Then we heard that Ali lost to Leon Spinks and we all doubted whether he would visit Bangladesh,” said Halim. The National Boxing Stadium in Paltan, named after Muhammad Ali, was inaugurated at the end of Ali’s five-day trip. A boxing ring was set up at Bangabandhu National Stadium (then known as Dhaka Stadium) for the exhibition match. “The sports journalists and photographers were ready to capture Ali of Bengal and the Ali of world in a single frame. “Meeting Muhammad Ali for a boxer is like meeting Pele for a footballer.

Source: Dhaka Tribune April 18, 2020 12:11 UTC