Muhammad Ali Ailing: Rumors Swirling About the Heavyweight Boxer's Health Claimed Untrue By Family
Famous boxer, Muhammad Ali has been in the media spotlight with rumors swirling that his health is ailing. However, according to close family members of the heavyweight champ, Ali is doing fine. May May Ali, Muhammad Ali's daughter said to The Associated Press that her father happily watched the Superbowl yesterday and that the rumors were false.
"He's fine; in fact, he was talking well this morning," she said to the AP."These rumors pop up every once in a while but there's nothing to them."
The rumor started when a British tabloid, The Sun, quoted Ali's Brother, Rahman saying that Muhammad Ali was on his death bed. Rahman then later said that he has not seen or had any contact with his brother since last summer.
The Sun quoted Rahman as saying, "My brother can't speak. He doesn't recognize me. He's in a bad way. He's very sick. It could be months, it could be days. I don't know if he'll last the summer. He's in God's hands. We hope he gently passes away."
Ali who celebrated his 71st birthday last month has Parkinson's disease. Spokesman for the family, Bob Gunnell said that Ali was at home in Phoenix watching the Superbowl donned in Baltimore Ravens' gear.
Ali was stripped of his heavyweight title in 1967 after he refused to go into military service. "I ain't got no quarrel with them Vietcong," he famously said.
Ali won an Olympic gold medal in 1960 in Rome and won three heavyweight titles.
"After three years in exile, Ali returned in 1970 and scored impressive wins over Jerry Quarry and Oscar Bonavena. That set up what may be the most famous match in boxing history, a March 8, 1971, bout against Smokin' Joe Frazier," reported Yahoo Sports.
In 1975 Ali was in Manila Philippines and fought Frazier again. He famously dubbed the fight "The Thrilla in Manila." Yahoo Sports reported that that fight is regarded one of the greatest in boxing history.
Ali's last public appearance was at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans last month.