By Christy Anyanwu
Muhammad Ali’s wife, Khalilah Camacho, is in Nigeria to kick-start events to mark the golden jubilee of the iconic boxing match between Ali, acclaimed the greatest boxer that ever lived, and George Foreman, the first world heavyweight boxing bout staged on African soil, tagged “Rumble in the Jungle.”
She arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, on Wednesday night and got to her hotel, the Transcorp Hilton, in high spirits. Speaking with Sunday Sun in Abuja, she explained why she was on the trip and spoke about her late husband and her life as the spouse of a famous boxer. She also shared some advice to women and a lot of things to help the spirit, soul and body.
Why are you in Nigeria?
I am here to collaborate with some sponsors to hold a boxing event, “Rumble in Nigeria 2024,” in October. We are here to collaborate and raise money for the event so that we can have a spectacular tournament and bring some boxers here, hopefully get a couple of stars and singers to come here too. We are working on some singers and getting confirmations from them on how they would be part of the event. Also, I am here to know more about the mental health of Nigerian athletes. Mental health is very important. We are here to support the mental health institute to make sure our athletes go through that so they can have support. A lot of them are injured, brain damaged and have mental health issues.
How long will your visit last?
I will be here, probably, till the 23rd of this month and, hopefully, we will come back for the event.
Is this your first time in Nigeria?
Yes. First time ever.
How do you see it?
It is beautiful. We got a warm reception. They received me well. I’m accompanied on this trip by my manager. He is an educator, activist, historian and founder of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum. His name is Khalid el-Hakim. I am surrounded by great people.
You are 74, but you don’t look like it at all. What is your secret, what do you do?
I don’t feel it at all. I don’t act it at all. You know what I feel? I feel 38, I don’t even feel 40.
What do you do to look fit and beautiful this way?
Tour around the world. Keep moving. Don’t stop, keep moving. I have kept active, committed to the things I do. I can do films and design. I have films, I have a police film talking about how the police force works with the community in the United States. Half of my family are in law enforcement and I am very excited about that. Most importantly, I’m designing athletic jumpsuits for Nigerian athletes. It should be ready in October. I design jumpsuits for women and men.
You are really stylish. Did you also have a stint in a fashion school?
No. I design just to make an impact by knowing what our children need. We need to cover them up. They have to leave something to the imagination. A lot of American girls go nude and they show everything. We have to show them they don’t have to do that at some point.
You were married to a great man. What was the attraction, what made you fall in love with him?
Muhammad Ali was not Muhammad Ali when I met him. He was Casius Clay, and this great man didn’t become great overnight. We had to come together, build a legacy, we struggled for his freedom so that he could fight. He wasn’t always Muhammad Ali like you see him. There comes the growing, support, sacrifice, struggle, it came with all of it first. Then the outcome, you then see Muhammad Ali because he had a wife supporting him through his trials and tribulations. Behind every great man is a great woman.
How was life as Muhammad Ali’s wife?
It was beautiful. We had and raised four beautiful children and they are all Muslims, we are all Muslims. My children are grown, even my grandchildren are grown now. My grandchildren from the twins that we have are the two boys that are boxers, like their grandfather. They are great fighters too, they are living the legacy and I’m proud of it.
What do you miss most about Muhammad Ali?
His comedy. He could make you laugh. The spirit of Ali is in this room right now. You know that we wanted to plan and come here one day, and now his spirit knows I’m here already. He came to Nigeria 50 years ago, that was for the Rumble in the Jungle. That was part of his legacy too. Nigeria gave him support in his fighting and you are all part of the legacy.
Your dress sense is unique; what is your kind of fashion?
This is what I always love to do. I have always created my own styles. Throughout the year, I wear my own style of clothes. It’s based on majesty and respect. This is my Islamic heritage, donning proper dress. God willing, tomorrow (Friday), we are going to pray in one of the big mosques here in Abuja.
What was your first impression about Nigeria?
We came in the night (Wednesday). I could not see really see the real scenery because it was night. We were looking and peeping at everything. This is first time I came to Africa, everyone thought it was a jungle. We were fighting for black power and our civil rights in America, and I came over here and I saw true black power. I saw men flying planes and all black men in the control towers here in Africa. I saw the true black power here. I just feel coming to Nigeria is like coming home.
You are a trained pilot also?
I started flying when I was 23 years old and, and at 74, I still fly. I love to fly. I love to speed. Now I am on the board of a flight company in Los Angeles, where we teach young, Black sisters and brothers to fly. I’m on the board of a flight company in California. We need more pilots, more female pilots and we need more astronauts. In US National Space Administration, the women were the mathematical scientists that gave them direction for landing people on the moon, sending astronauts into space and Black women are part of that.
Generally, what’s your advice for women?
The best thing I advise women is not follow the Western civilisation’s wardrobe. Don’t try to be Barbie, don’t try to be somebody you are not. Be proud of your heritage, be proud of yourself, be proud of your beautiful black hair, your beautiful lips, your beautiful eyes, be proud of it because we are the most beautiful people in the world. We should be proud of it. I have a problem with the Black woman having brown hair. I have a problem with everybody wearing red hair, blue hair and yellow hair. We have the most beautiful culture in the world and the most beautiful life. Our lips, our nose, eyes, ears, we are the most beautiful human beings ever, so why try to copy some other culture or some other person? I don’t want to be a Barbie doll. I’m a Nigerian doll, and I’m proud to be Afro-American. I suggest to women, build your own culture, be proud of the way you look.
Who influenced you more while growing up, was it your dad or mum?
I learnt from both of them but my father was the one that inspired me to be open to different nationalities. My father opened up the culture part of my life. My mother was always there. The way she acted towards my father showed me what love was about. If it wasn’t in her speech, it was the way she acted. My mother and father were married for 68 years, my father always followed her. They were friends with each other and they made a happy home for me and my sisters and brother. There is nothing like a good father and mother. When I say good, we might not agree on everything but we respect each other.
What’s your favourite music?
I like classical music, I also like gospel music. I have family members who are Christian gospel singers.
Who is your favourite musician that you love dancing to his or music?
I like Prince, Sinatra and Miles Davis, he’s l a jazz performer. I like High Masekella. I love Miriam Makeba. She’s my favourite.
How do you unwind?
When I’m talking to people like you, that’s how I unwind. When I go to another country, that’s the most hype for me. I love travelling around the world.