When Boxing and Show Business stood and saluted The Greatest 

 By Mauricio Sulaimán

One of the most wondrous and memorable tributes that Muhammad Ali received took place on May 18, 1985 and was presented by Don José, who was one of his best friends.

The event took place at the luxurious, Beverly Wilshire Hotel, located in the heart of the famous Beverly Hills, one of the luxury suburbs of Los Angeles, California.

A great scenario to recognize his legacy, some of the attendees were, in addition to Ali’s family, were Los Angeles Mayor, Mr. Tom Bradley, flanked by  legends Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, the recently deceased icon Marvin Hagler, Ken Norton, Jersey Joe Walcott and promoter Don King.

On that glittering occasion, my father invited many important people from both Hollywood and boxing industries, of course, among Muhammad’s relatives. We were introduced to a remarkable young woman, who over the years would also become a world champion, the formidable Laila Ali.

Among the attendees there were also important figures of Mexican journalism; including the unforgettable Jorge “Sonny” Alarcon and Antonio Andere.

On the stage, a beautiful woman who sang an amazing song, moving everyone, who was asked to continue inspiring us. We are talking about none other than Natalie Cole, daughter of another all time great,  Nat King Cole.

There were people from various countries including some Asian and European promoters.

US President Ronald Reagan sent a video with emotional words full of admiration for Ali and ended his speech by saying that “The world will never forget that he will forever be the one who flloats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.”

Mayor Bradley took the microphone and said, “I name this date as Muhammad Ali Day”, adding a special highlight to this extraordinary recognition ceremony.

Of course, there were great Mexican boxing representatives, one of them bran new super featherweight champion who precisely got the belt in Los Angeles, Julio César Chavez, who subsequently would earn his vaunted  place as boxing legend.

This chapter is one of the stellar moments that Don José experienced. There were others, before and after to honor the greatest of all times, but none quite like this. And finally one of the last ones with Ali being crowned as “King of Boxing” many years after that night, where he was crowned by my dad at one of our conventions in Cancun. Two of the contemporary boxing superstars Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Vitali Klitschko were also there.