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Op-Ed: Why Muhammad Ali roots for Manny Pacquiao

But Ali is picking Pacquiao to win over Mayweather not solely on the basis of his skill or speed and power but more so on his advocacy in helping people in need and other charitable activities outside the ring.

During his reign as the undisputed heavyweight champion, Ali dedicated part of his life to charity work and in helping people in need. He used his celebrity status and social clout in getting things done for people who are in desperate situations.

Ali’s daughter Rashida said her father is a huge fan of Pacquiao. They have been friends for a while and Pacquiao even visited her father in one of his birthday celebrations.

“My dad is Team Pacquiao all the way!” “My dad really likes Manny. He’s a huge fan of his.”
“He knows Manny’s a great fighter … but it’s more about what he does outside the ring. He’s such a charitable person,” Rashida told TMZ.

Ali, who is battling Alzheimer’s disease, continues to serve as an inspiration to others despite his fading memory and failing health.

Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Syndrome in 1984, a disease for which those subject to severe head trauma, such as boxers, are many times more susceptible.

As a legally sanctioned sport, boxing has been identified as one of the causes of Parkinson’s disease. A good number of boxers have died because of severe head injuries and some have contracted Parkinson’s disease.

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach — who was a professional boxer before turning boxing coach and trainer — is likewise suffering from dreaded disease.

Like Ali and Roach, several ex-boxers have died while some are still battling it out against the killer disease outside the ring.

Because of his failing health, Ali may not be able to watch Pacquiao live at the MGM Grand but he sure will tune in to the live telecast of the fight on pay-per-view.

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