Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, self-acclaimed World Boss, in a daring comparison to world heavyweight boxing legend Muhammad Ali (birth name Cassius Clay), is planning to beat his political opponents into submission during the current political campaigns leading to the upcoming general elections.
Gonsalves spoke, metaphorically, of his planned Muhammad Ali imitation during a recent ceremony at the SVG Community College to distribute hundreds of laptop computers to first-year students.
Gonsalves, who is seeking an unprecedented sixth consecutive term in office, announced plans to distribute more laptops next year, opening the gate for him to raise the question of whether he would retain the “championship belt” this year in the upcoming general elections.
“I don’t worry about election, you know. I don’t worry about election at all. What I take to heart is the conversation between the Lord of the universe, the maker of all things and Jeremiah – ’Before you were born, before you were in your mother’s womb, I knew you, I blessed you, I sanctified you, I set you apart and I proclaim you prophet to the nation.’
“So I don’t worry at all. It is the will of God acting out through the people. I don’t have any quarrel, nothing. That’s why I say I love elections. I enjoy them,” Gonsalves said.
Gonsalves said that in addition to “sharpening” his mind people should notice also that he has “lost a lot of pounds since early June” as he has been preparing himself for the task of speaking at “three, four meetings a night” during the political campaigns.
“And I’m very energetic. And at this weight which I have, I know that when I punch, I will punch harder. And when I ask: ‘What’s my name?’ You better answer my name properly.
“When I punch you and ask you: ‘what’s my name?’ And you play like you don’t know, and I hit you again, and I hit you again. I hit you, and you say, “yes, yes, yes. You’re the world boss. You’re the six-star general,” Gonsalves said, evoking uproarious applause from the college students.
At a press conference the day before the February 6, 1967, fight, Ali’s opponent Ernie Terrell refused to call Ali by his new name adopted when he converted to Islam.
During the press conference, Ali told Terrell he would make him “announce it right there in the centre of that ring after the fight”
Ali said “Clay” was not his name, it was a “slave-name.”
“I’m gonna punish you!” an angry Ali told Terrell.
During the fight, Ali repeatedly asked Terrell: “What’s my name?”
Terrell refused to oblige Ali.
The first two rounds were even-keeled But, from the third round, Ali started gaining an advantage on Terrell. In the 9th round, Ali unleashed a flurry of punches, jabs and hooks on Terrell.
Ali did not let up, hammering Terrell into the full 15 rounds.
Terrell finally called Ali by his converted name: “Muhammad Ali.”
