Muhammad Ali was able to dazzle with his wordplay as much as with his footwork throughout his long boxing career.
It was Ali’s showmanship and ability to captivate audiences when speaking that helped to make him into the global star he was. He will forever be known as ‘The Greatest’, though his earlier nickname was ‘The Louisville Lip,’ reflecting his ability to talk and tie his opponents in mental knots even before the first bell.
Now it has emerged that long after he stopped fighting, he reached out to a former British world heavyweight champion to share words of comfort when he learned he was going through tough times.
The heart-warming letter to Frank Bruno in 1993, which was then shared by The Malestrom, featured some of Ali’s trademark rhymes but showed a softer, more sympathetic side full of support for Bruno, while also admitting he felt it would have been a hard night’s work had the two ever met in the ring.
“When I watch you fight I am happy that I didn’t come along now. From what I see, you could have given me a whole lot of trouble. I know you are a good man and have a nice personality, and you are not bad looking either. If we were matched for a title bout, it would be awful hard for me to make myself angry enough to fight you.
“So, Frank, I am glad we never fought, and I am glad we will never have to fight… I like you too much! For I am no fool. I’ve been to school. You’re too cool. You’re not dumb enough to stay on the stool. And let me rule.”
