The Charm Joshua Needs From Ali

By Kunle Awosiyan

In my years of fraternity with boxing, I have come to a conclusion that what made Mohammad Ali the greatest goes beyond skills, it encompasses his charm.

Of course he is one the gifted boxers, his charming life created a deep and wide gully that separated him from other boxers.

A few boxers have emulated his style, they all lacked his charm, oration and activism in the religious and political circle.

Where his unique style and skills had failed, Ali’s charm had propelled his boxing beyond the ring.

He carried his faith across the world and spoke so loud in his activism against oppression and racism.

No one, including those who came before him like Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano had charmed the boxing fraternity like Ali. The only boxer that conquered opponents and boxing itself.

It was he who raised the bar for a boxer’s purse, the media hype and elitism of the game called boxing.

He was not the strongest nor the richest but the most handsome and durable of his era. Ali’s charm hypnotised us all.

Ali turned the ring to pulpit and podium to preach and to speak; to taunt his opponents and motivate his fans with words and jabs. He created drama out of boxing. He gave us the study of arts and science at the same time in a sport of blood and sweat.

Lion is a beautiful animal, yet very dangerous just as Ali was handsome and dangerous in the ring. He was outspoken, yet he chose his words. His tongue was kissable, yet caustic. Ali looked fragile and tender, yet he was so tough in the skin. He was not built to break. He was a brave man.

Larry Holmes sparred with Ali and learnt the culture of his mentor. He went on to beat Ali but lacked the charm to win the hearts of many fans. In Holmes’ victory, Ali was praised for coming out to fight at old age amid Parkinson disease.

Joe Frazier became popular because he first beat Ali but his fame disappeared in the face of a charming champion. In Frazier’s victory, it was Ali who made the headline because of his charm and oration that he would return to take the belt. He did in style and his ovation became louder.

Mike Tyson never met Ali in the ring but his domineering style fascinated him to the world. He was charmy too but not like Ali.

Unlike Ali, Tyson never won any of his big fights, against Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis but his charming life has continued to make him relevant in the boxing circle. Tyson is a regular face on many podcasts for master’s class and motivational speaking because of his charm. He is more loved for turning his failures to successes.

Who will wear their shoes? I guess Anthony Joshua. He is the charmest of the present heavyweight. Despite losing three of his bouts, most podcasters still want him as guest.

The media run after Joshua after four straight wins. They want to know about his family and love life. The media want Joshua after boxing, the new endorsement he had obtained.

Joshua is a combination of physique and good communication skills. He hardly utters gutter language unlike most boxers. Joshua is a delight for podcasters. He does not only increase their traction, Joshua’s words are laced with wisdom.

Oleksandr Usyk is another reserved boxer but his inability to speak English Language fluently is a shortcoming. I think Joshua has identified these attributes in himself and may be turning it to an asset in the nearest future.

If he can do this with his new found skills, he may be climbing the ladder of hall of fame as one of the boxing greats.

This is the time for him to maximise his charm and like Ali, he is closer to God as I have seen him praying before boxing, the virtue that made Ali within and outside the ring.