Plenty of deserving superlatives were thrown Muhammad Ali's way yesterday following his death at age 74. Boxing legend, civil-rights maverick, brilliant orator. But one that might have been left out, is that the three-time world champion was also a pretty impressive troll.
Speaking in an interview to the BBC, sports commentator Ronnie Nathanielsz, who was assigned to act as the Philippine government liaison to Ali, recalled an anecdote around the time of the Thriller in Manila, in which he and Ali had dinner with three female British models in Manila.
"There was a dinner hosted by Nene Araneta, the owner of the Coliseum, and there Ali met three beautiful models from England.
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"And they invited him to come over to his room after the dinner."
Ali, told Nathanielsz to come to his suite later on so the two could go visit the women. And they did.
"[In the womens' room] He asked for orange juice, sat down on the sofa and he preached about Islam until three o'clock in the morning.
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"And then when we got out of the room, and went to his suite, he said 'I fooled them, didn't I?'"
This particular story is only further proof that Muhammad Ali was, at least in my opinion, the greatest wit in sporting history.
Imagine not just turning down three models inviting you to their hotel rooms after a great meal, but then chatting shit about religion to them for hours on end.
RIP, the GOAT - in more ways than one.
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Words by Josh Teal
Featured image: Getty
Featured Image Credit:Topics: muhammad ali
