Boxing News

Louisville, KY- The Olympic Games are an exceptional time for sharing and celebrating the gifts and talents of athletes across cultures and geographic borders.

 This year that is especially true as it marks the 100th anniversary of boxing as an Olympic sport and of African Americans’ participation in the Games.
Lennox Lewis, former heavyweight champion of the world, is the first professional athlete to pledge money to Muhammad AliÂ’s international center being built in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Both Lewis and Ali are former Olympic gold medallists.
Lewis says his gift is an expression of thanks for how Ali has influenced him as an athlete and as a public figure.  “I want to be part of Muhammad AliÂ’s legacy in helping people—especially children—to find greatness within,” said Lewis.
Lewis, who is involved in the 100 Black Men of London, sponsors an elementary school chess team and assists various youth and education-focused organizations in the U.K. and the U.S., has plans to build a boxing and recreation center in Jamaica.
Ali, who was the first boxer to have ever won the world heavyweight title three times, has been an advocate for respect, hope, and understanding both at home and around the globe for three decades. Today, he is a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
These same ideals will be communicated by the Center through innovative exhibitry, public programming, and distance learning initiatives.
Michael Fox, president and  CEO of the Ali Center said, “We look forward to having visitors explore what we have to offer—both literally and figuratively.

 The exhibitry will showcase six major themes of AliÂ’s life and will encourage visitors to embark on their own paths to personal greatness.”  These themes are: respect, confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, and spirituality.
Mrs. Lonnie Ali said that she and her husband are very grateful for LennoxÂ’s pledge, as it will help complete the CenterÂ’s capital campaign.  “This gift says a lot about the man,” she continued, “Lennox is about giving back and he believes in what weÂ’re doin

g. IÂ’m glad he has taken the lead and I hope he is able to inspire others.”
The Muhammad Ali Center is an international cultural and education institution that is guided and inspired by the ideals of Ali as they relate to our individual lives.

Through the use of interactive technology, exhibits, and multimedia theater, the Center will translate the values and milestones of Ali’s life into an awareness on the part of the visitors that they have the same potential to shape their lives—and the world—as did Muhammad Ali. 
The Center just began construction in August and will open its new facility in Fall 2005.  For more information, visit alicenter.org