Muhammad Ali to share diabetes journey with islanders

Friday 22 October 2021

Muhammad Ali will tomorrow be opening up to islanders about his battle to become the first professional boxer with diabetes, in the hope of showing those with the condition that it shouldn’t hold them back from sport.

Rochdale-born Ali was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes – which means the body struggles to produce insulin - aged just five.

A keen sportsman, playing football and karate, Ali did not take up the sport of his namesake until he was 12 years old.

His talents quickly became clear, and the bout-winning amateur applied for a professional licence in 2015, but was rejected due to his diabetes.

It set the stage for one of his toughest fights: a three-year battle to prove his condition wasn't too dangerous for him to enter the ring professionally, which he won with the support of Diabetes UK and Dr Ian Gallen.

Having won his first six bouts prior to the pandemic, Ali's long-term goal is to achieve a world title.

Ali – whose view of diabetes is "I don't suffer from the condition, I live with it" – will be at the Pomme D'Or on Saturday morning to share his experiences with an audience invited by local charity Diabetes Jersey.

"Muhammad's success at being recognized is proof that Type 1 diabetes cannot prevent sportsmen and women from excelling," Diabetes Jersey's Chair, Bill O'Brien, commented.

"Muhammad is proof that even in a sport as tough as boxing, diabetes can be beaten."