Long known to many as the great Muhammed Ali’s No. 1 fan, Glenn Singleton scored a knockout of his own recently when he won the fight of his life – and a fight for his life, at that – against gastric stomach cancer.
It was a tremendously taxing battle that saw Singleton beat the odds. It meant he could continue to add amazing experiences to a life already rich with them, and such was the case earlier this month when on June 3, Singleton and his wife Angelina visited Cave Hill Cemetary in Louisville, Kentucky to pay homage to Singleton’s hero, Ali.
It was the seven-year anniversary of the death of “the Greatest of All-Time.” The Singletons were invited to the ceremony, titled Roses and Remembrance, by Ali’s foundation. Once they arrived, Lonnie Ali, the widow of Muhammed Ali, asked the couple to walk with her as they placed a rose on her husband’s grave, then asked Singleton to speak to the crowd gathered at the event about his experiences with Ali, who he met years ago – Ali himself would go on to refer to Singleton as his No. 1 fan.
“She allowed me to tell my story,” Singleton said. “I am so thankful Mrs. Lonnie gave me that opportunity … so many people approached me and told me that I was blessed to be in the presence of Muhammed Ali. They said he called me his best fan because he knew the love and compassion I showed him when I met him.”
Singleton was also very touched by Lonnie Ali’s gesture to walk with the Singletons to her husband’s grave.
“We’re going to cherish this for the rest of our life,” Singleton said. “I was blessed to give my final goodbye to Muhammed Ali at his casket in 2016. Mrs. Lonnie Ali blessed me again, along with my wife Angelina.”
Singleton, a native and resident of Ama, long ago established an “Ali Showroom” at his home in response to Ali calling him his “best fan.” The showroom is full of pictures of Ali’s conquests and a few more of Ali with Singleton and his family. The intent is for it to stand as a museum for the younger generation to appreciate what the great fighter meant to so many.
“He was my hero. When most kids had fictional heroes, like Superman and Batman, mine was Muhammed Ali, aka Cassius Clay,” Singleton said in an interview with the Herald-Guide in 2016. “Years later, I showed him this picture he took with my children, and he was so excited that we were part of that night. He took my photo album and signed it, ‘To my best fan, Glenn Singleton.’ I thought, how can I prove that I’m worthy of that statement?
“This was our children’s playroom, and I turned it into a Muhammed Ali museum. This showroom, is a gift to generation of kids today … when they hear about The Ali Showroom, they come here and see what he was all about.”
In 2016, he made a more than 10-hour drive with his family to attend Ali’s funeral, telling stories of his times meeting the all-time great boxer to his two sons and daughter. Singleton and his family also were able to visit Ali’s childhood home at the time and attended a private reception for Ali’s family, friends and special guests on the invite of Ali’s brother Rahaman Ali.
Singleton was one of the very few to have a private moment to say goodbye to Ali at his casket.
He’s written a book, titled “My Hero: Ali,” about the life and times of the former world champion.
He was in attendance at the Louisiana Superdome nearly 40 years ago to watch his Ali, topple Leon Spinks to become the first-ever three-time world heavyweight champion in the boxing world. Singleton was part of Ali’s entourage and spent time at Ali’s camp as the all-time great prepared to face Spinks.
Singleton had last seen Lonnie Ali in 2019, during a previous visit to Louisville as the Louisville International Airport was renamed in Ali’s honor to the Louisville Muhammed Ali International Airport. Just months ago, he didn’t know if he’d ever have the chance to see her again.
Singleton received his cancer diagnosis on July 24 of 2020 and in the approximately 2.5 years since, he endured quite literally the fight of his life. Singleton underwent chemotherapy to treat his cancer. He also needed to have his entire stomach surgically removed, something that would alter things for him obviously but still allow him to live a normal life.
He battled through it all in a way that would make his hero proud.
Singleton said Lonnie Ali gave him something truly special during this last visit.
“She has such a loving spirit,” Singleton said. “I ask God to continue taking good care of her health, like she took care of the champ. God bless her.”
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