In this interview, Dr Khalilah Camacho-Ali, the ex-wife of legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali, speaks about the making of the world’s greatest pugilist, their marriage and separation, and the plan to recreate one of the greatest boxing bouts in history.
What are the potential benefits of staging the “Rumble In The Jungle” rematch in Nigeria?
For the anniversary of the “Rumble in the Jungle,” we are celebrating 50 years since the great event featuring the fight between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali in Zaire, Africa. It was a tremendous success and a significant victory. As we mark 50 years, we want to celebrate that historic day of Muhammad Ali’s “Rumble in the Jungle” and continue the saga by organising a “Rumble in Nigeria,” aiming to make it one of the most outstanding boxing events ever.
What significance does this fight hold for Joshua personally and professionally?
The fight with Joshua will personally showcase that Nigeria has some of the most exciting and fascinating athletes. We want to commemorate the fighters and athletes of Nigeria by promoting better health and mental health for the future. This includes providing them with access to doctors for annual health check-ups to diagnose and prevent potential health issues, thus preventing future health casualties.
What advice would you give to other spouses of athletes or public figures?
To be supportive of the athletes; if you’re married, always support him. Help him train and provide the right foods. Cook nutritious meals, as this support is very meaningful and beneficial for his training. No matter what, don’t be afraid to express his needs and ensure he is training properly and eating healthily.
How did you manage the challenges that came with his career?
When you’re bombarded by obstacles, unnecessary people around the camp, and shenanigans, it can be challenging. There are always women after him, and you have to remain polite and express your feelings humbly, not aggressively. You have to tackle many things, including setting up interviews and dealing with unnecessary distractions. It’s essential to keep negative feelings away from the fight and maintain a positive environment. Avoid bringing in people who say negative things; be strong in supporting him positively.
Sometimes, the athlete may not want to train and might get a little lazy, especially when they are constantly working. It’s crucial to allow them a break day or a cheat day occasionally. For instance, if he wants a piece of chocolate cake, let him have it for one cheat day, but ensure he sticks to healthy habits and is punctual with his training.
How did you maintain your own identity while being in the public eye as his wife?
When you’re supporting your husband, remember that you both shine when he looks good. By supporting him, you maintain your identity and fulfill your role. Although you might not always be in the spotlight, your efforts matter. Supporting your husband allows you both to shine because you are a team. Your identity remains intact as long as you support him, and in doing so, you support both of you. Being a team means that your identity isn’t diminished; rather, it is enhanced through your shared success.
How did you balance family life with the demands of his career?
When you’re balancing your family and supporting your husband at the same time, you need a lot of support. My family was my support system, helping me with the children when I needed to be with my husband. Your family is your strongest support, and mine was especially during times when we had to attend meetings about the fight or other events. My family was my strong support system during those times.
Can you share some behind-the-scenes stories from his biggest fights?
I’ve had many wonderful moments with him, and most of them are detailed in my new book, “The Undefeated”. This book shares many intimate and inspiring moments with my husband. You must get “The Undefeated: My Life Story with Muhammad Ali”. It’s available on Amazon and at my ongoing book signings. The book details certain moments with celebrities we met, like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and others. It also recounts our time in Egypt and meetings with notable figures such as Marian McPartland and African American leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. You will find all of this and more in the upcoming book available on Amazon, called “The Undefeated”.
What role did faith and spirituality play in your life and marriage?
Life as a Muslim is very important to me. When you follow your dreams and your heart, you can’t simply play; you must pray to God and pray for health and safety. Boxing is a very serious sport, and prayer is central to us. Praying together is essential for success. Saying prayers and reading the Holy Qur’an are key when we live together as human beings, as a wife and family, and a fighter. Being guided in the right direction has helped me in many ways. It is deeply satisfying to turn to God and ask for protection and guidance. This is most important to me and my husband.
Looking back, what are you most proud of in your journey as the wife of Muhammad Ali?
