A Kiwi man who spent a round in the ring with Muhammed Ali wants fans help to cover the costs of his flights to the boxing legend's funeral.
Ali, 74, died at the weekend after a three-decade battle with Parkinson's disease. He will be laid to rest on Saturday morning in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
Sixty-eight-year-old Vali Taylor of Awanui was at Auckland's Western Springs in 1979 when Ali asked the crowd if anyone wanted a round with him.
Mr Taylor told Newshub he was the one of the only ones game enough to get in the ring.
"He asked the other side of the crowd if anyone wanted a round, and I was over the ropes before he turned around to ask our side. It was the greatest day of my life."
Mr Taylor promised Ali after their match that he would visit him in his home town of Louisville.
The respected kaumātua says he has received donations from locals and some in the Aotearoa boxing community, but would like sponsors such as Air New Zealand to get on board.
"It's very important because I believe I will be representing the country, and I'll be representing all Māori of New Zealand."
Mr Taylor has already purchased the tickets and will depart for the funeral on Friday.
Newshub.
