For Rasheda Ali, this week’s World Boxing Super Series super-middleweight final carries extra significance.
Not only does the culmination of the inaugural event offer George Groves and Callum Smith the opportunity to lift the Muhammad Ali Trophy, the award named after her father. But the bout, the first of its kind, takes place this Friday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, close to Makkah, the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammed and centre of the Islam faith that shaped much of her father's life.
One of the greatest sportsmen in history, a three-time world heavyweight champion, Muhammad Ali travelled to Makkah to perform Hajj in 1972. He championed Islam throughout his career and later life. Little wonder, then, that this week matters much to his family.
"It means the world," Rasheda Ali tells The National at Jeddah's Radisson Blu Al Salam hotel, smiling at a huge poster bearing her father's image. "Because without Islam my dad wouldn't be who he is.
“He brought so much love and joy to all of us, but for his Muslim brothers and sisters, he made them feel proud of who they were and proud of their faith. My dad did that. And so when you come to a wonderful country, an hour away from Makkah, the city of Jeddah, where you have people who love and respect his life and legacy, and revere him as a man, an embodiment of peace and love, it just brings joy to my eyes.
“To come here to this Muslim country, celebrating the World Series with my dad’s trophy, at the centre of the boxing finals. It’s just a wonderful experience.”
Raseha Ali believes the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) sustains her father’s legacy of bringing boxing to new territories. The event marks the first time the Middle East has hosted a fight of this magnitude, as world champion Groves takes on undefeated WBC Diamond title-holder Smith at King Abdullah Sports City.
It reminds Rasheda Ali of her father’s two most-acclaimed fights: the "Rumble in the Jungle" and the "Thrilla in Manila", against George Foreman and Joe Frazier respectively, staged in DR Congo - then Zaire - and the Philippines during the 1970s. Comfortably considered the two most legendary bouts in boxing history, they opened Africa and Asia to the sport.
Much like the WBSS promoters, Rasheda Ali hopes this week's event can have a similar impact on the region.
“This definitely continues his legacy,” she says. “When you go all through all of Europe and the Middle East, of course soccer is the favourite sport. But I’m excited to see that maybe boxing can gain a little traction here and all across the globe. That’s what my dad did.
“When he started boxing in the Unites States he inspired people who had never watched boxing. He introduced them to the sport. And I’m hoping, with my dad bearing this trophy, that people from all walks of life will embrace boxing again and welcome it into their homes.”
Visiting Saudi for the first time, Rasheda Ali plans to return to perform Hajj, just as her father almost 50 years ago. On Friday, she will present the winner of Groves-Smith with the trophy, something she says she is extremely proud to do.
“My dad would be so humbled and honoured that this trophy bears his name, because he really loved boxing and he loved champions,” she says. “Because he was a young boxer wanting to be heavyweight champion.
“And to see these boxers, as middleweight champions, vying for a trophy, questing the Muhammad Ali Trophy, and considering it an honour, would just bring tears to my dad’s eyes. He would be so pleased to see his face, because he was his own favourite subject. And to see his face embodying this room and then the stadium on Friday would give him so much joy.”
Muhammad Ali, who remains the most widely recognisable boxer in history almost 40 years since his retirement and two years after his death, visited the UAE, then the Trucial States, in 1969 before more making at least three more trips before 1986. In 1982, he was involved in three exhibition fights during an eight-day stay.
________________________________________________________________________________
Read: The ‘Greatest’ came and his age showed: When Muhammad Ali visited UAE in 1982
________________________________________________________________________________
“My dad had so many bouts all over the globe,” Rasheda Ali says. “I’m not surprised that he was there boxing: he travelled most of his life because he was revered all over the world. He was always on the plane, but he always doing something with his status and with his position. He was there, able to touch so many people’s lives.
“It’s magnificent to be able see that, even 30 years after his career ended, he still has relevance. Because he wasn’t just a boxer, he was a humanitarian, a civil-rights activist, and an ambassador of peace.
“He worked so hard to bring world peace through the sport of boxing and I think he was able to accomplish that. And, being here, it’s very warm and gratifying to know that his message is still alive.”
__________________
Read more:
How UAE fans can watch the George Groves-Callum Smith fight in Saudi Arabia on TV
Evander Holyfield says Anthony Joshua-Deontay Wilder 'would be a great fight'
George Groves: Winning in Saudi Arabia would be pinnacle of my career
WBSS super-middleweight final: Guide to Groves v Smith in Saudi Arabia
George Groves-Callum Smith title fight in Saudi Arabia will pave way for high-profile bouts in UAE, says promoter
Saudi Arabia to host Groves v Smith WBSS super-middleweight final
__________________
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More on Quran memorisation:
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The years Ramadan fell in May
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20101hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20135Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Six-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh79%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETuhoon%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYear%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFares%20Ghandour%2C%20Dr%20Naif%20Almutawa%2C%20Aymane%20Sennoussi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ehealth%20care%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E15%20employees%2C%20%24250%2C000%20in%20revenue%0D%3Cbr%3EI%3Cstrong%3Envestment%20stage%3A%20s%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWamda%20Capital%2C%20Nuwa%20Capital%2C%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Read more about the coronavirus
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More on Quran memorisation:
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
Recipe
Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo
Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Method
▶ Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.
▶ Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.
▶ Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking, remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.
▶ Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
Poacher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERichie%20Mehta%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nimisha%20Sajayan%2C%20Roshan%20Mathew%2C%20Dibyendu%20Bhattacharya%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
