|
|
|
| Sunday, 31 July 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Muhammad Ali : Boxing all the way
Cassius Clay, who used his birth name until he became a Muslim in 1964, grew up in a quiet black neighbourhood of Louisville, Kentucky in USA. He was a popular student in high school, where his stunning self-confidence made him noteworthy even then. He had been focused on boxing since he was twelve and trained with the single-mindedness of a future champion. He started boxing at the amateur level in his hometown and captured the AAU and Golden Gloves titles in 1959 and 1960. He competed in the 1960 Olympics in Rome, where he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division. Ali first boxed professionally in 1960, at the age of eighteen, with a win, over a boxer named Tunney Hunsaker. In subsequent early bouts, it was quickly apparent that Ali possessed unbelievable hand and foot speed for someone his size. As he developed, he displayed a stinging jab and a strong right hand. The young fighter's knack for self-promotion nearly rivalled his ring skills. He posed for the cameras, talked in rhymes, and boasted that he was not only the greatest, but also the prettiest of all time. Ali proved over and over, with great talent and boxing intelligence, that he was much more than an entertaining fighter. In 1961, Ali knocked out Alex Miteff, who had been considered a top contender the previous year. In 1962 and 1963, he defeated such powerful adversaries as George Logan, Billy Daniels, Archie Moore, Doug Jones and Henry Cooper. Having emerged as the top heavyweight contender, Ali faced the formidable Sonny Liston for the world championship in 1964. Many observers gave Ali little chance against Liston, but Ali dominated the fight. After the victory, Ali announced that he had become a member of the Nation of Islam, the Black Muslim movement, and had changed his name. Ali's conversion upset some fans. It cost him some popularity and probably, though never acknowledged, influenced his future as a titleholder. When Ali agreed to give Liston a return match, the World Boxing Association (WBA) took the title away because the rematch contract was a violation of WBA rules. Ali continued to be outspoken, particularly in statements against the Vietnam War. In his second fight with Liston, Ali triumphed in one round, with the rematch attracting a lot of controversy. After flooring Liston, Ali did not immediately move to a neutral corner. Liston eventually rose from the canvas and the fight resumed. Ali's refusal, on religious grounds, to accept induction into the armed forces caused him to be stripped of his undisputed world title in 1967. Furthermore, Ali faced imprisonment for his action and was barred from boxing while his case was being heard. He called himself 'The People's Champion' and continued to be recognized as the world heavyweight titleholder in Great Britain and Japan. Ultimately, in June 1971, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Ali's favour, after he returned to the ring in an October 1970 conquest over Jerry Quarry. In his last fights before his banishment, Ali reclaimed the heavyweight championship in 1974 when he knocked out the previously unbeaten George Foreman. Ali lost his title to the unproven Leon Spinks in 1978, but reclaimed it in the rematch later the same year. He then announced his retirement only to make ill-fated comeback attempts against Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick. Plagued by ill health in retirement, Ali remains a respected public figure. He has been blessed to meet with important dignitaries, including President Clinton, Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, and Pope John Paul II. He usually travels 275 days of the year. Although he enjoys his missionary work and public appearances, Ali's greatest pleasure is when he is at home in Berrien Springs, Michigan with his family, wife Yolanda and his adopted son Asaad Amin.His daughter, Laila Ali is also a professional boxer. According to Kim Forburger, Ali's assistant, "He's the only man I know about whom the kids come to the gate and say 'Can Muhammad come out and play?" ############## Anne Frank : Writer of one of the most famous diaries
She had a sister Margot, who was three years older than her. She was in the Netherlands at the time she celebrated her 13th birthday. On that day, she received the best present anyone could give her...a diary. Anne had dreams of becoming a writer, and was delighted with her gift. Instead of writing "Dear Diary", like anyone else would, she named her diary. She wrote to 'Kitty'...as she called her diary. On the first page of her diary she wrote "I hope I shall be able to confide in you completely, as I have never been able to do in anyone before, and I hope that you will be a great support and comfort to me." She continued writing in her diary which she maintained for over two years. That diary became one of the most published books ever, and has been translated into over 60 different languages. Anne had many friends in the Netherlands, and she played with them every day. Her friends and she played pranks on other residents, like pouring water on their heads from a building above. Then Hitler and the Nazis invaded and took over the Netherlands. The Jews had to wear a special star, so everyone could see who they were, and they had new rules to live by. They weren't allowed to do much of anything that they used to do. They even had a curfew. The Frank family continued with their lives until Margot was ordered to go to a concentration camp. The family went into hiding in the attic above father Otto Frank's office. They had friends bring them food and keep them hidden. They didn't want anyone to find them, so they had to keep extra quiet. It was also very crowded. In the attic Anne mostly wrote in her diary. They had to keep the windows blacked out; their only sunlight was a skylight that Anne would spend hours looking out of. She hated being trapped in that small space. Anne spent a lot of time with Peter Van Pel, a boy who was in hiding with her. They became very close. The last entry Anne wrote in her diary was on August 1, 1944. Three days after this was written, the German police found their hiding place, and they were taken to concentration camps. The diary was left behind. Margot and she were forced to do horrible jobs, such as smashing batteries. The acid burnt her fingers. About one month before the Jews were freed, Anne died of typhus. Anne Frank is remembered in many ways. Many books have been written about her, and plays and movies tell her story. While she was in hiding, she kept writing in her diary because she wanted to be educated. Her father Otto kept her diary, and two years after she died, in 1947, her father published it, unchanged. In 1959, a movie was filmed about her diary. In her short life, she was able to write short stories and some short fables. She is remembered most for her diary that has been published in over 30 languages. Many children all over America read the 'Diary of Anne Frank' in school. |
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
In all of boxing history, Muhammad Ali stands alone. Ali had also
become the best-known athlete in the world and, very possibly, the best
loved as well. 
Have you ever heard of Anne Frank, the Jewish girl who became famous
because of her diary? Anne Frank was born on June 12, 1929 in Germany and
lived during the time Hitler was ruling the country. Her family escaped to
the Netherlands, to start a new life where they could do what they wanted.