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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/sports2/06/04/muhammad-ali-rtr_1.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Muhammad Ali (L) punches Richard Dunn while fighting for the WBC and WBA Heavyweight title in Munich, Germany May 24, 1976. Action Images/Sporting Pictures/Reuters File</div></figcaption></figure></div>Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal was one of the lucky Filipino fans who was able to meet Muhammad Ali when the boxer was in the Philippines in 1975.Macalintal, who was still a law student back then, said it was the time when Ali was preparing for his historic &quot;Thrilla in Manila&quot; bout against Joe Frazier.&quot;I had the golden opportunity of meeting him personally noong September 22, 1975. I was not a lawyer then. Kasi mayroon akong collection ng mga fight when he was still known as Cassius Clay. May scrapbook ako noon noong 1960s. Hindi pa siya champion noon,&quot; he said in an interview on DZMM on Saturday.When Ali came to Manila, Macalintal decided to have his scrapbook autographed.&quot;I was about 27 years old noon. I was a working student, nag-aaral ko sa UE College of Law,&quot; he said. &quot;Sabi ko papaano ko mapapapirma sa kanya ito sa kanya. On his own, he went to the Hilton Hotel where the boxing superstar was billeted.&quot;Wala pang security problem tayo noon eh so anytime pwede mong tanungin kung sino ang staff members nya... Pinakita ko ang scrapbook ko.&quot;Macalintal said that he was fortunate to convince Ali&#x27;s lawyer, named only as Griffin, to bring the scrapbook to the heavyweight fighter.<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/sports2/06/04/muhammad-ali2-rtr.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Muhammad Ali is seen cuddling his daughters Laila, (L ) and Hana (R) at a Hotel in London, Britain December 19, 1978. Action Images/Sporting Pictures/Reuters File</div></figcaption></figure></div>&quot;[But] I cannot promise you any audience, any autograph,&quot; the lawyer told him.After 20 minutes, Griffin came running back to him.&quot;Sabi nya sa kin &#x27;Hey guy, there&#x27;s someone to see ya.&#x27; Sabi ko &#x27;where&#x27;s my album?&#x27; &#x27;It&#x27;s with him,&#x27; sabi niyang ganun,&quot; said Macalintal.They went to Ali&#x27;s room and he saw the legend siting on the couch. He was a large guy with a pair of big hands, remembered Macalintal. &quot;Sabi nya sa kin, &#x27;You know, I really appreciate what you have done. In other countries they only do this when they know I am coming. But your album is authentic,&#x27;&quot; he remembered Ali saying. &quot;&#x27;What do you like to do with your album?&#x27;&quot;The young Macalintal said all he wants is an autograph.So the boxer went over the scrapbook and saw some of his old pictures.&quot;&#x27;I looked pretty here, am I?&#x27;&quot; quipped the boxer. Ali then signed about seven pages of news clips.After signing autographs, Ali invited Macalintal to watch a movie.&quot;Akala ko manonood kami ng sine sa labas, &#x27;yun pala may dala siyang projector yung 8mm film, &#x27;yung pinanood niya Lee Marvin. Wala pang betamax, VHS, DVD wala pang ganun. They set up the projector at manonood kami,&quot; he said.After watching the movie, the boxer asked if he wants to take a picture with him.But Macalintal didn&#x27;t have any camera with him. So the boxer phoned his lawyer and gave instructions.&quot;Sabi n&#x27;ya, &#x27;Griffin, Romy will be at the Folk Arts tomorrow, I want you to accompany him to the dressing room after my training,&quot; said Macalintal.When news spread about his meeting with Ali, he became an instant star in school. &quot;I was the talk of the town,&quot; proudly said Macalintal.But he said he wouldn&#x27;t forget how he was accommodated by a superstar like Ali.<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/sports2/06/04/muhammad-ali3-rtr.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Muhammad Ali (R) (formerly Cassius Clay), is seen here with his trainer Angelo Dundee ahead of his fight with Ernie Terrell at the Astrodome, Houston, Texas, U.S. Action Images/Sporting Pictures/Reuters File</div></figcaption></figure></div>&quot;The way he entertained me, accepted me and admitted me to his room, palatandaan yun na deep within his heart may pusong makatao ang taong &#x27;yun.&quot;Ali engaged in some of the world&#x27;s most monumental fights that made him one of the most beloved sports icons. He passed away after being admitted to a hospital in Phoenix due to respiratory problems. He was 74.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/" target="_blank">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal was one of the lucky Filipino fans who was able to meet Muhammad Ali when the boxer was in the Philippines in 1975.

When Macalintal met 'The Greatest'

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When Macalintal met 'The Greatest'

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Published Jun 04, 2016 11:31 PM PHT

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