Muhammad Ali - his time in England

04 June 2016 09:23

Muhammad Ali was a boxer who transcended the sport.

Wherever he went, 'The Greatest' captivated not just fight fans but people from all walks of life.

Even after his 1981 retirement his fame did not fade and he was afforded the warmest of welcomes around the world.

Ali was a regular visitor to England and made several high-profile trips.

Fighting Henry Cooper at Wembley

Ali's first fight in England was with Cooper at the national stadium on June 18, 1963. Ali won by knockout, having based himself in London for almost a month ahead of the fight.

He arrived at Heathrow on May 27 and would train for the bout by running through he city, the hood on his white sweater pulled up tight as he jogged through Hyde Park and along Regent Street with fellow boxer Jimmy Ellis.

Rematch with Cooper

Ali was back on British shores in May 1966 for a rematch with Cooper, this time at Highbury. The result was the same and so was the reception Ali received. He again ran through Hyde Park, this time with a dog, Cindy.

Ali signed autographs for the locals hours ahead of the fight, ran in the streets and then stopped Cooper with a cut eye.

The day after, Ali put on a suit and walked around London's parks.

Fighting Brian London

Ali's final fight in the English capital came against Brian London at Earls Court in August 1966. He won, by knockout, and again made the most of his time in the city.

He went up the GPO Tower (now the BT Tower) at Howland Street to meet the media, while he also posed for photos with old foe Cooper.

In the North East

Ali thrilled fans in the North East when he visited in 1977, going round Tyneside boxing clubs in order to raise money. More than a thousand people greeted him at the airport after he had missed his initial connection from Heathrow.

He travelled on an open-top bus, with thousands of fans lining the streets to cheer his every wave. He and then-wife Veronica attended a blessing at a local mosque, again with a packed audience.

Sparring with Parkinson

Ali appeared four times on Sir Michael Parkinson's chat show, with the two once squaring up as Ali described the Yorkshireman as a "honky". Parkinson said of Ali: "He was the most amazing man I have ever met."

Ali once signed off a show by saying: ""You and this little TV show is nothing to Muhammad Ali."

Parkinson's wife Lonnie would later reveal how her husband would watch back the interviews with affection in later life.

Opening a centre in Birmingham

Ali returned to England in 1983 to open a community centre in Birmingham.

Two years into his retirement, he required a police escort to hold back the crowds after a free-for-all broke out at the main entrance upon his arrival.

The London Olympics

Ali was back in London in 2012, helping carry the Olympic flag to the centre of the newly-built Olympic Stadium.

Dressed all in white, and wearing dark shades, he was aided by wife Lonnie due to his frail condition.

He sat while others stood, but made it to his feet for the final steps of the flag's journey.

Source: PA