FLASHBACK – Naved Jafri

Producer Naved Jafri on meeting heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali

This picture was taken in 1981. I was 13 years old and accompanied dad on a trip to Abu Dhabi. The Sheikh had organised a fundraiser in order to build mosques in the area. The chief guest for the night was former American professional boxer Muhammad Ali, whom I was excited to meet.

Bollywood celebrities like Rishi Kapoor and Asha Sachdev were there to attend the event as well. For entertainment’s sake, my father and Ali had a friendly match. It was hilarious to see my dad and the heavyweight boxing champion, who stood at 6 ft 3 in, in the same ring.

For comic effect, dad even scampered around as Ali pretended to pound him. The crowd seemed to love it and everyone was cheering. After the fundraiser, which was a great success, a bunch of us went out for dinner with Ali. It was an elaborate dinner in a five star hotel. But one thing that struck me about that night was Ali’s sharp sense of humour.

When saying our goodbyes, he shook my hand. It was an impressive handshake, especially since his hand was three times the size of my little fist.

source: http://www.punemirror.in / Pune Mirror / Home> Others> Leisure / by Yolande D’Mello  / July 20th, 2014