APPRECIATING THE MOMENT WITH MUHAMMAD ALI

I directed and produced a documentary called "Champions Forever," with the five great heavy weight's, Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Holmes and Norton.

I was at Muhammad Ali's house in Michigan City filming him, when he offered to make me some spaghetti with meat balls for lunch. Now here was a man who among many accomplishments, changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali, became the Heavy Weight Champion of the world, redefined an athletes ability to command big money, took a religious stance against war, went to Iraq to confront Saddam Hussein to force him to release American hostages, and he was making me lunch.

At that time, back in the late eighties, he was down on his luck financially, and was of course fighting Parkinson's, but still had this ability to be completely fearless and hopeful in his outlook
of the future.

Ali joked and laughed and he opened my eyes to life in a way that I had never appreciated before.

He was a modern day warrior, self effacing, but never the less fearless when it came to fighting for his belief's. Don't get me wrong, he made major mistakes in his personal and professional life
which he regretted, but did not let these bumps destroy his zest for life!

I took a bite of the spaghetti and he saw this look on my face! "You don't like my cooking? "He asked. I looked at him and laughed, "Not really." So Ali got up and started throwing his fists at me joking, "I'm getting flashbacks to the Thrilla in Manilla, I may just confuse myself out of rage and think your Frazier." I looked at this gigantic hand coming at me, hoping that he stayed with the joke. He then stopped and tasted it himself and said it sucked and told me that I should make lunch instead. Which I did.

After I made us some new pasta with fresh tomatoes, garlic and basil, we sat down ate and talked about our families and future. Ali smiled and said, "Your the World Champion of lunch today."

It's only as I reflect back now, that I truly appreciate that fortunate moment.