News that an exhibition dedicated to the great man is opening today at the O2, calls to mind his first product-endorsement tour of the UK.
Back in 1971, Ali agreed to work for a week promoting Ovaltine via an extended train trip around the UK, stopping at every station that was near a supermarket, inviting the local managers on board to meet the champ and disembark at the next station, inspired for life, in many cases.
We even managed to secure an interview on the new Michael Parkinson TV chat show, an episode that has been repeated many times since.
To our surprise, we found Ali to be a modest, even shy man, with immense presence, whose can-do attitude proved to be an inspiration personally and to other members of the team.
As fans will know, because of illness, Muhammed Ali will not be able to attend the opening session, but he has sent a mock-epilogue to commemorate the event:
'I would like to be remembered as a man who won the heavyweight title three times.
Who was humorous and who treated everyone right.
As a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him.
And who helped as many people as he could.
As a man who stood up for his beliefs no matter what.
As a man who tried to unite all humankind through faith and love.
And if all that's too much then I guess I'd settle for being remembered only as a great boxer who became a leader and a champion of his people.
And I wouldn't even mind if folks forgot how pretty I was.
Be cool and look out for the ladies!'
