Boxing Muhammad Ali Remembered As Junior World Championship of Boxing Hits MSG Saturday by Diane Quail June 10, 2016 Felix Verdejo (Peter Amador/Top Rank) “I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was. I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest,” said the late Muhammad Ali, but even the greatest can express fear. On the eve of Muhammad Ali’s funeral, Top Rank boxers along with Madison Square Garden’s staff and his promoter, Bob Arum shared there stories about Ali. George Kalinsky, Madison Square Garden’s head photographer developed a relationship with Ali that went beyond the ring. Kalinsky vividly remembers speaking to Ali a month before “The Rumble in the Jungle.” It was a moment where Ali went from being this superhero-like figure to someone who was scared. Ali called Kalinsky asking to meet him in private, so the two met inside a press box inside the Garden. “He said to me in one month I’m fighting George Foreman. He’s too big, he’s too fast, he’s too young and I don’t think I can beat him,” Kalinsky said of the conversation with Ali. “I said, you know Muhammad, you’ve been fighting your whole life in the ring and you’ve been training with your sparring partners with your back against the rope. I think if you go into the ring with your back against the ropes, you’ll eventually tire him out,” Kalinsky said. And the rest is history, Ali defeated Foreman in the legendary fight in 1974. Ali brought boxing to the international platform and paved the way for young boxers all over the world, including the boxers fighting Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. “Ali popularized boxing all over the world,” said Ali’s former promoter, Bob Arum. “It’s great that young people all over the world are participating in boxing.” Top Rank boxing is bringing The Junior World Championship of Boxing to The Garden this weekend. And boxers say, it’s an honor fighting just one day after the greatest boxer is laid to rest. Felix Verdejo, better known as the Pride of Puerto Rico will be fighting against Juan Jose Martinez Saturday night for the lightweight championship. And Verdejo says fighting where Ali fought eight times is a true honor. Verdejo says, “I am fighting for Muhammad Ali in his honor and it will be a great fight.” Post Views: 1,482 The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest Posts Diane Quail Diane is a Staff Writer here at DoubleGSports.com Latest posts by Diane Quail (see all) #SportsRants with Diane Quail: Yankees add Stanton, and nothing else? What gives?! - February 12, 2018 AL Wild Card Preview: Yankees host Minnesota Twins - October 3, 2017 Why Aaron Judge SHOULD be the AL MVP - September 30, 2017 Rutgers Keeps Things Light in Spring Game - April 23, 2017 Related TopicsBob ArumBoxingFelix VerdejoGeorge KalinskyJuan Jose MartinezJunior World Championship of BoxingMadison Square GardenMuhammad AliTop Rank Click to comment You must be logged in to post a comment Login Leave a Reply Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment. Newsletter Subscription Can't Miss Posts! Women in Sports: NHL Network Host, Jackie Redmond by Nicholas Durst | posted on March 4, 2019 Lochte, Dressel and Ledecky all Chasing Gold at 2021 Tokyo Olympics by Anthony Paradiso | posted on April 18, 2021 You Know I’m Right, Episode 109: The Athletic’s Marc Carig (Audio/Video) by Nicholas Durst | posted on April 19, 2021 Michael Jordan Could Change the Future of Nascar for the Better by Inesh Chari | posted on March 30, 2021 You Know I’m Right, Episode 106: Newsday’s Neil Best (Audio/Video) by Nicholas Durst | posted on April 12, 2021 More in Boxing The Mockery of A Sport: Paul vs. Askren Jake Paul and Ben Askren are set to fight tonight, and as a fan... Poirier McGregor Trilogy Is a Hot Ticket but is the Donation Beef a Show? Before UFC 257, Conor McGregor predicted that he would win the fight, but more... The Paul Brothers are Bad for Combat Sports Obviously this is just my opinion, but with Jake Paul and Logan Paul getting... Floyd Mayweather Set to Square Up Against Logan Paul The richest athlete in the world is about to add to his north of... MLB Draft: New Jersey’s Shore Conference Shines in First Round Races continue at Monmouth Park