DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO/FILE: BOXING: Boxer Muhammed Ali's daughter Khaliah Ali on humanitarian mission to DRC.

Record ID: 677917

  • Title: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO/FILE: BOXING: Boxer Muhammed Ali's daughter Khaliah Ali on humanitarian mission to DRC.
  • Date: 31st October 2009
  • Summary: MIDDLE OF THE PITCH, MUHAMMAD ALI'S BOXING RING AREA MARKED BY WOODEN POSTS KHALIAH ALI AND ASSISTANT WALKING UP TO WHERE THE RING WAS (SOUNDBITE) (English) NOELLA MUSUNKA, ASSISTANT TO KHALIAH ALI, SAYING: "So here it was where the ring was, your father came in the ring here, this is historical." (SOUNDBITE) (English) KHALIAH ALI, SAYING: "I came here on a humanitarian effort, honestly, first. It was a gift that the 35th anniversary was occurring now, but also an opportunity to bring attention to so many people's needs, that should be addressed and concerns that are not only theirs but mine too." KHALIAH ALI POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS KHALIAH ALI NEXT TO POSTER OF MUHAMMAD ALI'S FIGHT
  • Embargoed: 15th November 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAAZJLLAKVI8TMJNJXY23WVDULS
  • Story Text: Boxing icon Muhammad Ali's daughter Khaliah on a humanitarian mission to Congo, says visiting the stadium where Ali won the memorable 'Rumble in the Jungle' fight, brought her "full circle" with her father.

    It was back in 1974 years ago when people around this stadium in DR Congo's capital Kinshasa witnessed one of the most memorable boxing fights of their lives, as legendary boxing icon Muhammad Ali and George Foreman 'rumbled in the jungle'.

    But 35 years on, and Muhammad Ali's daughter Khalia Ali, came for a tour of the Rafael stadium, where her father won one of the biggest moments in boxing history, with an eighth-round knock-out over Foreman.

    Standing in her father's old dressing room, fashion expert Khalia Ali was overcome with emotion, and said it was an experience that brought her even closer to her father.

    "For me it was completing a personal journey, to come here and to see the boxers, who out of absolute honour and commitment live in his dressing room, the one he was in 35 years ago. To come to the stadium really allows me to feel full circle with my father," Khalia Ali said.

    Ali, who arrived in Congo earlier this week, was shown the four wooden posters marking the spot where the ring had been three decades ago.

    It's the first time any of Muhammad Ali's family members visit Congo. She went to see UNICEF and World Food Programme projects in Lubumbashi, the capital of DR Congo's Katanga Province, where she talked to local people as part of her humanitarian mission to the country.

    "I came here on a humanitarian effort, honestly, first. It was a gift that the 35th anniversary was occurring now, but also an opportunity to bring attention to so many people's needs, that should be addressed and concerns that are not only theirs but mine too," Khalia Ali said.

    Khalia Ali was due to attend a gala-fight in Kinshasa later on Friday, as a guest of honour.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register