Long before Muhammad Ali died last Friday at age 74, England's David Haye, a former heavyweight world titleholder and the former cruiserweight champion, was campaigning to secure honorary knighthood for "The Greatest."
After Ali's death, Haye is continuing to make the case.
"We lost a Legend, a true global icon -- phrases I don't use lightly. Muhammad Ali transcended the world of boxing, inspiring so many, including me, to believe impossible is nothing," Haye said on Thursday. "Like millions of others around the world, Muhammad Ali is a hero of mine and inspired me to box. Add to this his humanitarian work over many years, which had a huge impact across the world, I couldn't think of a more fitting person to be granted an honorary knighthood.
"The current laws do not allow for a posthumous knighthood, but Ali throughout his career challenged what was deemed possible, so it's quite fitting that current rules should be reviewed for the greatest of all time."
Haye said his campaign has received support from a number of British celebrities, as well as top British boxers, such as Anthony Joshua, Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn.
"Although Muhammad was not well enough to travel to the U.K., as planned earlier this year, I met with his wife, Lonnie, who said what an honor the award, from a country he so loved, would mean to him," Haye said. "With such huge public demand and support from his family, I truly hope we can make this happen."
Honorary knighthoods are to recognize non-British citizens who have made major contributions to England and its well-being.
"I believe Muhammad Ali is the perfect recipient," Haye said. "Whilst it is a huge shame this did not happen when he was alive, to award it posthumously in honor of the incredible legacy he leaves would be perfectly fitting."
Ali fought in England three times. In the bout before he won the heavyweight title for the first time, Ali delivered a fifth-round knockout of Henry Cooper in London in 1963. He also made two title defenses in a row in London, stopping Cooper in the sixth round of their 1966 rematch, followed by a third-round knockout of Brian London later that year.
Article courtesy of ESPN
After Ali's death, Haye is continuing to make the case.
"We lost a Legend, a true global icon -- phrases I don't use lightly. Muhammad Ali transcended the world of boxing, inspiring so many, including me, to believe impossible is nothing," Haye said on Thursday. "Like millions of others around the world, Muhammad Ali is a hero of mine and inspired me to box. Add to this his humanitarian work over many years, which had a huge impact across the world, I couldn't think of a more fitting person to be granted an honorary knighthood.
"The current laws do not allow for a posthumous knighthood, but Ali throughout his career challenged what was deemed possible, so it's quite fitting that current rules should be reviewed for the greatest of all time."
Haye said his campaign has received support from a number of British celebrities, as well as top British boxers, such as Anthony Joshua, Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn.
"Although Muhammad was not well enough to travel to the U.K., as planned earlier this year, I met with his wife, Lonnie, who said what an honor the award, from a country he so loved, would mean to him," Haye said. "With such huge public demand and support from his family, I truly hope we can make this happen."
Honorary knighthoods are to recognize non-British citizens who have made major contributions to England and its well-being.
"I believe Muhammad Ali is the perfect recipient," Haye said. "Whilst it is a huge shame this did not happen when he was alive, to award it posthumously in honor of the incredible legacy he leaves would be perfectly fitting."
Ali fought in England three times. In the bout before he won the heavyweight title for the first time, Ali delivered a fifth-round knockout of Henry Cooper in London in 1963. He also made two title defenses in a row in London, stopping Cooper in the sixth round of their 1966 rematch, followed by a third-round knockout of Brian London later that year.
Article courtesy of ESPN
