British former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and George Foreman were two of 350 guests as a celebration dinner Saturday night in Louisville to celebrate boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday. 

Lennox said: “Muhammad Ali inspired me, from when I was a young boy growing up, he motivated me to chase my dreams inside and out of the ring. I admired the fact that he was concerned about people, enough to oppose the war in Vietnam and young men going there to fight. He is a religious man and he captured my attention because he was always helpful to people”.

Foreman mentioned that “there should be a Muhammad Ali Day in America, because he will go down as one of the great American heroes.” Foreman is notorious for his epic duel with Ali during the seventies. Former US president Bill Clinton said Ali’s talent, charisma and strong principals were responsible for raising the popularity of the sport across the world. 

Ali was truly one of the greatest of all time, giving all young boys an idol and inspiring many to head to the local boxing gym and start hitting the pads. It is rare for an exceptional  athlete to also be an excellent role model outside of the sport as well. 

David Haye, who won the WBA heavyweight crown in 2009, aptly summed up his thoughts on Ali by saying: “I believe he is the world’s greatest ever athlete bar none.”

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