Hyderabad, July 19 -- Abhijit Sen Gupta

Muhammad Ali was the most widely traveled and best known sportsperson in the world. More articles and photos of him were published in the media than on any other athlete. In fact many people in far flung regions did not know who was the President of the USA or Russia but they knew who was Muhammad Ali and what he had achieved.

Almost every gym in every street in cities across the world had at least one photo of Ali hanging on its walls. Such was his popularity that there were few countries where he was not invited and honoured. Wherever he went, he drew crowds. He had a magnetic charm. The word handsome did not do him justice. He was more than handsome.

He came to India several times. But unfortu...