He was the people's champion

 South Africans have paid a moving tribute to the late former heavyweight world champion Muhammad Ali, who has died aged 74.

The charismatic pugilist, known as much for his civil rights activism as his boxing brilliance, triggered a worldwide outpouring of affection and admiration following his passing.
Boxing SA chairwoman Muditambi Ravele said: "Ali inspired young men and women in this country to use boxing to uplift themselves.
"Like Nelson Mandela, Ali chose to sacrifice all in the name of principle and liberation. He refused to go to war in Vietnam in 1967, was arrested, convicted and stripped of his heavyweight title. This single act made him a citizen of the world and he emerged from jail a world leader and a people's champion - very much like Tata Mandela."
Stan Christodoulou - who officiated the tournament where Ali regained his world title from Leon Spinks in New Orleans in September 1978 - said: "I gave Ali an Old Buck Belt when he came here in 1993, but he would not take it because it was associated with alcohol. Ali was like family to me. I dined with him and he gave me advice. Words cannot explain how much boxing has lost ."
Former world champion Dingaan Thobela said: "The world has lost an icon who contributed enormously in uniting black and white people around the globe. He inspired me to become a boxer. People like him come once in a lifetime."
Retired trainer Nick Durandt said: "I met Ali on eight occasions. He had time for everybody in boxing. He paved the road for many fighters in the world."

 

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