Local boxing promoter shares his memories of Muhammad Ali

By Bianca Buono

bbuono@abc6.com

@BBuonoABC6

One local boxing promoter knew Muhammad Ali personally and is looking back at the life of the three-time world heavyweight champion after he passed away at age 74.

His office, covered in Ali memorabilia, including an original photo, signed by ‘The Greatest’, personally addressed to Burchfield.

"He got into your head. He seen what your weakness was. He got into your head. By the time of the night of the fight was there, he had you half beaten,” Burchfield said.

Burchfield is in awe of what Ali was able to do inside the ring, but he’s even more impressed by his character outside of sports. In 1979, Ali ate dinner at Burchfield’s restaurant in North Providence. The champ interacted with anyone who wanted to see him, including a bartender at the restaurant.

"She loved Muhammad Ali. So she gets behind the bar at The Classic and she starts getting everything organized. He walks in and sits at the bar stool and she said, ‘Can I help you?’ And then she seen it was him she fainted behind the bar!” Burchfield recalled.

After dinner, Ali asked Burchfield to take him somewhere where people were in need. They went to bar in South Providence and Burchfield couldn’t believe what he did.

"He gave every one of them a $50 bill. It was amazing."

While Burchfield says Ali can never be replaced, he hopes athletes today can take something away from the legacy he leaves behind.

"They can learn an awful lot,” Burchfield said.

Burchfield says his card this Friday at Twin River will be dedicated to Muhammad Ali and they’ll be doing a ten-bell salute to honor him.

© WLNE-TV 2016