Muhammad Ali - A Few Personal Recollections.

I posted this on Facebook on June 4th, 2016 - the day after The Greatest left us. Even though it is not music trivia, I wanted to keep it for posterity. MUHAMMAD ALI – A FEW PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS He was undoubtedly THE GREATEST athlete of our generation. So many fond memories of this giant of his sport. I remember my father’s excitement when he won the Light Heavyweight Gold Medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. Fast-forward to 1964 – I was a patient at Hospital del Maestro being treated for meningitis. In my room there was a coin-fed tiny little TV set. My dad, my dear uncle Jorge (Tio Gol) Juncos and I watched, to the tune of many quarters, as a young Cassius Clay pulverized Sonny Liston to become World Champion. A few years later I had the privilege of seeing him in person! My dad took me to Hiram Bithorn Stadium to a Chegui Torres fight. As part of the pre-fight card Ali fought an exhibition round against a sparring partner. I will never forget that moment for as long as I live. From 1973 to 1977 I lived at the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity in Philly. All studying would stop as the brothers of Chi gathered in front of the TV in the living room to watch Ali fight Ken Norton, George Foreman, Chuck Wepner and Ernie Shavers. Last, but certainly not least, I recall with awe and admiration seeing a picture of my very dear first cousin Dr. Jorge Juncos, renowned neurologist and Parkinson’s authority, treating Ali. RIP, CHAMP!