Perhaps some comfort can be taken from the outpouring of heartfelt, almost universally positive tributes to the great Muhammad Ali, who passed away last night aged 74.
As is often the case, Ali's death reminds us of his sheer greatness, and the impact he made across the globe not just as a boxer but as a man.
His departure has spawned some incredibly good pieces of writing from journalists who covered his legendary clashes in the likes of the Philippines and Zaire, befriending him along the way. One man who got to know Ali from the other side of the ropes was the all-conquering 'Big' George Foreman, who fell to the 49-1 underdog in Africa in 1974, and whose name will thus forever be inextricably linked with that of his dearly cherished friend.
Speaking to Fox News, Formean, now 67, declared that a description of Ali as the greatest boxer of all time was virtually a put-down to a man of such magnitude and global appeal.
Until Ali no one said "I'm beautiful" he was royalty, yet common man was his pal. That is beauty. Greatest kind pic.twitter.com/uX7htKHrGc
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) June 4, 2016
Ali, Frazier & Foreman we were 1 guy a part of me slipped away "the greatest piece" Muhammad Ali.
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) June 4, 2016
Hana Ali & the whole family, my heart goes out you. Muhammad Ali has been a fine man. That will never die. pic.twitter.com/3L5HK0zPCb
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) June 4, 2016
When we were Kings for sure, Academy Awards
My dearest friend and me pic.twitter.com/VwTfi5WLEg— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) June 4, 2016
On the off-chance you're unfamiliar with the pair's historic Rumble In The Jungle, you can catch the best bits below:
