The Dhaka bout

“February 19, 1978. It will be the most memorable day of my life. Whenever I think about those precious 12 minutes of that day, I forget all my sorrows for a while,” smiled Mohammed Gias Uddin, who got the golden opportunity of having a mock fight with one of the greatest sports personalities of the century, boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
Ali had paid a five-day visit to Bangladesh onthat day. Gias, who was only 12 then, was selected to have a mock spar with the star. Gias fondly recalled that day at the Mohammad Ali Boxing Stadium, Paltan, yesterday.

“I had won three gold medals in different national junior championships at that time. When Ali was requested to have an exhibition fight, he said he wanted to spar with a young boxer. The Bangladesh Boxing Federation selected me,” he narrated.
“I have no words to express my feelings. I was thrilled, excited, but not afraid. It was a rare opportunity for an athlete. I could hardly wait to meet him. And then, the great moment came when I would spar with him. My heart was racing,” Gias recalled.
“I remember the great boxer as a very tall and cheerful man. He pretended that it was a serious fight and grunted and growled to frighten me. I was not afraid because I knew that he would not hit me. The match consisted of three bouts of three minutes each. Overall, it continued for 10 to 12 minutes, including a three-minute rest,” Gias said.
Expressing deep sorrow at Ali’s death, Gias said, “Death is a universal truth. Everybody has to die, but it is hard to accept the departure of such a great man. I feel he’s still alive in our hearts.”
Gias gave up boxing after a leg injury and is now a construction businessman.

The Dhaka bout

February 19, 1978. It will be the most memorable day of my life. Whenever I think about those precious 12 minutes of that day, I forget all my sorrows for a while, smiled Mohammed Gias Uddin, who got the golden opportunity of having a mock fight with one of the greatest sports personalities of the century, boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Ali had paid a five-day visit to Bangladesh onthat day. Gias, who was only 12 then, was selected to have a mock spar with the star. Gias fondly recalled that day at the Mohammad Ali Boxing Stadium, Paltan, yesterday. I had won three gold medals in different national junior championships at that time. When Ali was requested to have an exhibition fight, he said he wanted to spar with a young boxer. The Bangladesh Boxing Federation selected me, he narrated. I have no words to express my feelings. I was thrilled, excited, but not afraid. It was a rare opportunity for an athlete. I could hardly wait to meet him. And then, the great moment came when I would spar with him. My heart was racing, Gias recalled. I remember the great boxer as a very tall and cheerful man. He pretended that it was a serious fight and grunted and growled to frighten me. I was not afraid because I knew that he would not hit me. The match consisted of three bouts of three minutes each. Overall, it continued for 10 to 12 minutes, including a three-minute rest, Gias said. Expressing deep sorrow at Alis death, Gias said, Death is a universal truth. Everybody has to die, but it is hard to accept the departure of such a great man. I feel hes still alive in our hearts. Gias gave up boxing after a leg injury and is now a construction businessman.