Honour the Greatest: thousands sign petition to give Muhammad Ali a knighthood

Campaign gets heavyweight backing ahead of legend's visit to open exhibition
High-profile names are calling for Muhammad Ali to be knighted
Getty

Some of the biggest names in sport, politics and showbusiness today united in calling for Muhammad Ali to receive an honorary knighthood.

Mayor Boris Johnson, Olympic boxing champions Anthony Joshua and Nicola Adams, and Hollywood star Luke Evans are among those demanding Britain honours the sportsman known as “The Greatest”.

Ali is due in London within days to open a major exhibition into his life and 12,000 have already signed a Change.org petition set up by ex-world heavyweight champion David Haye calling for Britain to formally recognise him.

Ali thrilled millions during a career that transformed boxing and transcended sport.

His quick wit, struggle against discrimination and refusal to fight in the Vietnam war ensured he became an icon.

London Olympics gold medalist Joshua, himself bidding to win the world heavyweight title, said: “What makes Ali such a role model is the battles he had to go through He was fighting through the civil rights movement. He was more than just a boxer, he was a leader for many people.”

Evans added: “Muhammad Ali was not just an incredible athlete, he was is inspiration.

Muhammad Ali - In pictures

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"He was an incredible fighter but also a fantastic personality away from the ring. He was at the height of his fame during a critical period of US history, helping the civil rights movement and being a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War. Huge issues he faced with dignity and respect.”

“What better way to honour him than with an honorary knighthood on what could be his last ever visit to the UK?”

Boxer David Haye supports the petition

Mr Johnson said: “As a child, bashing the top of an old ropey black and white telly, I would sit mesmerised by grainy images of a hero who seemed to float above his opponents: the grace, guile, speed of hand.

"From race relations to religious freedom, he fought tireless and principled struggles all his life. I can’t think of a more fitting recipient of an honorary knighthood.”

Previous non-UK nationals to have received the honour include Terry Wogan, Bob Geldof, Bono, Steven Spielberg and Kevin Spacey. But Ali, now 74 and showing the effects of a battle with Parkinson’s disease, would be the first boxer.

The O2’s I Am The Greatest show, opening March 4 will tell his story.

Nicola Adams is another famous sporting figure supporting the campaign
Alex Lentati

After winning Olympic gold in 1960, Ali became world heavyweight boxing champion three times, in 1964, 1974 — the famous “Rumble in the Jungle” with George Foreman — and 1978.

When he refused to fight in Vietnam he was arrested, stripped of his titles and exiled from boxing for three years. But he fought his way back to being heavyweight champion.

Haye said: “Ali turned boxing into an entertainment sport. He is a poet, he is a prophet. He used to predict what round he would beat his opponent in.

“This is at a time in America when most black people would just keep their mouth shut. He was ruffling feathers.”

London Olympics star Nicola Adams said watching videos of Ali’s victory at the 1960 Rome Games spurred her on: “If it wasn’t for me seeing him box I may never have started and I wouldn’t have won Great Britain’s first women’s Olympic gold medal in boxing.”

Nominations for knighthoods are considered by a Whitehall committee, who then make recommendations to No 10 before being passed on to the Queen.

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