by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali whom the World Boxing Council refers to as the “King of Boxing” is “feeling considerably better and on the mend” according to his daughter and former undefeated female champion Laila Ali who ended her career as a world super middleweight champion with a record of 24-0 with 21 knockouts following a 1st round TKO over Gwendolyn O’ Neil in South Africa on February 3, 2007.
Muhammad Ali who is regarded as the “Greatest” figured in the epic “Thrilla in Manila” in which he scored a 14th round TKO over Joe Frazier on October 1, 1975 at the Araneta Coliseum, himself quit the sport after dropping a unanimous ten round decision to Trevor Berbick in the Bahamas on December 11, 1981. Ali had a ring record of 56-5 with 37 knockouts.
The WBC quoted Laila who said her Dad is “well on the way to recovery from pneumonia which was diagnosed early and promptly plus effectively treated at the hospital” in Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
The WBC reported that “due to a prudently monitored and strong recovery Ali could soon be discharged from hospital where he’s been confined since December 21 and allowed to go home.”
The early detection of this health issue combined with immediate admission to the hospital greatly facilitated his recovery which has gone well and without complications.
Laila Ali said “I have been receiving multiple positive messages fron his many fans and friends. My Dad is recovering well and we thank everyone for their goodwill and positive thoughts.”
