Susan DeMar LaffertyContact ReporterDaily Southtown
Boxing fans in the Southland were saddened by the death of Muhammad Ali, but also remembered "The Greatest" for his terrific moves in the ring and the humor and antics through which he brought this sport to life.
Ali had strong ties to Chicago's South Side, having lived in the Hyde Park and Woodlawn areas and worked out in the local gyms.
His son-in-law Michael Joyce, who knew Ali from boxing in the gyms before he
married his daughter Jamiliah, operates the Celtic Boxing Club in Chicago's Mount Greenwood community. He doesn't teach the kids Ali's tactics so much as the boxing champ's philosophy of paying it forward, giving back and working hard, he said.
married his daughter Jamiliah, operates the Celtic Boxing Club in Chicago's Mount Greenwood community. He doesn't teach the kids Ali's tactics so much as the boxing champ's philosophy of paying it forward, giving back and working hard, he said.
Ali's legacy will continue because all of his adult children are involved in causes, including anti-violence and youth efforts, stem cell research and finding a cure for Parkinson's disease, from which Ali suffered, he said.
"There's only one Ali," Joyce said. "Not everyone can be a heavyweight champion, but boxing teaches you to set a goal, work hard and develop a sense of pride."
On the South Side, the champ was known for organizing an amateur boxing program for the Chicago Park District. While boxing in Ireland, he made a large donation to a children's hospital.
Beyond that, he was also known for his sense of humor, Joyce said, recalling his father-in-law's 74th birthday party this year, when he was doing magic tricks with the magician.
"He liked having fun. He was always laughing, always playing jokes. He liked all people. He was a people person. He had to be around people. He loved all his grandchildren," he said.
Ali hung out at Chicago gyms, and recalled hearing the news that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his 1967 conviction for draft dodging while he was driving near 79th and Halsted in 1971. He returned to boxing after being banned for three years.
Johnny Coulon's gym was the place for boxers to be back in the 1970s, and that's where Martin McGarry, of McGarry's Gym in Chicago's Beverly community, first met Ali.
McGarry had just moved to the South Side from Ireland and wanted to follow in the footsteps of his older brother by becoming a boxer.
"Everyone used to train there. That was the place to be – 1154 E. 63rd St.," McGarry said. And sparring with some of boxing big names, like Ali and Ernie Terrell, was part of his workout. A lot of good fighters went through Coulon's gym – Eddie Perkins, Joe Louis, George Chuvalo, he said, naming a few.
"He was working out at Coulon's regularly. He was a lot of fun. I learned a lot from him," said McGarry, who not only went on to win Golden Glove and state championships, but founded and still operates McGarry's Gym for aspiring young boxers.
"It was a major thrill to be in the same gym with him," he said, adding that Ali taught him speed and how to move around. "He was unique – that's for sure. Everyone tried to emulate Mohammad Ali. He was the man."
"He was always full of tricks, always pulling funny stuff," McGarry said, adding that it was always a "good time" when Ali was around.
"He was good for boxing, good for everyone. He influenced kids to get to the gym. He changed the lives of many people," he said. "He will definitely be missed."
McGarry's son Morgan said he tries to teach kids who come to his dad's gym some of Ali's tactics.
"He was ahead of his time. His speed and power set him apart. He was good for boxing. He was a showman and a character. There was no doubt he was entertaining," Morgan McGarry said.
His father has coached many champions, including Joyce. Joyce's wedding to Jamiliah Ali was the last time McGarry saw Ali.
Joyce now owns Celtic Boxing Club in the 3000 block of 111th Street in Mount Greenwood. The club was quiet on Saturday morning, but Duke Baffoe was on hand in case anyone stopped in for a workout.
Ali was a "global icon," he said. "He was larger than the sport."
Down the street from Celtic Boxing Club is the Southside Knockout Training. Chris Paschal, of Chicago, was just finishing his workout.
"He was the greatest because he was able to bring entertainment as well as athleticism to the sport," he said. "With his antics and his skill, he made more people watch the sport."
Paschal said Ali had a "calm demeanor" in the ring, which confused his opponents.
"They never knew what he was going to do," he said.
Cordell Haynes, a trainer at Southside Knockout, said Ali was "definitely the greatest of all time."
A certified cultural icon, Muhammad Ali was a retired professional boxer with an estimated net worth amounting to $80 million. Apart from his life as a boxer, Muhammad Ali was also a known social activist and philanthropist.
ReplyDeleteHe had 9 children. That's a cool $9 million for each of them, tax free.
DeleteI heard that Pickle pledged 4 1/2 million to Leo HS.
ReplyDelete