"The Greatest" Dies

In 1970, I was living in Pittsburgh and had to be in New York on business. My father happened to be in New York at the same time. We were meeting in the lobby of my hotel for dinner. When I got into the elevator, there were two gentlemen. One was a giant. I said "Are you Cassius Clay?" (I knew that he had changed his name, but that's what came out.)  He said, "Muhammad Ali."  The other gentleman was Cus D'Amato, his trainer. We shook hands. I told Muhammad that I was meeting my father in the lobby and asked him if he would let me introduce him to my father and play a joke on him. He said yes. When we got to the lobby, I went over to my father told him that I wanted him to meet a friend. We went over to Muhammad and Cus, and I said "Dad, this is a friend of mine, Muhammad Ali." They shook hands and as we walked away, my Dad asked "Do you really know him." 

Muhammad was a true gentleman.

I'm so sorry to hear it. I saw last night that he was in the hospital, and figured it was coming. 

Great story Cramer. Thank you so much for sharing it.

Favorite quote: "It's not bragging if you can back it up"

I remember being with friends when he was just allowed back into boxing.  We were in a New York high rise, near the top.  I am sure our whooping and hollering was heard all the way south to the ground floor. We watched the tv with rapt attention during the match It was a day to remember and savor.  Boxing was back and the man was on his way back to where he belonged.

RIP

Jerry Izenberg wrote a wonderful column today.

http://www.nj.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/06/former_heavyweight_champ_muhammad_ali_dies_the_gre.html#incart_river_home

cramer said:

In 1970, I was living in Pittsburgh and had to be in New York on business. My father happened to be in New York at the same time. We were meeting in the lobby of my hotel for dinner. When I got into the elevator, there were two gentlemen. One was a giant. I said "Are you Cassius Clay?" (I knew that he had changed his name, but that's what came out.)  He said, "Muhammad Ali."  The other gentleman was Cus D'Amato, his trainer. We shook hands. I told Muhammad that I was meeting my father in the lobby and asked him if he would let me introduce him to my father and play a joke on him. He said yes. When we got to the lobby, I went over to my father told him that I wanted him to meet a friend. We went over to Muhammad and Cus, and I said "Dad, this is a friend of mine, Muhammad Ali." They shook hands and as we walked away, my Dad asked "Do you really know him." 

Muhammad was a true gentleman.

Great story from a time before security details and entourages and, in fairness, Mark David Chapmans.

The 11 Essential Muhammad Ali Videos (from the Wall St Journal) 

Thanks!