Hotel, now Waterfront Hotel and Casino, along United Nations Avenue in Manila. And my only passport to seeing him was an old scrapbook containing news clippings of his fights dating back in the 60’s when he was still known as Cassius Clay.

“Your album is authentic,” Ali said when he saw my clippings. “In other countries, my fans do the collection when they know I’m comin’ but yours is the only one of its kind.”

And to make a long story short, so to speak, Ali autographed seven (7) pages of my scrapbook, mostly those news clippings with his photographs. But that dramatic episode did not end there. We even watched an 8mm film on Lee Marvin Series, “The Lawbreaker,” and stayed with him for two hours with matching juice and biscuits he personally served me. At that time, there was no Betamax, VHS nor CD player yet.

I never get tired of repeating this one-on-one encounter with the world’s greatest heavyweight champion. And every October 1 is an opportune time to recall that treasured meeting with “The Greatest.”  And many boxing enthusiasts remember Ali as a boastful and feared warrior in the boxing ring. But I can say, without fear of contradiction, that deep inside his armor, this “warrior is a child” (a quote from Gary Valenciano’s hit song of similar title). Ali’s wife, Lonnie, perfectly described him as “gentle and caring with a heart purer than any I’ve ever known.”

In 1996, despite his bout against Parkinson’s disease, Ali once again showed his “caring and gentle heart” to his millions of fans when he lighted the 1996 Olympic urn with his right hand while his left hand was shaking. I could only say a prayer for him. But I still look forward to seeing him again – to shake even his “shaking” hand.

Ali! Ali! Ali!

ROMULO B. MACALINTAL

Election Lawyer

Las Pinas City