MUHAMMAD Ali’s brother says the ailing boxing icon is on the verge of death —
and his final days are being marred by a bitter family feud fuelled by his
wife.
The former heavyweight champion, 71, is gripped by Parkinson’s and Rahman Ali
fears he is in terminal decline.
But the 69-year-old said the disease is NOT the most devastating factor in Ali’s heartbreaking demise.
He blames Lonnie, his wife of 26 years, for tearing the family apart and said Ali would be “mad as hell” if he knew what was going on. He said: “The worst thing to happen is not the illness, but his wife.”
In an exclusive interview, Rahman broke down in tears as he admitted he would
rather his brother died now so he can escape his suffering.
Rahman revealed: “My brother can’t speak — he doesn’t recognise me. He’s in a bad way. He’s very sick.
“It could be months, it could be days. I don’t know if he’ll last the summer. He’s in God’s hands. We hope he gently passes away.
Rahman revealed: “My brother can’t speak — he doesn’t recognise me. He’s in a bad way. He’s very sick.
“It could be months, it could be days. I don’t know if he’ll last the summer. He’s in God’s hands. We hope he gently passes away.
“He told me before he got really bad that he’s in no pain. He grabbed my arm
and whispered, ‘Rah, I’ve achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to
accomplish. Don’t cry for me, I’m in no pain.’
Rahman last saw Ali in London in July at the Sports For Peace Gala to pay
tribute to his incredible career and dedication to the civil rights
movement. He even spoke on behalf of his beloved brother at the star-studded
event at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
But he claims he has been cut from dad-of-nine Ali’s life and blames his fourth wife Lonnie. He now speaks to ailing Ali only by phone.
Speaking from his dingy two-bed flat in Louisville, Rahman said: “We’ve all been pushed out. The only time I get to see him is at public events. She and her family are draining him. It’s so sad. There’s nothing I can do, they’ve blocked us all off.
Before he got sick he told me, ‘Rahman, I’ve set up a trust fund for you after I die, you get the money.’ But she’s put a stop to it. “If he knew what was happening and where I’m living now, he’d be as mad as hell, so angry. He’d divorce her. If he saw what was happening with his children, he’d go crazy.”
Ali’s biological children are all from previous relationships and some share Rahman’s anger. Muhammad Ali Jnr, 30, who lives in a drug-infested area of Chicago, barely sees his father and has claimed he’s been “blocked”. Rahman revealed: “I spoke to Muhammad Ali Jnr last week, as he was concerned about his dad. They’ve all tried to get in contact with him. She’ll put him on the phone sometimes, but he can only breathe on the line.
But he claims he has been cut from dad-of-nine Ali’s life and blames his fourth wife Lonnie. He now speaks to ailing Ali only by phone.
Speaking from his dingy two-bed flat in Louisville, Rahman said: “We’ve all been pushed out. The only time I get to see him is at public events. She and her family are draining him. It’s so sad. There’s nothing I can do, they’ve blocked us all off.
Before he got sick he told me, ‘Rahman, I’ve set up a trust fund for you after I die, you get the money.’ But she’s put a stop to it. “If he knew what was happening and where I’m living now, he’d be as mad as hell, so angry. He’d divorce her. If he saw what was happening with his children, he’d go crazy.”
Ali’s biological children are all from previous relationships and some share Rahman’s anger. Muhammad Ali Jnr, 30, who lives in a drug-infested area of Chicago, barely sees his father and has claimed he’s been “blocked”. Rahman revealed: “I spoke to Muhammad Ali Jnr last week, as he was concerned about his dad. They’ve all tried to get in contact with him. She’ll put him on the phone sometimes, but he can only breathe on the line.
“I know him better than anyone, I can sense he’s unhappy. I can see it in
his eyes"
I love him, but she stops him from loving anyone. This is the saddest thing
in my life. I’m going to let God take care of it — he’s the best attorney
anyone can have.” The brothers — born Cassius and Rudolph Clay — grew up in
the same bedroom of a humble two-bedroom home in Louisville, Kentucky, with
dad Cassius Clay Snr and mum Odessa.
They were inseparable as youngsters and joined the local boxing league
together.
Rahman — who like Ali adopted a Muslim name — also became a heavyweight fighter in his youth and has suffered from brain illness in later life. But while his boxing great brother is worth more than £50million, Rahman and his church minister wife Caroline live off a pittance.
He revealed: “I haven’t got much money and I’m on disability benefits. I’ve had many strokes, 20 in all, and it’s affected my brain and short-term memory. The doctor told me I’m lucky to be alive — I should be dead. Every day is a blessing to me.
We’ve barely got enough to pay our bills. The rent is $512 a month, and if
we’re lucky, we may have $150 left after bills.
“If my brother had all his faculties, he’d look after me. I’d be living in
a mansion.”
Their childhood home is in a state of neglect but Rahman revealed Ali wants to be buried in Louisville with a quote from civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr on his headstone.
He said: “This is his hometown. He’d want to be buried in the cemetery with mum and dad. On his tombstone, he said he wanted the Martin Luther King quote, ‘I tried to love somebody, I did try to feed the hungry. I did try, in my life, to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.’ The Greatest.”’
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/
Rahman — who like Ali adopted a Muslim name — also became a heavyweight fighter in his youth and has suffered from brain illness in later life. But while his boxing great brother is worth more than £50million, Rahman and his church minister wife Caroline live off a pittance.
He revealed: “I haven’t got much money and I’m on disability benefits. I’ve had many strokes, 20 in all, and it’s affected my brain and short-term memory. The doctor told me I’m lucky to be alive — I should be dead. Every day is a blessing to me.
Their childhood home is in a state of neglect but Rahman revealed Ali wants to be buried in Louisville with a quote from civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr on his headstone.
He said: “This is his hometown. He’d want to be buried in the cemetery with mum and dad. On his tombstone, he said he wanted the Martin Luther King quote, ‘I tried to love somebody, I did try to feed the hungry. I did try, in my life, to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.’ The Greatest.”’
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/
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