My proudest moment was when he won and was successful in his boxing career, becoming the winner. After all the training and dedication, the fight was the pinnacle moment, whether he won or lost. It was very important that we prayed for that. Being his wife and standing by his side, meeting people around the world—ambassadors, kings, queens, and prime ministers — was incredibly exciting. Meeting celebrities and experiencing their gratitude for our journey and sacrifices was enlightening. It was a successful journey, even though we had to sacrifice a lot to reach this moment. Now, we can celebrate greatness, success, and the people who supported us. That was the most enlightening part, and we are grateful to those who helped us achieve success.
What qualities did you admire most about Muhammad Ali?
The qualities I admire most about Muhammad Ali are his dedication and training. I married him when he was Cassius Clay and continued to admire him as he became Muhammad Ali. His training and dedication were incredibly inspirational to me. I recognised his potential as a fighter and knew that being with him meant we couldn’t lose, given how skilled he was as a champion.
His commitment to training and his ability to listen and work as a team were crucial to his success. Before he became Muhammad Ali, there was a lot of hard work, and I knew him before he was famous. His dedication to boxing fascinated me. Additionally, he turned out to be a good father and husband, though that phase of our life was brief.
I was disappointed to divorce him, partly due to his lack of dedication to our family. Despite this, we remained friends and never held anger towards each other. We continued to be friends as co-parents and maintained our dedication to keeping his legacy alive.
What lessons can we learn from Mohammad Ali’s Parkinson’s disease?
Yes, he left a significant legacy and imparted knowledge. Although I wasn’t married to him during his illness, I witnessed him slowly deteriorating and ageing due to Parkinson’s disease. It was very hard for me to see a man with such energy and vitality gradually decline. Watching him suffer through Parkinson’s and seeing his vibrant spirit fade away was the most difficult experience for me. I’m somewhat relieved I wasn’t there during his struggling times, but it was still profoundly painful to see him suffer and lose the qualities that made him so dynamic and outspoken.
What lessons from his life do you think will impact future generations?
The lessons I’ve learned from my time with Muhammad Ali, and the legacy he has left for young athletes today, is the importance of staying dedicated to your sport. Be frugal, give your best effort, and take your career seriously. Muhammad Ali gave his all, and for future generations, it’s crucial to be strong, dedicated, and devoted to your craft, whether it’s boxing or any other pursuit.
Stay loyal to your preparation and strive to be the best you can be. For young athletes, it’s essential to go all in, train hard, and maintain a strong connection with prayer to seek guidance and success. Muhammad Ali serves as a perfect role model in terms of dedication to training and sport. Above all, keep up your prayers, as they are key to achieving your goals.
What inspired you to write “Undefeated: The Untold Story of My Forgiveness and Healing,” and what message do you hope readers will take away from it?
My book is about healing and forgiveness. It took some time for me to heal and to forgive so that I could write the book with respect, honour, and appreciation for my life with Muhammad Ali. I did it for our children and to let people know that even after divorce, you should still have a connection with your spouse so they can be in your children’s lives.
It’s about learning, appreciation, and forgiveness, so we can move beyond turmoil, hate, and pain. It takes time for things to heal, and it’s best not to write when you’re angry or hurt because you don’t want to let people hear the worst of the worst. That battle is between you and your spouse.
I hope people who read the book, especially women, understand not to speak with hate and regret. Take time for yourself to understand the reasons behind your emotions. Remember that you once loved this person, and it’s important to keep that love sacred. Speak with wisdom and common sense, and avoid exposing private issues in public.
I hope readers learn from this and see that private matters should remain private. This book has given me a new mission to help other women through their pain, hurt, and suffering. It’s important to remember that healing is a personal journey between you and God.
When you heal, you feel good about yourself and can appreciate the life you had in the past. Keep the past in the past, and focus on your children and the future. I love my life and don’t regret anything. I ask God for guidance and healing because only God and time can heal any person. Thank you for reading my book.