Is it me or has 2016 started out as the most tragic of all years in relation to celebrity deaths? Here we are at the midpoint of the year and it seems some of our best-loved celebrities pass away

Just this past week, we lost another giant personality in Muhammad Ali.

 

That follows the deaths of actors and comedians and musicians like Prince, David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Doris Roberts, Morley Safer, Merle Haggard, Patty Duke, Garry Shandling, Nancy Reagan, George Kennedy, Glenn Frey, Abe Vigoda, Dan Haggerty (Grizzly Adams) and George Martin to name a few.

 

I remember as a child watching all the coverage of Ali, in my personal opinion (and his own) as being the greatest boxer who ever lived. I don’t have the personal experience of witnessing fights from fighters as Rocky Marciano, Jack Johnson or Sugar Ray Robinson, but I do know some of the “better” fighters I knew of were George Foreman, Joe Frazier and Ken Norton — and Ali whooped them all.

 

I remember thinking Ali was such a showman, an egotist and pompous jerk when I fist got to see him to growing in my appreciation for the man. 

 

And you know why?

 

Because he backed his words with his actions.

 

Ali was 56-5 with 37 knockouts in his career. I’d say that’s backing his mouth up, wouldn’t you?

 

I especially liked watching the interchanges Ali had with Howard Cosell over the many years. The times when they would verbally jab at each other and the times Ali would threaten to pull Cosell’s toupee off on national TV.

 

Since I’m a Beatle fan too, I recall seeing all the black and white photos of the Fab Four goofing around with the man who nicknamed himself “The Greatest, “the People’s Champion” and “The Louisville Lip.”

 

And who can forget the epic fights Ali had with Joe Frazier over the many years? Those fights included the “Fight of the Century”, held in 1971 where Ali was undefeated )31-0, 25 KOs) as well as Frazier (26-0, 23 KOs). It was the first time that two undefeated boxers fought each other for the heavyweight title.

 

Frazier won the battle which led to “Superfight II” in 1974 at Madison Square Garden. Ali was a slight favorite to win and did by a unanimous decision.

 

Then came the epic battle called, “Thrilla in Manila” which turned out to be the last battle between the two rivals and set place in Manila, Philippines in 1975.

 

Frazier, nicknamed “Smokin’ Joe” held a 32-2 record at that time while Ali was 48-2. The fight met it’s hype and after 14 rounds, Ali was declared the winner by TKO.

 

By 1981, Ali retired from boxing and by 1984 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome. By 2003, he lost most of his ability to speak.

 

Hard to imagine for a man who was known for his provocative and outlandish repertoire of speech.

 

Ali has given me (and obviously many others) many great memories of their lives as did Prince, Doris Roberts, Glenn Frey, David Bowie and others.

 

Muhammad Ali once said, “I hated every minute of training, but I said, Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”

 

Those are words to live by from someone who did.

 

But life goes on, So — sing as well.” Joyce Grenfell, actress and writer (1910 – 1979).