Meeting Rahman Ali -and remembering a Rascal

Sometimes life surprises you with a moment you’ll never forget.

In June 20220, at the Muhammad Ali Ceter in Louisville Kentucky, I met Rahaman Ali, younger brother of the Greatest Muhammad Ali. What I expected to be a quiet visit to tick a bucket list item turned into an encounter that reminded me of my boxing coach Australian Olympian (1960) Des Duguid and the lost spirit of a close friend.

With Rahaman Ali’s recent passing I wanted to share this story- part tribute ,part personal reflection- about a warm and gracious man who carried the same spark and dignity that defined the Ali Family. It is also about the way boxing connects people across time ,countries and cultures.

Growing up in Melbourne in the 1960s, most of my mates dreamed of becoming Aussie Rules football stars, cricket immortals like Sir Donald Bradman, Davis Cup tennis champions, or the next Olympic swimming hero like Dawn Fraser.

For me, my dreams always involved boxing. My heroes were local Melbourne boys and world champions Lionel Rose and Johnny Famechon, and far away, in that distant land called the USA ,the GOAT himself — Cassius Clay, later Muhammad Ali.

Fast forward to adulthood, and my career in corporate fitness took me from Australia to a permanent home in Washington, D.C. One item on my bucket list was to visit the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

I’d come close to meeting Ali once before, at a conference in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was in the hotel lobby, but his Parkinson’s was severe by then. He shook uncontrollably, supported byf amily, and I knew that approaching him would be intrusive. It was bittersweet — so near to meeting my hero, but the timing wasn’t right.

In 2022, I finally made the pilgrimage to Louisville. Stepping into the Ali Center, I noticed a tall,older African American gentleman shaking hands with visitors. I thought he might be a retired basketball player, or even ex-heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. Not wanting to intrue,I kept to the side away from him and his crowd of admirers

Then I heard something.

“Sir, sir! Come here, please.”

I looked around. “Who, me?” I replied.

“Yes, you, sir — please come over,” he said, smiling warmly.

As I approached, he asked, “Are you Irish?”

“Well, I’m actually Australian, but with Irish grandparents,” I replied.

He then reached over, tousled my hair, and said, “You remind me so much of my grand father who was part Irish ,with your hair, and the way you move”

It was a touching moment. “That’s wonderful — it’s great meeting you,” I replied.“Great to meet you too,” he said. “I’m Muhammad’s brother.”

The penny dropped, and so did my jaw. “Oh wow, Rahman?” I stammered, mispronouncing hsi name in my excitement. I asked for a photo, unaware there was already a queue. “No, don’t go — let’s talk,” he said, as his beautiful grandchildren peppered me with questions about Australia. .Rahman told me his brother Muhammad had loved Australia. I asked if he’d ever been. “No,” he said, “but I wish I did.”

I then pulled out a photo on my phone of my boxing coach, Des Duguid, a fellow 1960 Olympian representing Australia, with his brother Muhammad taken a few years ago when he visited my hometown of Melbourne.

Des Duguid (left) with Muhammad Ali years later in Melbourne Australia

Rahman chuckled. “Your coach looks like a rascal. No wonder he and my brother got on.”

Des was indeed a rascal, in the best sense. Like Ali, he had a big personality, a sharpwit, and a deep love for people from all walks of life. Des Duguid had a profound impact on my life and is the reason I’ve spent over 30 years teaching the fitness aspects of boxing — and proudly, in recent years, to the Parkinson’s communit y as he too likehis fried Muhamamd Ali suffered from Parkinsons in his final years.

Two things stood out when I reflected on meeting Rahman. Like many older boxers I’ve met, he had very astute observations about human movement and body language. His comments on my Irish background, my hair, and the way I moved — all in such a short time — spoke to that.

But the most profound part of the meeting wasn’t just the surprise encounter. As we talked, Ireally felt like I was speaking to Des again. Rahman had the same gentle manner, the same twinkle of mischief in his eyes, the same basic human decency.

