‘Muhammad Ali was Guyana’s champ too’

Muhammad Ali (seated, centre) poses with guests at a reception held in his honour at Hamilton Green’s home in 1979.

American boxing legend Muhammad Ali was laid to rest on Friday in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, USA, and while former mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green wished he was there to witness the moment, he holds indelible memories of the champ’s visit here in 1979.

Muhammad Ali (seated, centre) poses with guests at a reception held in his honour at Hamilton Green’s home in 1979.
Muhammad Ali (seated, centre) poses with guests at a reception held in his honour at Hamilton Green’s home in 1979.

“That visit I tell you was parallel to a State visit… but I think everyone in Guyana, who was here during that time, would remember that he was so down-to-earth and fitted right in… with humour and charm,” said Green, who was then Minister of Labour and played an integral part in bringing the boxing great to this country in April 1979.

Green sat down with Stabroek News at his Meadowbrook home—where his now deceased first wife Shirley Field-Ridley had held a reception in