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‘Legend never dies’: Vijender, Mary Kom among Indians mourning Ali’s death
The Indian sporting fraternity also united in grief to mourn the death of the former heavyweight boxing champion, with Vijender Singh, MC Mary Kom and the fast-rising Shiva Thapa expressing sorrow over the loss ‘the Greatest’ of the game.
As the legendary Muhammad Ali passed away in the US fighting the Parkinson’s disease for 32 years, tributes poured from all over the world. The Indian sporting fraternity also united in grief to mourn the death of the former heavyweight boxing champion, with Vijender Singh, MC Mary Kom and the fast-rising Shiva Thapa expressing sorrow over the loss of ‘the Greatest’ of the game.
The three-time world heavyweight champion was put on a life support system on Thursday in a Phoenix hospital where he breathed his last at the age of 74.
“Muhammad Ali was a legend and a legend never dies. All that he did for the sport will never be forgotten. In fact his work even outside the ring has immortalised him. He did so much for so many,” Vijender told PTI, reacting to Ali’s death.
Read | The name’s Ali, he was the king, the greatest of them all
Born as Cassius Clay on January 17, 1942 before converting to Islam, Ali is survived by his nine children, including daughter Laila, who like her father became a world champion boxer; and his fourth wife, Lonnie.
In 1960, Ali won an Olympic gold medal as a light-heavyweight. After turning professional, he defeated Sonny Liston by KO in the seventh round and became the World Heavyweight Champion in 1964.
Read | Ali, the boxing legend who floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee
“It’s a huge, huge loss for boxing. I personally feel a sense of loss because he had inspired me and so many others like me. He will always be remembered for being a powerful boxer and an equally powerful personality. It’s a very sad day for the sport,” said Mary Kom, a five-time world champion.
Shiva, the lone Indian boxer to have qualified for the Rio Olympics thus far, said Ali would always be synonymous with boxing.
“It really saddens me that a huge legend is no more between us. But greats never die, they live on for all that they have done in their lifetime. He will always be alive in the hearts of people because he touched so many lives with all that he did. He may not be there in person anymore but his spirit will live on because every time someone would say boxing, the first name to come to mind would be Ali,” Shiva said.
Read | #RIPMuhammadAli: He was bold, pretty, superior and skilful say Tweeple
Former Commonwealth Games gold-medallist and one of India’s most successful boxers, Akhil Kumar, also offered his tributes to the legend.
Ali’s appeal was not limited merely to the boxing fraternity.
Former Indian Test cricket captain Anil Kumble tweeted:
Former Olympic silver-medallist shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who is now a minister in the current government, also paid his tributes.
Tennis player Rohan Bopanna said, “Really really sad news about the passing away of Muhammad Ali, Absolute legend. #RIP MuhammadAli.”
Also read | RIP Muhammad Ali: The Greatest films on the boxing legend
