Putting Muhammad Ali’s Legacy to Work

One might wonder why the president of Turkey would fly halfway around the world to attend the funeral of an American boxer. The answer is simple: I will pay my respects to Muhammad Ali on behalf of the Turkish people because his extraordinary story must not end here. By putting his ideals into practice, world leaders can address many persistent problems.

Muhammad Ali was an exceptional athlete and a remarkable human being. For many a sleepless night in the 1970s, I was one of countless people in Turkey who would get up in the wee hours to watch the Louisville Lip’s fights. Ali had become such an awe-inspiring figure by then that entire families would talk about professional boxing over hot tea and pastries and review the champ’s matches with friends and colleagues over the following days. The excitement was so palpable that a Turkish folk singer released a popular single to immortalize the "Rumble in the Jungle," Ali's title match against George Foreman in 1974, and hail the People’s Champion as the hero of oppressed people everywhere.