An Encounter With Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali passed away last night.

Today the newswires are filled with stories, tributes, and remembrances of, arguably, the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. For certain, Ali transcended the sport of boxing, sports in general, as he touched so many during his life’s journey which coincided with some of the most important happenings in the history of man – both in the US and globally. He was a sports icon, and most likely the most recognizable person in the world. A human touchstone.

One of the multitude of stories today came from Peter DeBoer, head coach of the San Jose Sharks. Mr. DeBoer tells of his encounter, as a 17 year old on prom night, with Ali in DeBoer’s hometown of Hamilton, Ontario some 30 years ago. Mr. DeBoer met Ali at a hotel with some prom night pals and each received a Koran signed by Ali. Mr. DeBoer states that he is not a collector of sports memorabilia –as he has only a couple of pieces – but the signed Koran is one that he does have.

Mr. DeBoer’s story is interesting because Prime Sports Report had an encounter with Ali within a day or two of Mr. DeBoer’s. PSR was having dinner at a restaurant in Hamilton– David’s – on a Sunday night when Muhammad Ali marched in with an entourage of 5 people.

Ali was in the restaurant to meet with the owner – David – who was deeply involved in the same children’s charity as Ali. An Eastern European immigrant, David was committed to helping children that were displaced or homeless victims of war as was he in Europe. And so Ali and David had forged a friendship and Ali was in Canada for some work with this charity and met with David at his restaurant – hence Ali being in Hamilton and meeting Mr. DeBoer.

There were maybe four other people in the restaurant other than PSR and friend. PSR was seated against a wall and could see people entre the restaurant. Because there was not much traffic in the place any movement of people was most noticeable. On that night PSR saw 4 or 5 people – all black – dressed in suits come into the restaurant. This group of people came through the door on PSR’s right about 20 feet away and walked along behind a half wall partition that separated one part of the elevated part of the restaurant where PSR was seated. The half wall was able to hide the people coming in save the hats they wore or the very tops of their heads. The last person to come in stood above those before him. PSR could see the top of his shoulders and head and face clearly.

It was Muhammad Ali. The Champ.

Now PSR’s fork stopped in mid flight to mouth and while the fork went back to the plate the mouth was still agape prompting PSR’s friend to ask what was up. The response was that Muhammad Ali just walked in. PSR’s friend responded in the negative and that PSR was most likely mistaken because why would any of that notoriety be in Hamilton and be at David’s. PSR recalled recently reading a story in the paper about Ali being in Canada to do something with a children’s charity and that some restaurateur in Hamilton was involved in the same charity. PSR’s friend was, thusly, convinced that it was Ali and that PSR was not hallucinating.

As the friend of PSR attempted to continue with the conversation, PSR was not listening but looking over her right shoulder at Ali and his group who has sit down at a large round table with someone who appeared to be the owner – the aforementioned David.  PSR was not listening or adding to the conversation, which was not received well. PSR said that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the Champ – who PSR greatly admired for his boxing successes – and that it should be undertaken. There was a negative response from PSR’s friend that Ali should be left alone and not hounded as other autograph hounds would like descend upon him like a pack of wolves.

After 5 minutes or so while trying to keep up with the conversation, PSR said that there were few people in the place and no one would go up to the Champ. Don’t do it was the response and PSR acquiesced not wanting to bother the Champ as would some dump and dopey autograph hound who would not know left hook from a hook shot. PSR being the experienced elite athlete and sports person was resigned to leaving Ali alone. But, much like what happened in PSR’s athletic career, when the pressure was on and the need arose, PSR rose to the occasion and delivered. PSR’s athletic instincts took over. PSR got up and walked over to the table.

The round table could seat 8-10 people and upon approaching PSR saw two of the entourage seated to the left of the Champ and three other to the right. The Champ was seating with his back to the approaching PSR listening to a animated David. PSR approached to the immediate left of the Champ since the chair there was empty providing a barrier between PSR and the Champ from the two entourage gentlemen further left.

PSR stopped abut one foot or less to the left of the Champ. At this point all conversation at the table ended and all eyes were on PSR. All eyes with a who are you and WTF do you want moron look. PSR, in a calm and loud enough voice so all at the table said the following:

“Excuse me gentleman, my apologies for the intrusion and interruption, but I just wanted to come over an shake the hand of, probably, the greatest heavyweight champion and greatest boxer of all time….Smokin’ Joe Frazier”

With the last three words PSR tapped Ali on the left shoulder and smiled and looked around at the stunned people at the table. After what seemed like an hour and not wanting the people at the table to have their mouths open that long PSR continued:

“Just kidding gentlemen. I am a big fan of the Champ and wanted to shake his hand”.

The people at the table needed to hear that but Ali didn’t. He knew PSR was joking and just before PSR has continued, Ali began to mug with PSR and put his dukes up and raised his left fist to PSR’s chin while giving the patented Ali faux lip bite. It was classic Ali – the look, the mugging.

Now, David chimed in and suggested that PSR ask the Champ for an autograph. PSR declined and said it was not necessary. David insisted a few times saying that it could showed off at the water cooler the next Monday morning at the office. Again David implored PSR to ask the Champ. PSR could sense that the Champ was ready for the ask. However, PSR would not budge.

Instead PSR said:

“No autograph thanks; I just wanted to shake the Champs hand [which PSR did again]”

When David again jumped in PSR, getting tired of it, pulled out a business card – with all expecting the ask for the autograph – and said the following:

“Champ, here is my business card. If you ever get sick of Bob Arum, give me a call”

With that, the Champ took the card, smiled and said thanks, shook PSR’s hand again and PSR walked away.

Once in a lifetime opportunity with a once in a lifetime man.

Prime Sports Report Commentary – June 4, 2016