The Boxing Tribune

Boxing's Independent Media

  • Home
  • News
  • Videos
  • Best Of
  • Staff
  • Advertise With Us
  • Write for Us

Muhammad Ali Pleads For Release of US Citizens Held Prisoner in Iran

March 17, 2011 by Paul Magno Leave a Comment

0
SHARES
ShareTweet

Boxing legend and the United States’ most well-known Muslim, Muhammad Ali, has made public his behind the scenes attempts to broker the release of US citizens, Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, who have been held on espionage charges since 2009 when they were arrested hiking near the Iranian border. The third member of their group, Sarah Shourd, was released on bail in September.

Through the Iranian consulate, Ali has sent two letters to Iran’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, pleading for the release of the hikers. Some believe the first correspondence influenced the release of the female member of the group.

“Please show the world the compassion I know you have in your heart,” Ali wrote. “Most Americans don’t know how warm and welcoming the Iranian people can be. One day, I hope I am able to return to Tehran to stand, greet and be among my Iranian brothers and sisters once again. Perhaps that day will come soon.”

Wife, Lonnie, also noted, from their Louisville home, that, if absolutely necessary, Ali would make the trip to Tehran if it would help the cause. but indicated that the visit would depend on her husband’s health.

Muhammad Ali is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that has rendered the once gregarious and outspoken 3-time heavyweight champ relatively mute and expressionless.

Ali was made aware of the plight of the Americans after contacted by the late John Arum, the son of promoter Bob Arum, who also was a hiker. He has also met with the family of the imprisoned Americans.

No official statement or recognition of Ali’s plea has been made by the Iranian government thus far.

 



Your Ad Here

 

Paul Magno on Email
Paul Magno
Paul Magno
Paul Magno has over thirty-five years of experience in and around the sport of boxing and has had his hand in everything, from officiating to training. As a writer, his work has appeared in Yahoo Sports, Fox Sports, Inside Fights, The Boxing Tribune, Fight Hype, Man Cave Magazine, Bleacher Report, and The Queensberry Rules.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: muhammad ali

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Best of The Boxing Tribune

Busting popular boxing myths

Busting popular boxing myths

Revisiting The Ring Magazine Scandal

Revisiting The Ring Magazine Scandal

Canelo, Golden Boy Still Taking Steps Backwards With Chavez Fight

Canelo, Golden Boy Still Taking Steps Backwards With Chavez Fight

The Devil and Mr. Gary Russell Jr; Magno’s Monday Rant

The Devil and Mr. Gary Russell Jr; Magno’s Monday Rant

In Defense of Rubio’s “Disgrace” Against Golovkin

In Defense of Rubio’s “Disgrace” Against Golovkin

More of The Boxing Tribune's Best

Follow Us

Facebooktwitteryoutube

Alexa Traffic Rank

Sportsbook odds for all Boxing matches

Search

Recent

  • Tyson returns with impressive display as odds available for potential future opponents
  • Crawford maintains unbeaten record following landing short odds in victory over Kell Brook
  • Kell Brook Loses In the Fourth Round To P4P King Terence Crawford
  • Boxing To Look Forward To This Weekend
  • How to Make Money From Your Boxing Passion