People often move on after a boxing match comes to an end. However, it’s the boxers and their families who have to live with the dark consequences of the sport. Something Maryum Ali and Rashida Ali know quite well, as their legendary father, Muhammad Ali, struggled with Parkinson’s before he passed away on 3rd June 2016 at the age of 74.
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That’s why Rashida seems to have joined hands with The Ring of Brotherhood Foundation, founded in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic by Lisa McClellan, Pastor Kevin Person, Margie Ellis, William Zimmerman, and their team. And you know what? Ali’s other daughter, Maryum, is all for it, as she showed her support on social media today.
You see, the thing is, about a year ago, Rashida Ali appeared in a clip from the foundation from its ‘Remember The Future’ series, which encouraged fans and the boxing community to value their hero’s health and well-being equally or greater than the entertainment value of the sport. In fact, Co-founder, Lisa McClellan, was accompanied by a professional film crew to shoot the documentary-style PSA’s in Las Vegas.
In a statement on their Instagram post they even claimed, “Through multi-media, The Ring Of Brotherhood Foundation plans to bring awareness by capturing and creating content that will inform, inspire & bring change in how people see athletes in contact sports.” Fast forward to today, even Maryum joined the initiative through a social media post to promote the campaign. Turning to Instagram, while sharing Rashida’s campaign video, Maryum wrote, “Sounds like a great organization @rashedaali1.” She explained that the organization advocates and aims to help “all athletes [who] have suffered TBI, CTE, and other life-altering, sports-related injuries.”
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Interestingly, according to the foundation’s website, they provide treatment plans, baseline, and diagnosis for all athletes. They claim to do this through the Clinical Research Committee (CRC), the best health professionals, biomedical engineers, and regenerative medicine organizations. So, Maryum urged her followers, “If you love combat sports, I hope you can donate.” That said, The Ring of Brotherhood Foundation has also joined forces with the WBC.
The Ring of Brotherhood Foundation & WBC shake hands
As of the time of writing, the ‘Remember The Future’ series has featured Nico Ali Walsh, and referee Tony Weeks, among others, who have endorsed the foundation to raise awareness. Interestingly, back on September 14th, 2023, even the World Boxing Council (WBC) announced its collaboration with the organization. “The WBC has been closely monitoring the formation and development of Ring of Brotherhood and has witnessed the passion and dedication they have to make a difference and serve those who deserve an opportunity to improve their quality of life,” the president of WBC, Mauricio Sulaiman said.
Sulaiman has continued his father José Sulaiman’s legacy by prioritizing the health and safety of all boxers, while also supporting those in need after their careers in the ring have ended. So, he added, “This alliance could be a game changer. We view it as the planting of a tree which will provide a shadow of comfort to those in need.”
The need for such an effort has always been there in the boxing community, especially since the sport sees numerous fighters succumb to the side effects of the brutal sport. Finally, people like Rashida, her sister, and others have taken a step to help these fighters in need. Would you donate to the cause? What’s your take on the foundation?
