Ali

[kelman]

A question regarding sport and health.

If you were Muhummad Ali, whom many believe is the greatest sporsperson ever to live (that is the people who never saw Carey play), would you give back all the fame, all the amazing battles, the influence that you had on the world, and most importantly your place in history, if it meant you never boxed, and thus never got parkinson's disease.

would you accept a healthy life from birth to death at the price of all your glory, or would you rather have the accomplishments, in exchange for a third of your life being afflicted by a debailitating disease.

I have had this debate with a few mates whileplaying pool. Most said they would keep Ali's life, but i say that i would give it all back.

Thoughts?

 

[Dynamo]

Perhaps the same question could be asked of Michael J Fox who never boxed but still has Parkinsons disease.

 

[Mooster7]

I'd take the boxing. We all have to go sometime, and there are worse things than Parkinsons. Who's to say what the doctor might find in our next check up? Had Ali not got into boxing, he may not have been influenced to become a Muslim, and he may have got his can shot off in Viet Nam. Or he may still have refused to go, but (without money or celebrity status) landed a large prison term.

With a different life, anything could have happened. He may have been hit by a bus in Louisville Kentucky because he wasn't in Manilla having a fight.

I've seen interviews with him, and from what I understand he is perfectly happy. He still gets around, corresponds and is participates in many charities and other activities. If he wouldn't trade his life, I'm not going to argue with him. Peace,

Mooster

PS I think his Parkinsons is only hypothetically linked to his boxing. He may have been genetically destined to suffer from it anyway.

 

[Nic]

No, I wouldn't. And Ali himself has said he wouldn't.

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

carey the greatest sportsman ever? lol. who you kidding.
cheers!

 

[Squeak]

I think being portrayed in a movie by Will Smith would be enough to convince me that I made the right choices in life.

 

[windyhill]

Mate he lived a life we would all kill for. Bring on The Parko`s,who knows it was boxing that brought it on ?

 

[jod23]

I wouldnt give it back....in 100 years you will still be remembered...i wont be remembered in a 100 years...not even by my own family...i dont remember my great great grandfather etc??

He has a place in history, something everybody im sure would love.

 

[Smokin]

Parkinsons is a disease.

Hence, many people in this world suffer from it - 99% of which never boxed!