Central Point, Ore. – Central Point resident Mike Wilson started boxing at 13-years-old. “Ali meant everything to me. He was what I grew up you know with the poster on my wall,” said Wilson. Now, he is a two-time amateur super heavyweight champion.
It’s Muhammad Ali who Wilson credits for sparking his passion for the sport. Wilson said, “He always been the poster on my room you know, the impossible is nothing you know what I mean kind of guy. So every day when I woke up that’s what I woke up to so absolutely I think he was an inspiration.”
Wilson’s coach, James Pedrojetti, said Ali revolutionized the sport for boxers and fans.
“He was a living legend, and he transcended the sport of boxing. There’s very few people who can be recognized throughout the world,” said Pedrojetti.
Wilson and Pedrojetti said what Ali did without the gloves on matched his accomplishments inside the ring.
Wilson said the man who dubbed himself “The Greatest of All Time” will be remembered as exactly that. And although he’s gone he won’t soon be forgotten.
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