August 1964 'Cassius Wins Continent in Whirlwind Courtship' Yes, it was love at first sight. Muhammad (Cassius Clay) Ali loved Africa, and Africa loved him. During a recent whirlwind tour of Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria and Egypt, Muhammad Ali wallowed in the adulation of the crowds. Wherever he went, throngs cheered, girls swooned and presidents showered him with presents, gifts, kisses and hugs. As though he needed further proof of his popularity, Ali kept firing cheering crowds with the question; "Who's the Greatest?" The replies were unanimous , with 'Ali, Ali'. Wildy cheering crowds in Kumasl, Ghana watched the new champion enter the city in a cavalcade of cars. Also, the new champ performed several boxing exhibitions with local boxers. Even in the outskirts of Ghana, in the small villages, the locals all knew of the young Champion. Muhammad did attend several soccer matches, and horseback riding events. Wherever he went, a slew of camera-men followed, which drew on-rushing fans.
Amazing, how in a short period of time, Muhammad Ali was so popular and even recognized in the small villages, away from the larger cities. The summer of 1964. By his own words, more people would come to see him in the outskirt villages of Ghana, than in any United States Airport.
strangely, i just watched the `ali` movie this morning dramatizing this. when i first started reading i was sure you were talking about 1974, not 64. after 2 years in the spotlight and THAT famous...
Yes.. Village areas, without the benefit of Television. Nothing more than word-of-mouth information, handed down magazines and newspapers. Something was going on,,,,,,,,'an invisible inspiration' perhaps. He did fight an exhibition in front of 25,000 fans, when he fought Ghanian Light Heavyweight, JoJo Miles, in Accra, Ghana. Despite what people or Muhammad Ali's group may have stated, the United States State Department did provide sponsorship of this trip, including security, hospitalities and travel. It was to help promote goodwill in the African Region.
Incredible, thank you for this info! I have some of that footage of him in Africa in 64. Its great how he helped spread awareness and notoriety of Africa as a civilized and enjoyable place when during the time most uneducated people might have thought different. That problem persists till today. I wish there was footage of the exhibition match. I wonder if he made it extra flashy since some of those people couldn't watch his fights.