Back in D.C., when I told friends about the meeting, they said it was “meant to be Karma, part of life’s mysterious journey.

” Yes maybe that’s true, but I think it says more about Rahman himself. He was more than Muhammad Ali’s younger brother. He was a fighter in his own right, a man of faith, strength, and dignity who stood proudly in his own legacy.

Deepest sympathies to Rahman’s family, friends, and all who were touched by his presence.

Rest in peace, Champ — and say Gidday to your big brother from all of us when you step into that big boxing ring in the sky. And while you’re there please give my mate Des Duguid a nudge as well I’m sure he’ll be close by your brothers side reliving their time as 2 loveable rascals in the 1960 Olympic Village.

Rest easy, mate.

Reflections on Fitness and Wellness Leadership at the World Bank

Gidday trendsetters,

I’ve been lucky enough to spend over 25 years helping to build something pretty special at the World Bank Fitness Centers.

In this interview with Bob Malloy from the World Bank Group I chat about the journey — the wins, the lessons, and the brilliant people (especially the volunteers!) who made it all possible.

Have a listen below and enjoy the story behind the scenes . A detailed topic timeline appears underneath the recording

:00–6:00 — Beginnings & Recruitment
Mike shares his surprising journey from Australia to the World Bank in 1993. He reflects on early impressions, relocation challenges, and his initial role managing a small fitness operation.

6:00–12:00 — Program Growth & Early Feedback
As the fitness center formalized under the Health Services Department, Mike began listening to staff suggestions and introduced structured programming. Includes early mentions of volunteer-led ideas like the “Abdominal Express” class.

12:00–13:30 — Volunteers: The Heart of the Program“We couldn’t have had 70+ classes a week without them.”
Volunteers were essential — not only teaching classes but promoting wellness across the Bank. Special mention: Susan Dubas, who continued teaching after retirement.

13:30–18:00 — Community Engagement & External Partnerships
Mike describes outreach with Gallaudet, GWU, veterans groups, and local gyms. Emphasis on service, accessibility, and community-building beyond the Bank.

18:00–24:00 — Organizational Culture & Inclusive Wellness
Describes the shift from exercise-as-discipline to wellness as inclusion. Management support and a fun, culturally-aware environment helped change the culture of fitness.

24:00–30:00 — Recognition & Global Impact
The Bank’s internal fitness program earned global recognition. Mike helped design a fitness center for the African Development Bank in Tunisia.

30:00–36:00 — Reflections, COVID-19 & Lessons Learned
Mike reflects on the pandemic's impact: loneliness, isolation, and the overlooked struggles of the fitness industry. Advocates for holistic wellness and community-minded recovery.

Themes That Emerged

• Leadership through service and empowerment

• Volunteers as essential community builders

• A shift from performance to connection and inclusion

• The fitness center as a model for institutional culture change

Thanks for tuning in Trendsetters— I hope you enjoyed my interview with the World Bank Development reflections Unit

If something resonated with you, feel free to hit the like button, share this with a friend or colleague, or drop a comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or even your own reflections on wellness, leadership, or volunteering. Cheers for stopping by and Keep punching !!!

Mike Tyson v Jake Paul : The sadness started with the ring walk !

Mike Tyson v Jake Paul, it started with the ring walk !

From the outset I didn’t buy into the pre-fight promotional narrative that Mike Tyson is “training the house down and has reignited skills that will destroy Jake Paul”.  Impressive choreographed training montages don’t necessarily translate into real boxing skills, particularly for a 58 year old ex-boxer with a history of back problems

Conveniently forgotten was the fact that Tyson lost 3 of his last 4 fights when he retired 19 years ago.  By the end of his 15year career he was a spent force. So all of a sudden he was suddenly going to return to his true Iron Mike golden era when he was between 20-23 years of age in 1987-90?  Absolute Nonsense!

