Russ Routledge is a former amateur boxer from Newcastle upon Tyne. Muhammad Ali, 70 last month, is the greatest boxing champion the world has ever seen. Here is the story of their extraordinary friendship.

Muhammad Ali is a fast driver. He guns the Stutz Bearcat along Wilshire Boulevard, swinging in and out of busy traffic, and throws a hard left into Rossmore Avenue. Pedestrians point and wave, and Ali lifts his hands from the steering wheel to throw shadow punches in their direction. Stopped at a red, a driver leans from his car window and shouts, “Hey Ali – you’re the greatest!” Ali bites down on his Louisville lip and offers the driver a comic grimace. Then, as the light turns, the man they call the Champ hits the gas and races toward Hollywood Boulevard…

Read the full story in issue 12 (pages 48-56) of Meze magazine.

Postscript: In January 2012, Russ received an unexpected invitation to attend Ali’s 70th birthday party. He flew to Louisiana, and met with his friend one last time. The Champ recognised him, Russ said, and it was a precious opportunity to say thank you, and goodbye.

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