05/02/2022
'I knew Ali had a good jab but he was a different type of boxer and as far as me learning anything from him, I learned a whole lot. As far as technical skills like sitting on punches and boxing, I already knew a lot of that. Being around him really put the icing on the cake about me trying to be a champion. Being around Muhammad Ali really enhanced everything that I was doing. Here I am, a young kid, nobody knew who I was, getting the opportunity to be with the greatest of all time. How many people would love to be around that?' - Tim Witherspoon
July 1986 - Basildon, Essex UK
Muhammad Ali pays a visit to former sparring partner, 'Terrible' Tim Witherspoon's training camp ahead of his WBA Heavyweight World Title defence against Frank Bruno on the 19th July 1986.
Upon hearing Ali would be making a visit, Don King arranged a barbecue for the former Champion. Witherspoon went on to successfully defend his title by scoring an 11th round stoppage victory.
Outraged by seeing their hometown hero defeated, pockets of rioting broke out among the hoards of fans, who pelted Witherspoon and his entourage with bottles and chairs as they made their way back to the dressing room.
Once Witherspoon was inside the dressing room, angry rioters attempted to break the door down but Muhammad Ali stepped in and intervened. Witherspoon would later recount the incident;
'My dressing room was right near this big door and the English people was breaking the door down and Iâd have said another fifteen bangs and they would of rushed in and got us, but Ali came to the front and told the security guys to open the door and they did it.
They didnât move, people stopped right there, they wouldnât even come through the door. Ali told them to leave and none of them came through that door. There had to be 3,000 people back there trying to knock the door down. Ali saved us.'