The impact of the death of Muhammad Ali is being felt from the Muslim community to boxing centers across the state.
Replays of The Greatest' fights at the Hartford Boxing Center served as a tribute.
“Everyone was talking about it (Saturday). A lot of people are saddened by it,” says Michael Tran, co-owner of the Hartford Boxing Center.
Tran is a boxer and helps train a new generation ready to enter the ring. He says kids are inspired by Ali and his three World Heavyweight titles.
“Muhammad Ali is the embodiment of the underdog rising to the top,” says Tran.
At the Baitul Aman Mosque in Meriden, they are remembering the 74-year-old’s moves outside the boxing ring.
“For us Muslims he was a great inspiration because he proudly stood for his identity,” says Zahir Mannan, the mosque’s outreach director.
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Ali converted to Islam in the 1960’s.
While at first he was associated with the Nation of Islam, he later switched to more mainstream branches of the religion.
He traveled the world promoting tolerance and respect.
“He was a great role model because he did live up to his word and he raised millions of dollars for humanitarian efforts and was a great ambassador for the religion of Islam,” says Mannan.
Back at Hartford Boxing, Ali’s civil rights bravery is also remembered.
Ali promoted peace and refused to fight in the Vietnam War, despite being drafted.
“For me that’s the thing that stands out a lot for Muhammad Ali just considering my heritage,” says Tran.
Both the boxing center and staff at the mosque plan to talk to kids about Muhammad Ali, making sure his legacy is remembered.
