In a previous life, I was a freelance photographer.  In July 1976, I was working on a behind-the-scenes photo story about the Capital Centre, which had recently opened in Landover, Maryland.  One of the inaugural events was a heavyweight championship fight between Muhammad Ali and Jimmy Young.  I took this picture during the weigh-in.  That is Ali’s trainer, the late Angelo Dundee on the left. Although it was forty years ago, I still remember Dundee’s concern when Ali weighed in at 227 pounds, the heaviest of his boxing career.

I was fortunate to have this opportunity, but the Ali photograph I would have treasured more is not one in the ring.  If only I had accompanied Ali on one of his goodwill missions to Africa or the Middle East.  I wish I had captured the faces of young children who looked in Ali’s eyes and saw hope and new possibilities. Google images of “Ali in Africa” and you’ll see what I mean.

Back to July 1976.  The night of the fight, I was standing with Dundee waiting for Ali to arrive at the arena.  Dundee was not happy.  The preliminary bouts had already begun and his fighter was nowhere in sight.  He wondered if Ali was taking his opponent too lightly.  As it turned out, the contest was much closer than it should have ever been.

Whenever events or life do not go according to plan, I often wonder if there is an explanation.  Forty years later I think I know what might have happened that night. Ali was often referred to “as the most famous person on the planet.”  From that pedestal, his post-boxing life would be devoted to social and philanthropic causes.  It makes you wonder.  Was boxing just a means to an end?  Who would have listened to some African-American kid from Louisville?  Were all the years of training and sacrifice his way of creating a venue for the greater purpose of his life?

I was doing the New York Times crossword puzzle on my tablet last night, when the Associated Press alert popped up on the screen.  Ali had died at age 74.  I could not sleep.  I had lost someone who was important to my life experience.  I am comforted by the fact I am not alone.

For What It’s Worth
Dr. ESP