But Still, like a lot of boxing fans, I harbored some hope that Iron Mike would  find 10 seconds of his youth  and corner Jake Paul to  pound  what Sally Jenkin of the Washington Post says is,” the most punch able face in the history of punched faces.“

 The Ring Walk

My worries started with the ring walk.  Ex-athletes usually have a rhythmic, purposeful stride that denotes confidence and worldliness accumulated over a lifetime of contests whatever their particular sport.  Tyson had a halting compromised walking gait that lacked fluidity of movement.  He reminded me of (and I mean no disrespect) an 81 year old President Joe Biden and neurologically affected clients I have worked with in my over 30 years in the Fitness Industry.

 Iron Mike has been less than iron for some time. In 2015 he had surgery to his back after he fell heavily after attempting to ride one his kids hover boards

Of course this is purely speculation. I’m not a doctor so I’m not in a position to diagnose underlying medical/neurological problems but given his history and continued problems with crippling sciatica… well it seems like at least “informed speculation”.

Roy Jones comments

 I’ve met many boxers over the years and found that nearly all of them have very astute observations about human movement in and out of the ring. My old boxing coach Aussie Olympian Des Duguid springs to mind, along with Muhammad Ali’s brother Rahman Ali.

From the moment the fight started Roy Jones commentated “ I don’t like the look of Mike’s legs, they just don’t look right”  There was a knee bandage on Tyson’s right knee but this was more than  a knee injury it was his whole gait and compromised movement pattern that Jones was seeing and commentated on throughout  the fight.

Peek a Boo Boxing Style

As renowned trainer Teddy Atlas has often stated, the peek a boo style with gloves held close to the face and quick side to side head movement ,relies on extremely fast movement and razor sharp reflexes. Mike Tyson lost those quick reflexes and movement years ago. By the time he fought Lenox Lewis in 2004 they were virtually nonexistent.

There’s a reason Mike and Floyd Patterson, both trained by Cus Damato, are the only 2 Heavyweight Champions to use that style.

With all of this in mind a 28 year old man in his prime with a 4 inch height and 6 inch reach advantage   in a huge ring has it tailor made for him to keep away and out of harm.

Even a 58 year Mike Tyson with crippling back problems can still hurt you. If the fight was in a telephone booth, not a 20 foot ring, Iron Mike would still pulverize Jake Paul and most other human beings walking the plan

A word or 2 on Jake Paul

Jake Paul could have really hurt Mikes Tyson in the late rounds when he clearly was getting tired. It’s to Paul’s credit that he did not do this out of respect for Tyson.

No doubt Jake Paul is a Master Promoter.  If he can generate so much revenue that reportedly leaves him getting $40million and Tyson $20 million more power to him. It can also be said that he brings attention to the boxing world that it normally wouldn’t have so in the long run it’s good for all Boxers.

Maybe so, but there are still many of us old boxing purists out there who feel that it cheapens boxing and makes it seem that almost can anyone could get in a ring and do it.

If  Jake Paul  continues to dodge fights with real boxers and chooses retired old UFC  fighters and Boxers I hope his next choice is one of the recently retired ex champs who are still relatively young like Carl “the Cobra” Froch or Andre Ward.  This would see him totally exposed as a good, competent YouTube fighter but not in any way a world championship caliber boxer.  I note that ex world Cruiserweight Champ Tony Bellew crashed the pre-fight press conference to question Jake Paul’s legitimacy.  I wouldn’t like to see that fight because Bellew a self-described “Big Lump” would seriously injure Jake Paul.

Mike Tyson has been through a lot in his life. There is no need to deify him and there have certainly been some people he has legitimately hurt both in boxing and life along the way.  If you read his biography “Undisputed Truth” he should get a gold medal for even being alive. Tyson fully admits all of this and doesn’t try to portray himself as a saint.

Hopefully the $20 million he received serves him and his family well so that we are spared this sad spectacle happening again and Iron Mike Tyson can live the rest of his days in peace with no punches thrown in or out of the ring.