Muhammad Ali remembered at Juarez gym

For many years after retiring Muhammad Ali actively pursued charity work, and it even brought him to Cd. Juarez. Ali visited a small community gym where he met with local charity workers that fed the hungry. The gym’s boxing coach said he would never forget that day or the visit.

“He was the number one boxer in the world, there hasn’t been another one like him since,” said Mel Martinez, who has coached boxing at the Kiki Romero Gym for more than 30 years.

He said he was surprised his gym was chosen for Ali’s visit; it was something he would never have dreamed of.

“Ever since I started boxing at the age of 14 I’ve never missed an Ali fight,” Martinez said.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance when Martinez and his students finally got to meet the living legend in their own gym, Ali sat on a raised platform as the entire gym filled with people.

“He greeted and hugged everyone that came up to him, flashing his trademark smile,” martinez said.

Ali met with community leaders, helping them by giving away thousands of pounds of protein powder to help feed the hungry. His visit helping both those in need and those in the ring

“The Champ told me to give it my all as I coached his kids,” Martinez said.

Ali was in the gym for only a couple of hours, but martinez says his visit will never be forgotten. There remain a signed picture of the boxer and the moment where he met the coach, but the gym’s most prized possession is a glove, signed by the greatest.

“I don’t think we will ever see another boxer as good as Muhammad Ali,” Martinez said.

From Coach Martinez and the entire Kiki Romero Gym, may the Champ rest in peace